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

[Anonymous]

If you randomly spray my dog with pepper spray, I will spray you back.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you randomly spray my dog with pepper spray, I will spray you back.

And you'll get arrested and charged with assault.

By the way, your dog going up to someone, and that someone pepper spraying your dog, is not a "random spray." You should not be letting your dog just go up to people randomly. Your animal is your obligation to control, and is never, ever the responsibility of strangers.

[Anonymous]

Wow, this really hit a nerve with me too. I walk on the Little Falls Trail near the CC Trail in Bethesda and I am so freaking sick of people not leashing their dogs.

I love dogs, but I don't want to interact with yours when I'm on the trail! Twice I've been knocked down by dogs owned by totally clueless, unapologetic owners.

The other day I was on the trail and I saw a dog coming off leash and I stopped and the woman with the dog said, "Oh, she's probably going to jump on you."

WTF?!?!?

Put your dog on a leash, it's the law and for a reason. So damn inconsiderate. These trails are in majorly populated areas. They are not your personal backyards.

And yes, the laws apply to you too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you randomly spray my dog with pepper spray, I will spray you back.

And you'll get arrested and charged with assault.

By the way, your dog going up to someone, and that someone pepper spraying your dog, is not a "random spray." You should not be letting your dog just go up to people randomly. Your animal is your obligation to control, and is never, ever the responsibility of strangers.

I have spoken to the Maryland National Capital Parks Police abut this and you are well within your rights to defend yourself against a dog that is making unwanted bodily contact with you.

In fact, off leash is a minor fine, but if your dog physically contacts someone who doesn't want it, it's a huge fine -- like $500.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you randomly spray my dog with pepper spray, I will spray you back.

And you'll get arrested and charged with assault.

By the way, your dog going up to someone, and that someone pepper spraying your dog, is not a "random spray." You should not be letting your dog just go up to people randomly. Your animal is your obligation to control, and is never, ever the responsibility of strangers.

I have spoken to the Maryland National Capital Parks Police abut this and you are well within your rights to defend yourself against a dog that is making unwanted bodily contact with you.

In fact, off leash is a minor fine, but if your dog physically contacts someone who doesn't want it, it's a huge fine -- like $500.

"Physical contact" though doesn't mean a bite. If your dog comes right up to me, within inches or centimeters or sniffing, I will pepper spray it, no questions asked. I do not know your dog. I do not know you. I do not know what your dog is or isn't going to do, and it's not my responsibility to wait and find out. Owners and caretakers need to be in control of their animals at all times, in public spaces and parks (ie, any place other than your private fenced yard, or the designated boundaries of a dog park).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I will always walk my dogs off leash. They don't bother anyone. Sometimes I park illegally too.

And you are a dick.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you randomly spray my dog with pepper spray, I will spray you back.

I won't "randomly" spray your dogs if they are present in rock creek park someplace.

If however your dog charges me while I'm running on the Valley Trail and he doesn't back off when I command him to stand down he will get a face full. (Btw -- I'm not waiting around for you in this scenario to come lagging behind a minute later with your ear buds in, with assurances that Baxter is "friendly"). If you come at me, you'll get a face full too. Mine is stronger, shoots farther, and I've got better aim because I've been at this a lot longer than you have.

[Anonymous]

For OP whose DH was bitten by dogs (evne if just his shirt), why not call the police? That's a dog attack in my book.

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

I agree with PP. Call it in. Also, I would say don't be afraid to pepper spray an off leash dog you feel threatened by the dog.

I live on RCP and walk my dog on the trails daily. She is always leashed. When I see an unleashed dog, I have no problem channeling my former MS teacher self and telling them to zip it and leash that dog for the safety of everyone.

90% of the time, people are so surprised that they immediately leash. When they bring attitude, I bring attitude back. No tolerance. It's illegal and selfish and stupid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
I work for NPS, sometimes assigned to Rock Creek. I am on the trails mutiple times a week for my own recreation. (I'm also a dog owner but they don't come with me). So with that as your background, dcum, I will tell you that is unapologetically carry a cannister of a substance stronger than pepper spray in Rock Creek and I've used it on unleashed dogs over the years.

I carry it in case I need it to defend assault by another human. The substance is rated to take down a bear, and it easily takes out aggressive dogs.

http://www.amazon.com/Guard-Alaska%C2%99-Bear-Defense-Spray/dp/B0018XTIX8
http://www.cabelas.com/product/UDAP-CP-Magnum-Bear-Spray-with-Chest-Holster/741992.uts

I read a news article about a guy who came upon a pitbull attack and took off his belt -lassoed it - choked. There is a device pitbull afficiondos recommend called a break stick. That device is not on the you need lists when adopting from shelters and rescues. They recommend only using it on molosser or pit type dogs since other dogs have a more snap and bite mode.

If attacked on your own property there are home depot items you might want to have readily available.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you randomly spray my dog with pepper spray, I will spray you back.

And you'll get arrested and charged with assault.

By the way, your dog going up to someone, and that someone pepper spraying your dog, is not a "random spray." You should not be letting your dog just go up to people randomly. Your animal is your obligation to control, and is never, ever the responsibility of strangers.

I have spoken to the Maryland National Capital Parks Police abut this and you are well within your rights to defend yourself against a dog that is making unwanted bodily contact with you.

In fact, off leash is a minor fine, but if your dog physically contacts someone who doesn't want it, it's a huge fine -- like $500.

Off leash fines need to be increased. Given the rise in more than minor bites- get it up to $1000. Dangerous dog laws often have 1st bite excuses. People have been shredded.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you randomly spray my dog with pepper spray, I will spray you back.

And you'll get arrested and charged with assault.

By the way, your dog going up to someone, and that someone pepper spraying your dog, is not a "random spray." You should not be letting your dog just go up to people randomly. Your animal is your obligation to control, and is never, ever the responsibility of strangers.

I have spoken to the Maryland National Capital Parks Police abut this and you are well within your rights to defend yourself against a dog that is making unwanted bodily contact with you.

In fact, off leash is a minor fine, but if your dog physically contacts someone who doesn't want it, it's a huge fine -- like $500.

Off leash fines need to be increased. Given the rise in more than minor bites- get it up to $1000. Dangerous dog laws often have 1st bite excuses. People have been shredded.

Yes. An attack is a huge liability. I was just pointing out that ANY contact, even a jump, can get you fined. zi was knocked down a few days ago by a dog on the trail and I am a very fit youngish woman. I can only imagine what would have happened to an an elderly person or a child.

[Anonymous]

I see a future where people are running around pepper spraying dogs for no reason. Why so angry people?

[Anonymous]

There are deer and foxes and squirrels are off leash too. Why don't you go pepper spray them.