Play by the rules or pay. That could be the happy ending with a “lesson learned” from California’s Joshua Tree National Park. Campground visitors reported their traveling companion pooch missing. The rest of the story? Park rangers rescue lost dog and owners get fined.
Pooch stuck on rock ledge
On Saturday, June 8, the owners reported their dog had vanished earlier that day. On Sunday, someone reported a dog stuck on a rock formation near Jumbo Rocks Campground. Rangers found the dog and, sure enough, it was the same missing pooch.
Rangers and a Search and Rescue team dispersed to assess the issue. The dog was decidedly stuck on the ledge. The poor animal was dehydrated, compounding the problem. Not surprising, as on Saturday when the dog went missing, the high temperature was recorded at 104.
The rescue team was able to befriend the dog with water and lifted it off the ledge. Once off the ledge and out of harm’s way, the local animal control service picked the dog up. The owners were probably thrilled to receive a call that their dog had been found. But on the other side of the coin, a release from the park says, “Park rangers issued the owners a violation notice.”
Park rangers rescue lost dog and owners get fined — insult to injury?
Was this a case of adding insult to injury? Pets must be kept under confinement or on a leash at all times in all national parks. Leashed or not, in Joshua Tree National Park, pets aren’t allowed on hiking trails. That rule protects both park wildlife—and the pets. While the air temperature of 104 is bad enough, the Park Service adds average ground temperatures of 120 degrees are not uncommon at Joshua.
As to the fine? We’re waiting for word from Joshua Tree on this one. However, another National Park warned visitors that off-leash violations there could net a court summons and/or a $150 fine. That’s a lot of dog treats.
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Hope Animal Control can add fines as well. Owners should be happy to pay fines and costs to get their dog back.
Whatever the fine was, it would not be nearly enough to pay for the actual costs of employing Search & Rescue for this mission I don’t feel sorry for the dog owner – Play stupid games, win stupid prizes
If you break the rules you have to accept the consequences.
They are lucky it didn’t die. Way too hot for the poor pup.
Thank you, Russ and Tina! 🙂 Hmm, … I guess the owners couldn’t construct a plausible story whereby the dog ended up on the ledge despite them following all park rules, huh? Oh well, guess they have to “pay the piper.” Seems an appropriate fine at least covers the costs of recovering the dog. Thanks again and safe travels! 🙂
The fine should have been doubled.
If they are true dog lovers, they are probably ecstatic to have their baby back and understand the fines.
IMO, the fine should stand. As the dog dad to two rambunctious fur boys who love to travel, I would never have allowed either off leash nor is there is it even conceivable I would have left that park until I had found my dog.
I found a lot dog owners don’t follow the rules regardless of state/national park or private campground. From incessant barking to not picking up dog waste to letting the dogs off leash, we’ve seen it all. The entitlement mentality is readily apparent! Wish ALL violaters could be fined.
$150 isn’t nearly a big enough fine. Not only “pocket change” for most, what about the search & rescue costs?
As a native Californian, dog owner and someone that frequents this park.. I would say that fine isn’t high enough.
If this is the picture of the Doberman, he has a CHOKE CHAIN on. Thank goodness he didn’t get strangled. A black dog in the dessert makes total sense?
Does the JT park allow horses/mules on trails? If not the person with the animal be fined more than the dog owner because the size of the dog is much larger than the dog.
also, if the shoes of the rescuer are untied, they should get a fine. Do you know ALL the details of others and the owner trying to find the dog?
Should be thrilled to only pay $150 for a rescued pet.