Off leash dogs in Rock Creek Park. What to say?

[Anonymous]

I don't get it. Just follow the law.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You all impossible. If my dog bothers you, it should be on a leash. If it doesn't it 's ok for it not to be. But the people on here are clearly going to be bothered by any dog that isn't in a lead whether it runs right by you or not. So this is pointless.

Nope. It's not okay. The law requires that you leash your dog in a National Park.

[Anonymous]

Go put a leash on a deer or squirrel.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous



Go put a leash on a deer or squirrel.

What are you saying? Your dog is a wild animal?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Go put a leash on a deer or squirrel.

Remember, the Park Service is shooting deer in Rock Creek Park.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Amazon has a wonderful product called Liquid Ass. It smells like 100 putrified skunks. It is perfect for "marking" unleashed dogs. To those owners who have totally "awesome" dogs that are let off leash, hope you enjoy.

This sounds great!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have dog parks in DC. There are plenty of places dogs can go off leash.

Otherwise known as "poop pens."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:i have a wireless leash too. works better in many ways that a regular leash.

It's like steering a drone dog.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've been bothered a lot by off leash dogs in RCP.

Two weeks ago my five year old was charged and chased about 20 yards by an off leash dog.

Last weekend we were walking the same trail and EVERY dog we saw was off leash. Some of the owners leashed their dog when they saw us, but most did not. I asked a few; some did, some just ignored me.

I don't want to mace anyone's dog! That's awful. But it's extremely ill-mannered and irresponsible to walk your dog off leash in the park.

I'm now going to start calling in unleashed dogs to the park police; I urge others to do so as well. The number for the Rock Creek station is 202 426 7716. There's also a number posted at the trailhead we use; not sure if it's this number or not.

Thanks for the phone number. It's going in my speed dial.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've been bothered a lot by off leash dogs in RCP.

Two weeks ago my five year old was charged and chased about 20 yards by an off leash dog.

Last weekend we were walking the same trail and EVERY dog we saw was off leash. Some of the owners leashed their dog when they saw us, but most did not. I asked a few; some did, some just ignored me.

I don't want to mace anyone's dog! That's awful. But it's extremely ill-mannered and irresponsible to walk your dog off leash in the park.

I'm now going to start calling in unleashed dogs to the park police; I urge others to do so as well. The number for the Rock Creek station is 202 426 7716. There's also a number posted at the trailhead we use; not sure if it's this number or not.

Thanks for the phone number. It's going in my speed dial.

Handy number to have. The "drone" dogs with electric signal collars work based on trainability and temperment of the dog. I've known people with molosser breeds [pits, boxers] where invisible fence did not work. Same for beagles/hounds. The drone collar resulted in aggression of a pit and a trainer said it was not breed appropriate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have not issue with dogs off leash as long as they mind their own business or are friendly.

Me neither.

[Anonymous]

anybody who harms a dog by spraying them pepper spray or marking then odor is subject to animal cruelty laws. If you are doing it out of spite, not defending yourself, you may be arrrest d and prosecuted. It's not the dog's fault if the owner is irresponsible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:anybody who harms a dog by spraying them pepper spray or marking then odor is subject to animal cruelty laws. If you are doing it out of spite, not defending yourself, you may be arrrest d and prosecuted. It's not the dog's fault if the owner is irresponsible.

Liquid Ass. http://www.amazon.com/Liquid-Ass-Mister/dp/B000OCEWGW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1423837811&sr=8-1&keywords=liquid+ass

Because your pet is not the center of the universe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:anybody who harms a dog by spraying them pepper spray or marking then odor is subject to animal cruelty laws. If you are doing it out of spite, not defending yourself, you may be arrrest d and prosecuted. It's not the dog's fault if the owner is irresponsible.

No one is advocating just going up to dogs and spraying them.

But if a dog comes up to you, or even near you, especially unleashed, you are entitled to pepper spray the dog. Yes, it's not the dog's fault it has an irresponsible owner, but pepper spraying a dog is a recommended and justifiable course of action by animal control and park police.

You do not need to wait until a dog jumps on you or bites you to spray it. If it comes near you, you will never be arrested or prosecuted for taking preventative measures to protect yourself. It's not up to me or someone else to wait and figure out if your dog is "friendly" or not. It doesn't matter. It's an owner's sole responsibility to control their animal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:anybody who harms a dog by spraying them pepper spray or marking then odor is subject to animal cruelty laws. If you are doing it out of spite, not defending yourself, you may be arrrest d and prosecuted. It's not the dog's fault if the owner is irresponsible.

This is completely not true. If you are approached by an off leash dog in an area where they are supposed to be on leash by law you can spray it regardless of temperament. The burden is on the owner to have their dog on leash and under their control (which is problem with retractable leashes) at all times. The burden is not on the law abiding person to discern temperament of dog before spraying a harmless spray to keep dog away.