I am Extreley suprised by the following statement in the article:
But in the meantime, investigators will try to determine who is responsible for the nail devices and whether they were buried on the trail easement or private property.
What would be illegal on the trail may not necessarily be illegal on private property, he said.
I don't find that to be anywhere near a true statement. I KNOW if my dog bites a child who comes into my yard, I am the one responsible and can be sued. I would believe that if I put booby traps in my yard, I would be responsible if anybody stepped on them. What the heck are we talking about. Since when did Tehachapi Law Enforcement start turning a blind eye to a definite criminal activity?
I live in what has historically been an equestrian area.We have dirt roads and horse trails that have been used until recently, exclusively by horses. Lately a new influx of people have moved into our quiet equestrian neighborhood with their dirt bikes and ATVs. Now instead of horses going up and down our dirt roads we have dirt bikes screaming back and forth kicking up dust and noise that invades the solitude that most of us in this area moved here for.Horse owners have been displaced by dirt bikes because the two don't mix.Most horses spook when a loud dirt bike screams by at dangerous speeds.Do the bike riders have a right to ride on mostly private roads? No they don't.
Does it stop them? No it doesn't.
I have my property fenced off but some don't.Back to the statement that what is illegal on public trails may not be illegal on private property.I find this to absolutely true.I am not codoning booby traps but I can understand the frustration of private property owners that have inconsiderate dirt bike riders who feel intitled to take their off road vehicles anywhere they can including on designated hiking trails or private property.
