I am absolutely against increased pet access at local, state, and national parks. Already there are too many unleashed dogs running up to me when I'm hiking in Loch Raven and Patapsco. If it were actually LEGAL, it would be out of control!

And the dogs running up to you do what that's so offensive? I am absolutely in favor of increased access for pets. There are many taxpaying Marylanders who don't use these parks because the "absolutists" have ruled the roost in all parks. The animalphobes still have the majority of parkland at their domination. They should just frequent the pet banned areas. Plus, if it is legal in some areas, may labs won't be constant outlaws while enjoying a walk.

I love dogs. I have a dog, but I completely understand folks not being keen on being in the company of potentially unleashed animals. As a dog owner I know that, while I love my dog, not everyone thinks she is cute. There are a lot people with real animal phobias out there and they absolutely trump my right to have my dog roam as she pleases. There is one thing (especially since I'm a runner) that I can't stand, and that's when some arrogant fellow dog owner tries to convince me that their dog would never hurt anyone – as their dog is in the process running me down. Dogs are animals and animals are unpredictable. If more folks were better dog owners (i.e. - walking and controlling your dog on a leash, not allowing your pooch to aggressively approach strangers and cleaning up after your dog) then animal owners on the whole would not have to do so much fighting to get dogs more access to public places.

I am very much in favor of more canine access to all state parks (but not cats, snakes, birds, etc.!). It must be made very clear that ALL canines must be leashed at ALL times. Dogs must also be properly trained and controlled. Dogs that are aggressive will be asked to leave the park immediately. No more than two dogs per park visitor permitted.
Also, visitors with dogs must pick up waste. To help facilitate this, the park should install more pick up bag stations AND drop off boxes (Connecticut State Parks have a pole with the dispenser and attached to the base of the pole is a large box with a small lid clearly marked for pet waste only. Bags are biodegradable.)

Also, canines and owners should be allowed on trails but also, canines need to be able to cross over areas to go from one trail to another. This is one of the biggest problems I find with the more complex parks with multiple trail systems. How to park, hike down one trail, but then, how do you get across a "restricted" area to another trail to continue your hike? We need "transit" rights across areas that otherwise would not be open. Along the same line, sometimes, you can only park in a lot that is separated from the trail you need to go to.

Another issue I found is the ignorance of park staff on people with canines. They stop you when they should not. So even if you are crossing an area that is OK to cross (to, from, transiting to a trail) - if you stop to take a picture, drink water, or tie your shoe, if a park truck drives by, they tell you to get moving!

Last but not least - each park should have at least ONE picnic or sheltered day area where dogs are allowed! There are dozens of dog hiking groups and dog associations that would use these day areas, and pay fees, if only they could. This is a missed income opportunity.

I'm concerned less about the pets than I am about the behavior of their owner's. As an Ocean City native, I constantly see and step in pet owner's blatant disregard for leash laws and lack of common courtesy pet clean-up.
Let's not open up state parks to the same level of lack of concern for others.
As for Assateague Island State Park, don't want to present the opportunity for any animal to endanger the native ponies and sika deer.

I vote NO to increased pet access. Maybe in remote or isolated areas with LEASH laws enforced and poop-bags available @ parking lots. NO in Urban Parks...Patapsco, Sandy Point or Gunpowder or Assateague...DNR has Pet-OK Campgrounds now. Most Counties have Dog Parks now...(AA County for sure)

I absolutely support it. Walking the dog is a year-round recreational activity that takes place rain or shine, hot or cold. Running or biking is a legitimate recreational activity, just as much as walking the dog is. I'm glad the state parks are looking into it, and look forward to the day when Baltimore city parks adopt off-leash hours.

If I hear the ridiculous "dogs running up to me" tantrum one more time, I swear. Frankly, there are too many kids in the parks, what with the yelling and crying and eating dirt. Then again, at least *some parents are courteous and keep their kids on a leash...