Hey guys, does anyone know if there are standing regulations or rules in regards to dogs at RC flying events?. I thought there was something about 100% leash control or something. Maybe it was just a club thing I picked up somewhere...

It's most going to fall in that particular county. In my case the county our field is located has a leash law in all county parks. Because our field is located on parks and recreation property all the same rules apply the same as if we were at a kids playground. This also applies to the counties no smoking rule too.

It's up to the club!

Kurt

Dogs? Pets? I know that pets are some what of a problem. Not everyone likes your dog, my dog, or anyone else's dog. Even if it is in a low powered dog fight. People love their pets, with good reason. The key word is their pet. People love their pets and don't care for your pet most times.
I posted a story about a dog and a flying field. Some figured it was a funny story and made fun of my story. ( one of the reasons some don't care to post) The sad truth is the story was very true. A old friend of mind does investigative work hired me to help on a law suit. The suit involves model aviation and you guessed it, dogs. Our legal team had the land owner. The case was simple. The club had rules about pets. A pretty girl brought a dog to the field one Sunday. The entrance to the club had a sign posted no pets. The story begins with the dog bit someone. That someone sued everybody involved in the club. Now I said everybody. We worked on behalf of the land owner and the judge excused the land owner from the suit. The judges reason for this excuse was the club failed to live up to the contract on the lease of the land. My friend and I got called to testify, but never had to. Every member of that club was in court. What a mess.
I have no idea how it all turned out. That is how these things are in most cases. The thing I do know is there was a bunch of very upset people. People that was going about enjoying their flying and it turned into a bad dream. While doing case research I was surprised at the number of cases involving dogs. The only other story I have is about our old field. This is a hear say story. There was a nice guy that had a little dog and when the nice guy went to the field so did the dog. One day the club grouch stepped in a pile of dog stuff. The nice guy and the grouch got into what some would call a fight. We didn't see the nice guy, the grouch, or the dog for about a year. Is the story true, maybe. I do know I didn't see the dog, nice guy, or the grouch for a while.

In short its up to the club. (and possibly any legal restrictions they are under)

I can tell you from what happened at an event last year, gas engine + carbon prop + loose dog = bad

Boy, do I hear that!

One of our late club members often brought his dog, on a leash, when he wasn't flying. I guess the dog needed a place to use for a bathroom. Oh well.

For the most part, members are good about keeping dogs tied up at the field. Visitors, not so much.

I wouldn't make a dog sit & listen to our engines (or on electrics, the prop whine.) Doesn't seem fair.

Dave Olson

That's all good stuff guys, thanks for sharing.

I think that since we are working out a long term lease deal with the Corps of Engineers, it would be prudent to probably include some kind of leash rules or an outright ban on dogs on the site. Some of the membership are talking about putting on a fun fly and inviting the public.. I have seen what happens when the unknowing public bring their dogs out. I would rather stay home than try to fly with that sort of ruckus, nor would I want to have to go around and pick up the doo left behind by folks who are too ignorant or inconsiderate to pick it up themselves. Far be it from me to hope that people can act like good citizens.

We will see what the contract says when it is all drawn up I guess

I used to fly at a full-sized field in Yorkshire.

Some chap wandered across, with a Spaniel.

On landing, a light aircraft whacked the Spaniel with one of its main undercarriage legs. Undercarriage collapsed. Dog in pieces. Owner disappeared across the fields... never traced, afaik.

Multiple tragedy, really.

Someone had a male German Shepard at a control line contest in Rockford Illinois, around 1980. I don't recall if the dog was leashed, but he had perfect behavior and was no problem. When we were flying Goodyear racing, one of the airplanes lost a wheel on landing for a pit, and ended up upside down about halfway to the center of the circle. When the race was over, the other two airplanes down, the dog raced out to the downed airplane, lifted his leg and doused it. He immediately ran back to his owner. Everyone, including the owner of the airplane, thought it was hilarious.

Well, that's a much happier story than was mine.

I recall flying somewhere in Kent, about 25 years back. I was with a bloke who had a 1/3rd scale Camel ... which was pretty special in the mid-80s. Anyway, he used to carry this model about in a caravan. He also had a Blue Border Collie.

The only way he could load the model into the caravan was via the large rear window. And this was the method of unloading, too.

So, he dutifully passed the wing panels out of the window and I laid them on the ground.

Next thing, the bloody Collie launched itself out of the window and landed with a great thump ... smack on these wing panels.

As you can imagine, a great cry of anguish went up from inside caravan. The dog was lucky to escape with its life.

Buuuut, there was no damage done to the wings.

Somehow.

With respect to the OP, I can tell you that my two dogs always accompany me when I go flying. I don't see a problem with this, provided that reasonable care is taken.

When I arrive at the field, I first take the dogs for a good walk (it's a public field, with wooded areas and such-like). Once they've had the keen edges knocked off, the dogs are happy to sit in the car whilst I do some flying. Then, it's another walk and time for home.

There are unfortunate people who have no greater mental faculties than do my dogs ... and I wouldn't dream of denying them access to the field. Some of the guys like to play ball with my dogs; or perhaps share a sandwich. You can make it work, if you are sensible.

A Model Plane flying field needs a Dog about as much as a Turtle needs a set of Disc Brakes .............

And yes , I do own both a Dog and several (dozen ) Model Aircraft ...

At our club dogs are welcome but must be leashed and kept behind the pit area at all times. Owners are responsible for cleaning up after them as well.

Tara's Dad,
I have always enjoyed your post. We had a person quit the club because of his dogs. The poor fellow that is president took all the heat. What the good man did not understand is the rules about dogs and the field. The rule is born out of wildlife and live stock laws. I learned that if a dog is harassing live stock, the dog is fair game to be shot. Someone's pet verses someone's prize bull. If your dog is caught harassing wildlife, and especially endangered wildlife. The dog owner could be facing a fine or jail time. I love my dog. After some real bad experiences. Dogs and the public seem to come into conflict. Like smoking, more and more public places ban dogs. Our filed had a person bring her pet lizard. The thing was about two and a half feet long. One guy brought his pet snake. None of it worked out. Like a Federal Fish and Wildlife Officer explained. What do you mean about pets. I can assure you a eighty five pound Pit Bull is no fun to be around. That pooch was the man's pet.
By the way my dog is a Gray dog named Cannon. He weighs about ninety pounds. We rescued him. Yes, he is a PIT. We love Cannon. Not many people want their dog around Cannon. So if one person can bring his dog to the field. Can I bring Cannon? The problem as I see it. Is how do we say who can bring a dog and what kind. Could a person bring their pet alligator?
Back to disc brakes and turtles. I do think this is a subject that each club has to figure out. If they allowed dogs at our field I would bring Cannon. If they told me I couldn't bring Cannon, would it be fair for anyone else to bring their dog. I think if they allowed one kind of dog and not mind, well we would all find ourself in front of a judge. Would that help the club?

I enjoy it when people bring their dogs to the FF. The rewards of that freedom far outweigh the benefits of restrictions against it IMO But with all that being said, such freedoms in no way absolves the dog owner of responsibilities of having their dog(s) there... It really is the(that) person that matters in the end...

Koast, our rule is pretty simple. Any dog that shows aggression towards a person or another dog must immediately be removed from the field and is no longer welcome. As long as they get along well all are welcome. Pits have a bad reputation because so many have been bred and trained for aggressive traits, but I've also known many that are some of the sweetest, most gentle and loving dogs you could ever ask to have. It's how they were raised.

If it comes down to a situation like you describe for our club then we'd most likely ban all dogs rather than single out a particular dog or breed. Since I'm on the Board of Directors for the club I can pretty much guarantee that's how it would be handled. We won't ask a member to forego a privilege others are free to enjoy but will revoke that privilege for all instead. It's the only fair way to handle it.

BTW, both of our dogs are pound puppies and both are as sweet as can be. Can't imagine life without 'em! Both stay home when I go to the field, though, since they're inside dogs and not used to the wide open spaces where we live.

We have no dog rule at our club. Only one member brings his dog a yorkie. All that dog does is visit everybody and want to sit in your lap. When he fly's he tells the dog to go to the car and sit. the dog waits until he's done and then gets out.
I have dogs but don't take them with me. Don't want to have to watch them and fly too. Dennis

Very reasonable and will work fine.

This is the sentence you commonly read in a story about how someone's Pit just ate a 5 year olds face off.

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No dogs are allowed at our field for insurance reasons. Even though most dogs are friendly it is too easy for a playful dog to trip someone who is focused on flying and not looking for dogs behind them.

I like dogs-I have two but what I really hate is when someone brings a dog to the flying field and he ties it off and it barks for hours while he is visiting everywhere else but where he tied his dog off, almost as bad when you have the dogs that chase airplanes on landing or jumping around in the pit area around parked models.

Dogs are fine, just don't like them at the fly field. We have several that bring dogs and it is very annoying. One yaks constantly and the other two are busy keeping the leashes extended Other than that it is not the end of the world, just aggravating mostly. I have heard several comments about the dogs and it seems from background comments that the consensus is that others wished folks owuld not bring dogs.

To me we come to fly RC planes and not come to bring our pets. I don't bring my dog out of respect to others there. Again, not the end of the world just distractions and for some respect to others is more important thing.

so much for the no-dog rule. there is always some one who thinks the rules dont apply to them

Then there's always someone who can't comprehend what is written...........

<span style="font-size: medium; "><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; ">Care to elaborate on this ?</span></span>
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