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Cyclist dies after collision with loose dog on river trail in Durango. ( Colorado )
Durango Herald ^ | May 9, 2025 | Jessica Bowman

Posted on 05/09/2025 6:05:28 PM PDT by george76

Police, animal control seek to address leash law violations..

...

The recent deaths of a cyclist and a beloved family pet, both the result of off-leash dogs, have renewed calls for greater accountability.

...

A Durango man who fell off his bike and later died from his injuries while apparently trying to avoid a loose dog on the Animas River Trail has reignited calls for pet owners to leash their animals in public spaces.

The collision involving the bicyclist and off-leash dog occurred about 2:30 p.m. March 12 on a section of the river trail near the skate park and Schneider Park.

Steven Miller, 76, fell off his bike and hit his head. He died two weeks later from his injuries.

While Durango police have not determined whether the dog or cyclist initiated the collision, officers emphasized that the presence of an off-leash dog was the central issue.

“I just want to be absolutely clear that if anybody tries to make the argument that this is the cyclist’s fault, it was not,” said Durango Police Cmdr. Jacob Dunlop. “This was a dog-at-large issue, and that is what we’re trying to resolve.”

Witnesses said the dog’s owner initially yelled at Miller before realizing how seriously he was injured. The dog’s owner then left the scene, saying he was going to get help, but never returned.

Police have not been able to identify a suspect. The dog was described by witnesses as a medium-sized blond Labrador or pit bull terrier.

Durango police have kept the death and its circumstances under wraps, in part because the investigation remains active and out of respect for Miller’s widow, Laura Miller.

...

But Miller’s death has forced the city, police department and animal control to reconsider their approach to leash law enforcement.

“It is a problem. It’s a problem every year. But it seems like it’s getting worse, because it seems like we’re getting more people and more dogs,” said Durango Police Chief Brice Current.

In addition to Miller’s death, multiple incidents of off-leash dogs attacking other dogs have been reported in the past several weeks.

A post on the social media site Nextdoor said a Jack Russel terrier required numerous stitches after being attacked by an off-leash dog last weekend on Animas Village Drive. A week earlier, a dog died after a similar attack on the river trail.

A close friend of the owners of the deceased pet, Melani Woodruff, confirmed the death. She said the owners are devastated by the loss – a tragedy she said was easily preventable.

Woodruff owns two dogs and said she is no stranger to the widespread disregard many Durango pet owners show for leash laws.

She no longer walks her dogs in the parks by the river because she encountered at least one off-leashed dog every time.

“It only takes a few seconds for a dog to be killed,” Woodruff said.

She posted about the attack on Nextdoor and received more than 100 comments from Durango residents expressing similar concerns and questioning the city’s response.

“The situation is that our enforcement is not enforced,” Woodruff said. “Our enforcers don’t enforce. And so that leads to nonchalant, arrogant attitudes.”

City Code says it is unlawful for dogs to be in public parks, playgrounds, trails, recreational facilities or city-owned open spaces without a leash, which must not exceed 6 feet in length.


TOPICS: Conspiracy; Outdoors; Pets/Animals; Sports
KEYWORDS: bicycles; diedsuddenly; dog; dogs; pitbulls
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To: george76

Begging pardon; but, I bet that cyclist could have just as easily hit a person hiking the trail.


21 posted on 05/09/2025 6:57:51 PM PDT by GingisK
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To: ProtectOurFreedom

Very doubtful.


22 posted on 05/09/2025 6:58:14 PM PDT by DesertRhino (2016 Star Wars, 2020 The Empire Strikes Back, 2025... RETURN OF THE JEDI...)
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To: ifinnegan

Durango is not Boulder.

Durango is like low-life central.

><

I’ll take Durango over Boulder.


23 posted on 05/09/2025 7:02:15 PM PDT by laplata (They want each crisis to take the greatest toll possible.)
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To: tumblindice

An “unleashed dog”? How about a uncontrolled bike? What is it with you people who cannot wait to vilify people for not having a probably well behaved pet throttled? What if that man had hit someone’s horse on that trial, instead of a dog; would that have been the horse owner’s fault? I ride in nature preserves, (MY HORSE), and I think bicycles have no business being there. An unleashed dog is no damn different than an unleashed child.


24 posted on 05/09/2025 7:02:33 PM PDT by Segovia
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To: george76
Steven Miller, 76, fell off his bike and hit his head. He died two weeks later from his injuries.

No helmet, I'll bet. It's such an easy way to improve your odds in even a low-speed crash.

25 posted on 05/09/2025 7:04:56 PM PDT by HartleyMBaldwin
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To: laplata

Boulder is lippie liberal central.


26 posted on 05/09/2025 7:06:23 PM PDT by ifinnegan (Democrats kill babies and harvest their organs to sell)
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To: george76
Witnesses said the dog’s owner initially yelled at Miller before realizing how seriously he was injured. The dog’s owner then left the scene, saying he was going to get help, but never returned.

Cowardly a-hole.

27 posted on 05/09/2025 7:08:54 PM PDT by BookmanTheJanitor
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To: george76

There’s trouble in paradise and heaven’s not the same....


28 posted on 05/09/2025 7:12:22 PM PDT by Getready (Wisdom is more valuable than gold and harder to find. )
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To: george76

Big article with a lot of useless details yet no mention if the rider was wearing a helmet.

S**t happens, be it a dog, pothole, loose gravel, etc. Be interesting to see if the victim wore a helmet.


29 posted on 05/09/2025 7:18:14 PM PDT by dragnet2 (Diversion and evasion are tools of deceit)
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To: T.B. Yoits

30 posted on 05/09/2025 7:19:52 PM PDT by T.B. Yoits
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To: ProtectOurFreedom; DesertRhino; jimfree

I have to agree with others here. I doubt this guy was wearing a helmet and riding slowly.

These people bike like they going to the fire not 70 year old women on tricycles biking for fun.


31 posted on 05/09/2025 7:22:56 PM PDT by Morgana ( “Abortion is the ultimate exploitation of women.” — Alice Paul 🇺🇸 🇷🇺 )
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To: george76

Regardless of breed, dogs in public off leash cause endless problems. Even death, like in this incident.

Most people who allow their dogs to run around off leash in public are pretty much mental cases and assorted tiny brained blockheads.


32 posted on 05/09/2025 7:25:49 PM PDT by dragnet2 (Diversion and evasion are tools of deceit)
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To: george76

I think this sort of thread is interesting. Rather than TDS it’s BDS. In their mind all bikers should be nuked. Why? It’s just as illogical and insane as TDS. Lol, guess we all have our hot buttons.


33 posted on 05/09/2025 7:27:51 PM PDT by 556x45
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To: tumblindice

I’m a 10 minute walk from arguably the best off-leash dog beach anywhere. From Juno Beach up to Jupiter.

It takes responsible owners and a commitment from volunteers and donors (for the poop bags, etc.) but it works. I’m at the beach a lot and I’ve never had a bad encounter w/ a dog or an owner.

I don’t even own a dog, but dogs shouldn’t be on leashes all the time. Dog Parks serve the same purpose as our beach - let them run a bit.


34 posted on 05/09/2025 7:28:43 PM PDT by FLNittany
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To: dragnet2; HartleyMBaldwin

I’ve worn a helmet for years, but noticed that in Amsterdam no one wears a helmet beyond childhood. They maintain that requiring helmets would discourage bike riding. Last time I was there I saw one girl riding on a bike with one hand and steering another bike beside her with the other. No helmet. I know I couldn’t do it, but she pulled it off.


35 posted on 05/09/2025 7:29:20 PM PDT by Not_Who_U_Think (=)
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To: george76

I hate those entitled dog owners who think little fluffy is so cute and well behaved and doesn’t need to be on a leash. My wife and I powerwalk and we used to go to a nice park and walk trails that are clearly marked as requiring dogs to be on leashes. Probably about 50% of those walking their dogs ignore it. It got to the point that if a dog ran up in front of me for treats or pets or a greeting or whatever I won’t slow down. I’ll keep walking the same pace and if the dog get s caught under my feet too bad.


36 posted on 05/09/2025 7:30:36 PM PDT by DouglasKC
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To: Fungi

Agreed.


37 posted on 05/09/2025 7:38:16 PM PDT by logi_cal869 (-cynicus the "concern troll" a/o 10/03/2018 /!i!! &@$%&*(@ -')
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To: ifinnegan

The People’s Republic of Boulder.


38 posted on 05/09/2025 7:38:59 PM PDT by laplata (They want each crisis to take the greatest toll possible.)
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To: Morgana

The man on the bike was 76 years old. I doubt if he was going like a bat out of hell.


39 posted on 05/09/2025 7:40:35 PM PDT by laplata (They want each crisis to take the greatest toll possible.)
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To: george76
Steven Miller, 76, fell off his bike and hit his head. He died two weeks later from his injuries.

Loose dog or no loose dog - WEAR A HELMET!

40 posted on 05/09/2025 7:43:22 PM PDT by Rummyfan ( In any war between the civilized man and the savage, support the civilized man.)
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