Off leash dogs at public playgrounds – anyone tackled this problem?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Actually, the law is ...

Any dog is at large if it is outside the owner's premises and not leashed, unless it is a service dog, is in a dog exercise area designated by the Maryland National Capital park and Planning Commission, or is participating in an approved activity.

Any other animal (i.e., cat or livestock animal) is at large if it is outside the owner’s premises and not leashed or immediately responsive to verbal or non-verbal direction.


The "immediate" response is to "other animals" not dogs.

I thought this was about Fairfax/Arlington County. There's no law against dogs on school grounds in Maryland.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you sure the dogs are even allowed on school property? In Fairfax, no dogs are permitted on school grounds.

Same for Arlington.

I own two dogs but I always give people who let their dogs run loose on school property the what-for. I'm very loud and bold about it. Polite at first, but if I don't get immediate -- and I mean IMMEDIATE -- acquiescence, I'm dialing the nonemergency number for the police.

You're a peach.

Really? What am I supposed to do, live and let live? I do with a lot of things, but not dogs running lose on school property. Most of the time people who are that irresponsible also don't clean up after their dog. Also, they tend to think that rules don't apply to them. So, I make certain they learn that the rules do, in fact, apply to them.

I've only had to do this twice, thankfully. Most people have wised up. In both cases, the police arrived. Instructed the offender the animal control warden was on its way. One person backtalked and got threatened with arrest.

What are you supposed to do? Oh, I don't know...find another personal crusade? Realize the police have actual crime to fight? And can I ask, what would be the worst thing about dogs running lose on school property? Is it a sign of End Times?

Hmm. Not sure why you think it's a "crusade". I really don't think about it too much. I just call 911, and let the cops do their job. Then go get a sandwich.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What are you supposed to do? Oh, I don't know...find another personal crusade? Realize the police have actual crime to fight? And can I ask, what would be the worst thing about dogs running lose on school property? Is it a sign of End Times?

You really have to ask this question?
Clearly you've never seen a dog attack a small child. Even just one bite.

[Anonymous]

I called animal control on the same group of people (dog walkers who let a bunch of dogs run off leash behind our house) a few times. The offenders would stop for a few months and then come back. Finally, I just went up to them and told them it wasn't an off leash park. That finally stopped them (knock on wood). Sometimes you just have to be the asshole.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you sure the dogs are even allowed on school property? In Fairfax, no dogs are permitted on school grounds.

Same for Arlington.

I own two dogs but I always give people who let their dogs run loose on school property the what-for. I'm very loud and bold about it. Polite at first, but if I don't get immediate -- and I mean IMMEDIATE -- acquiescence, I'm dialing the nonemergency number for the police.

You're a peach.

Really? What am I supposed to do, live and let live? I do with a lot of things, but not dogs running lose on school property. Most of the time people who are that irresponsible also don't clean up after their dog. Also, they tend to think that rules don't apply to them. So, I make certain they learn that the rules do, in fact, apply to them.

I've only had to do this twice, thankfully. Most people have wised up. In both cases, the police arrived. Instructed the offender the animal control warden was on its way. One person backtalked and got threatened with arrest.

What are you supposed to do? Oh, I don't know...find another personal crusade? Realize the police have actual crime to fight? And can I ask, what would be the worst thing about dogs running lose on school property? Is it a sign of End Times?

I sincerely hope that you or your children gets mauled by an off-leash dog. I really do.

[Anonymous]

I agree that sometimes you have to be the asshole. I'd rather someone think I'm an asshole than for my sweet, obedient, human-loving but not dog-friendly dog to bite a well-intentioned off-leash dog. I'll control mine, you control yours.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you sure the dogs are even allowed on school property? In Fairfax, no dogs are permitted on school grounds.

Same for Arlington.

I own two dogs but I always give people who let their dogs run loose on school property the what-for. I'm very loud and bold about it. Polite at first, but if I don't get immediate -- and I mean IMMEDIATE -- acquiescence, I'm dialing the nonemergency number for the police.

Thank you. And I mean that seriously.

(fellow dog owner who hates irresponsible dog owners who can't respect simple rules)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you sure the dogs are even allowed on school property? In Fairfax, no dogs are permitted on school grounds.

Same for Arlington.

I own two dogs but I always give people who let their dogs run loose on school property the what-for. I'm very loud and bold about it. Polite at first, but if I don't get immediate -- and I mean IMMEDIATE -- acquiescence, I'm dialing the nonemergency number for the police.

You're a peach.

+1000

[Anonymous]

OP, are you a Cabin John resident?

[Anonymous]

These posts, including some from dogowners, underscore just how reprehensible and entitled some dog people are. OP, are they even allowed on school property? Argh!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Actually, the law is ...

Any dog is at large if it is outside the owner's premises and not leashed, unless it is a service dog, is in a dog exercise area designated by the Maryland National Capital park and Planning Commission, or is participating in an approved activity.

Any other animal (i.e., cat or livestock animal) is at large if it is outside the owner’s premises and not leashed or immediately responsive to verbal or non-verbal direction.


The "immediate" response is to "other animals" not dogs.

I thought this was about Fairfax/Arlington County. There's no law against dogs on school grounds in Maryland.

The OP posted...

Mont Co law is very specific about how dogs cannot be unleashed UNLESS they are “immediately responsive to verbal or non-verbal direction.” [Sec 5-403]

So I thought it was Montgomery county Maryland.

[Anonymous]

I agree you don't want to start a war. It's is a very sensitive issue all around. I would start by determining when there is overlap that causes a problem. Many dog owners use the fields behind our school...mcps park property not officially school property...to let dogs run well before or after school starts and there are no children around. If there were dogs loose when the kids were trying to get to school then it is certainly reasonable to let the dog owners know in a friendly way that the kids aren't comfortable crossing the field when dogs are loose. As much as people are getting dramatic on this thread, the bottom line is that the vast majority of people are reasonable but are not mind readers. Dog owners truly might not know that their loose dog is causing anxiety in children or parents. I'd start with a friendly request and wouldn't pull out the big guns or threats or calls to police without assuming the best in people first.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One compromise is to establish specific hours for off-leash dog use. This is also a safety issue and I wouldn't hesitate to call the police.

Dog-owner here. I'm also pretty verbal in saying to others "You know, there's an off-leash dog park 1/2mi up the road. Dogs need to be leashed here. Thanks."
If they want to get belligerent, they can, but sometimes people violate the rules since they don't expect to be called on them.

We had a neighbor who used to NEVER leash her dog. He'd run up to us barking and growling but then stop 5 feet away. My leashed dogs were generally well behaved but would go nuts. Last time this happened I was four months pregnant. I went OFF on this woman, telling her in front of others that she had a documented track record of ignoring the law and ignoring the complaints. That I was pregnant and had harm been done I would have had her arrested and charged. I then proceeded to pull out my phone and call animal control, providing them the home address of this vicious animal and irresponsible owner.

She had always been rude before when people told her to leash her dog, but this time was mortified and apologetic. We've never seen her dog outside her yard again and it's now been almost 4yrs. People just think the rules don't apply to them.

Gosh pp. She could be dead inside of that house and her dog has been living off her remains for 4 years--but by god you told her. Life goes on, I suppose. Poor, half-eaten dog woman...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One compromise is to establish specific hours for off-leash dog use. This is also a safety issue and I wouldn't hesitate to call the police.

Dog-owner here. I'm also pretty verbal in saying to others "You know, there's an off-leash dog park 1/2mi up the road. Dogs need to be leashed here. Thanks."
If they want to get belligerent, they can, but sometimes people violate the rules since they don't expect to be called on them.

We had a neighbor who used to NEVER leash her dog. He'd run up to us barking and growling but then stop 5 feet away. My leashed dogs were generally well behaved but would go nuts. Last time this happened I was four months pregnant. I went OFF on this woman, telling her in front of others that she had a documented track record of ignoring the law and ignoring the complaints. That I was pregnant and had harm been done I would have had her arrested and charged. I then proceeded to pull out my phone and call animal control, providing them the home address of this vicious animal and irresponsible owner.

She had always been rude before when people told her to leash her dog, but this time was mortified and apologetic. We've never seen her dog outside her yard again and it's now been almost 4yrs. People just think the rules don't apply to them.

It is so great that you yelled at her. Neighbors should yell at people who do things they don't like. They should scream at them until the other person dies in sadness and shame. That's what my neighbors do.

[Anonymous]

I have dug a large pit on my property and placed some leaves over it for unleashed dogs to fall in. I believe we must shame or maim and kill rule breakers.