I too have lived in Portola Valley for a long time, 38 years. First of all, as a man, I am afraid of dogs that are not on leash, so your sexist comment about women being afraid of unleashed dogs is way out of line, for someone who eludes to being so open minded.

Dogs are a nuisance, and those of us who don't want them around have that right too. your analogy between Dogs and Cars is ad hominem, and makes little sense.

Bottom line, domestic animals are just that, domestic. and Dogs are the most domestic of them all, please keep them on your property.

Why is the public asked to compromise when someone is breaking the law? It is against the law to walk your dog off leash, period unless in a off leash area. The analogy to drivers is ridiculous. Obey the law people. You love your dog, great, don't disrespect the law.

I have a small dog that I would love to walk on Coal Mine ridge. But I do NOT believe the existing law should be changed. There are so many trails where my dog and I are both allowed that some trails should be left to people alone. Before a vote is taken, there should also be a survey of the current illegal dogs on the trail to see if the dogs' owners are Portola Valley residents or (as I was for many years) non locals looking for a pretty place to take their dog out.

The law is fine the way it is. I have known people who were either attacked by dogs defending their turf (which included the public road) in residential Portola Valley, or bowled over by "friendly" dogs on trails. I do not think people should be run off coal mine ridge because of their legitimate fear or antipathy toward dogs.

Dogs are not taxpayers, and Portola Valley residents who do pay taxes and do not want to be harassed by dogs should have some trails where they can enjoy themselves.

The only trail in our neighborhood where one can legally walk their dog on leash is the Thornedyke Nature Preserve. Dogs are prohbited on all other trails. They are also prohibited on the Beaches of San Mateo County. I am not in favor of walking dogs off leash. This is mainly for the safety of the dog. Dogs can get lost very easily when they are off leash. I do not see that anyone should be inconvenienced by an on leash dog

I'd agree if everyone would follow the rules, but I can't tell you how many times I'm out hiking and a big dog runs up to me with no owner in sight, then a few minutes later the owner shows up always saying "he wouldn't bite anyone" yeah right, we've heard that before. The main problem, like many others in Portola Valley, is that everyone thinks they are special or above the law, and things like leash laws just don't hit their radar.

no dogs, keep them away, or PV can start a dog park, then all you dog lovers can get together and play in the poop, it's really not my thing.

I have walked my dog on leash on neighborhood trails for 5 years, often meeting unleashed dogs and their owners along the way. No problems to date.

There will always be differences of opinion on the dog issue, and there is basically no way to resolve it. The most democratic way to handle the dog trail problem would be to have a vote on who wants to have dogs on the trails, and if 45% of the voters want dogs on trails, then (roughly) 45% of the trail miles in Portola Valley should be open to dogs.

my dogs don't like the leash, so i leave them be free and happy.

don't listen to this people, especially the first one, the one who says to keep your dogs at home, she's crazy.