Altercation prompts reminder from police for hikers to keep dogs on leash

IVINS, Utah — Washington County Police said two hikers got into it on a trail in Ivin on Tuesday over a dog that was off-leash. Police reminded hikers that dogs must be kept on a leash while recreating.

According to a press release from the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, a man and his dog hiking the Tukupetsi Trailhead together came across a man in his 70s openly carrying a firearm.

Police said the armed man threatened the hiker with the gun, asking him to put the dog on the leash.

The man denied pointing the gun at the hiker but said he did prepare himself in case the dog attacked.

Based on the interviews and evidence collected, the police did not have sufficient grounds to bring charges against anyone.

The sheriff’s office took the altercation as a chance to remind hikers in Washinton County that dogs must be on-leash at all times. Anyone not following the ordinance runs the risk of having their dog impounded.

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