Breckenridge, Colorado – A confrontation on a trail in Colorado turned violent this week, resulting in a broken ski pole and a summons for assault. The incident centered on a dispute over dog leashing etiquette on public trails.
The incident occurred on a trail in unincorporated Breckenridge, nearby the world-famous Breckenridge Ski Resort. According to the Summit County Sheriff’s Office, a woman skiing with her dog on-leash was approached by a couple whose dog was roaming free.
The woman reported that the unleashed dog approached her in an “unfriendly manner.” To protect herself and her pet, she used her ski pole as a barrier to keep the dogs apart. The male owner of the off-leash dog admitted that he was angry seeing the woman strike his dog with her pole, but his version of the physical struggle different quite heavily from the victim’s.
Both the woman and an uninvolved bystander state that the man intentionally struck the woman with his ski pole, breaking it over her in the process. The man, however, claimed he merely “slipped and fell,”, causing his ski pole to snap. He denied hitting the woman. He did reportedly shout at the woman “not to hit his dog again” during the encounter
Despite the claim that he accidentally fell, the Summit County Sheriff’s Office issued the man a summons for third-degree assault. The woman denied needing immediate medical attention. The case is now headed to court to determine the final penalty for the alleged ski pole attack.
Backcountry Rule of Thumb: Dogs are allowed on a lot of backcountry trails throughout Colorado, but owners are usually required to keep them leashed. Even in areas where off-leash dogs are permitted, owners are required to keep their dogs pets 10 feet and under voice control.
Dog Leash Laws for Summit County, Colorado
- Unleashed dogs must remain within 10 feet of their owner and under voice control.
- If voice control cannot be maintained, dogs must remain on-leash.
- Animals must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet in length on bike paths.
- If an off-leash dog approaches your on-leash dog, attempt to turn around and walk away. Do not let them meet.
- If they do meet, stay calm. Yelling and pulling on the leash can spark a dog fight.
- If a fight does occur, do not pull on your dogs leash or put your hands in the fight. Yell for help, or kick the attacking dog if needed.
- Leash laws very by town, county, and state.
