I agree 100% with you-dogs and cats are pets, and pets (and their messes) should remain on your property, and not happily running loose in the meadows, especially where there is livestock nearby-that is just about any rural area here. The fine in this county for an unleashed dog is astronomical, with good reason.
One of the biggest issues when hiking in National Forests, including wilderness areas, are livestock. Lots more cowpies than dog poop and they trash out riparian habitat and streams. Don't even think about drinking from them without filtering or iodine tablets.