Attack Dog Encampment @ Lake Isabella!

[scott]

Great Winds over Memorial Weekend at Lake Isabella,CA from Thursday to Monday(20-35mph)!

Unfortunately, all of the lake side access was very crowded (to be expected).
Access between vehicles were made difficult by others, but still manageable.
People bring their dogs (50%) and some cleaned up after them and most did not.
They should pick up the dog do-do, because what is laid down today, you may be swimming in tomorrow because of changing lake levels. You would be surprised
at the amount of bacteria that exists !

However, one disturbing situation has developed that is not wise for those,
even unknowingly, participate in it. It can lead to serious criminal & civil
lawsuits to ALL involved.

Many of us have heard of Attack Dogs in the City attacking others, outside of
their fenced area; now it is being brought to unrestricted camping areas. This
happened at Lake Isabella, at the ghetto rough camping section during the
Memorial Weekend.

Normal friends formed a loose courtyard area, but still easily accessible for
ingress & egress out of the Lake. However, someone brought an Attack Dog with
a long leash to attack others if they wandered too close to their trailers !

This is dangerous, ridiculous and completely unnecessary at the same time.
Dangerous to any child or adult wandering by (even with signs posted!),
Ridiculous & unnecessary, because their has never been any serious problems at Lake Isabella, (other than powered watercraft vs sail watercraft on the water),
in the last 21 years that I have been windsurfing at it.

But further than that, to the unknowing participants in the condoning
of having an Attack Dog, by simply helping form an encampment, they too,
will be dragged into the ensuing lawsuit that would happen because of
the Dog Attack. Deep pockets apply to all in California.

So, if you participate in this type of encampment, you risk being sued
for aiding and abetting, by allowing your friend to have his/her
Attack Dog or Aggressive Dog in the encampment.

Most dogs are simply afraid or curious about new people, and the
owner is actually glad to have someone else play with their dog,
since dogs usually demand more attention than windsurfers have
time for after exhausting ourselves on the water!

The Solution?
Just be friendly and allow easy access without an Attack Dog.
If you have an aggressive or misbehaving (i.e.,constant barking) dog,
leave it at home.

Or should I carry my pepper spray and/or stun gun just to get to
and from the lake safely?
I think I will bring it to the sites from now on.

Scott Carter
LA Windsurfing,
author of California
Windsurfing Sites &
Road Trip Book