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New GGNRA Dog Restrictions Expected In 2017

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SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) -- Dog lovers who like to take their pets to the Golden Gate National Recreation Area will likely see major restrictions on where they can walk them on leash.

The new rules come after 15 years of contentious battles between the park service and dog groups.

Right now, dogs are mostly allowed to roam free along the 18 miles of beaches and trails.

That would likely change sometime next year, as locations like Crissy Field in San Francisco, Stinson Beach in Marin County and many others will only allow dogs off-leash on about one-third of those lands.

Some of the areas that will allow dogs on or off-leash now won't be able to at all.

"We are a park for everybody," GGNRA spokesperson Nathan Sergeant told KCBS. "We are proud of this plan that it seeks a balance between all of our visitor groups and that we will remain the most dog friendly park in the National Park Service."

The Park Service said there is about on average 300 reported incidents of people who said they were threatened by animals. But for years, dog lovers have vehemently opposed any restrictions.

More than 4,100 comments were sent to the Park Service earlier this year, most opposing the dog leash plans.

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