Kopefire, the leash laws aren't for people like you. I manage a park and hike the trail system just about every day. I've learned to carry a ski pole and pepper spray for the idiots who enjoy watching their pit bull terriors, terrorize folks. (happened to me twice) The morons who let their poodles run free....and end up in a neighborhood, lost. The dorks who let their German shepards bound down the trail and jump on unsuspecting hikers. The leash laws get ignored just the same...."oh, he won't bite"...yet. People reserve the right to remain stupid, I guess.
I do hike with a friend accompanied by a fully/multi certified SAR dog. A different story all together. This dog has more brains and manners than 80% of the humans who visit parks and uses no leash. That said, he and owner probably represent .0001% of dogs/owners. The leash laws are for the remainder.