OT: Unleashed dogs at parks

[Anonymous]

Building off the post about people who bring their dogs to the playgrounds -- Why do people feel it's appropriate to let their dogs go unleashed in public spaces, or even outside their home? What's the appropriate response to this?

We live near a park with a large grassy area. There's a sign that says you must keep your dog on leash and clean up after him/her, but people regularly take their dogs off leash and play catch with them. I don't have a big issue with the people who take their dogs to the far side of the park, very far away from the pathway and playground, and keep them extremely engaged in a game of chase-the-ball. I do have a problem with people who allow their dogs to go play willy-nilly and/or have more than one dog. This makes it very hard for my dog, who is on a leash, and is very threatening to my toddler.

People also often let their dogs go in their yards without leashes. I know they don't think they'll run off, but it's totally inappropriate. My dog was attacked by two dogs like this, and last week, we were walking as a family with my dog and toddler, and an unleashed dog ran out of a yard, barking hysterically and growling at my dog. If it had just been me, the dog, and toddler (without DH), I don't know how I would have dealt with the situation -- holding DS to protect him while hurrying away and pulling my dog along. It was a small dog, but it was still being vicious and could cause pain to my dog and/or toddler. My dog responded great (mostly he was shocked), but if he had barked and pulled more, it could have been really ugly.

The owners were standing in their yard with the dog and even saw us coming. They didn't reach down to restrain their dog (although she was right next to them) but yelled out, "Just keep walking," before their dog even noticed ours. As their dog was freaking out on my dog, the owner did come out and grab the dog, but she was also just telling us, "Just keep walking." She did apologize, but since this is the second time this dog has been off leash and run out to growl at my dog, I wanted to say something to her (but I didn't want to be nasty!). Why shouldn't I be able to walk my dog and kid on a public street without fear of a dog running out?

I never know what to say to these people because many are not doing this maliciously, but they just don't understand the problems that could arise. Furthermore, having a dog off-leash is really scary for anyone who has a fear of dogs.

[Anonymous]

People totally suck. There will always be someone.

[Anonymous]

Call the police non emergency number.

[Anonymous]

I'd totally kick the dog in the face.

[Anonymous]

I like when dog owners try to show off how "good" their dog is by having him off leash. All it shows me is that the owner is an inconsiderate moron. When I'm out with my toddler and I see an unleashed dog, I always say "leash your dog please, it's the law."

I hate people.

[Anonymous]

First I educate them on their bad behavior. If they continue, I call the cops. In DC there is no non-emergency number -- you just call 911. If it's a federal park I call the Park Police.

DC has a leash law. Dogs must be on a leash, and that leash can be no longer than 4 feet -- not of those long retractable things.

[Anonymous]

Our backyard borders a park where people used to allow their dogs off leash as an informal dog park. After some heavy applications of rat poison (we did see rats once), this area is no longer used by off-leash dogs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd totally kick the dog in the face.

If you kicked my dog in the face, I'd kick you in the face.

That being said, I would never let my dog wonder without a leash. Don't be an asshole to the dog, be an asshole to the owners.

[Anonymous]

If I knew that there was such a dog in the area, I would carry an umbrella or stick and if the unleashed dog approached me and/or my child or pet in an aggressive fashion, I would fend the animal off with the umbrella or stick, hitting if it would not be discouraged by me just waving the umbrella in front of it's face. If the pet was leashed/restrained and didn't approach us, I would ignore it.

[Anonymous]

Violence is never O.K. Complain to your ANC to have the rules clarified. There are so many dog parks and dog runs in DC that dog owners have other parks to choose.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If I knew that there was such a dog in the area, I would carry an umbrella or stick and if the unleashed dog approached me and/or my child or pet in an aggressive fashion, I would fend the animal off with the umbrella or stick, hitting if it would not be discouraged by me just waving the umbrella in front of it's face. If the pet was leashed/restrained and didn't approach us, I would ignore it.

LOL - you're a fool! The dog is going to think you are playing. Would love to be in the audience for this one...

[Anonymous]

Keep a biscuit or tennis ball in your pocket. When unleashed dog comes near, throw it towards the street. The owner will quickly find out jut how "trained" their dog really is. I hate a$$holes who think the can control their dog from far away.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Keep a biscuit or tennis ball in your pocket. When unleashed dog comes near, throw it towards the street. The owner will quickly find out jut how "trained" their dog really is. I hate a$$holes who think the can control their dog from far away.

This is sad - so the dog gets hit by a car. The owner would be in the wrong, and the dog ends up suffering. That's a special kind of despicable.

[Anonymous]

They always say, "oh he just wants to play! he won't hurt you, heh heh heh."

Stupid dog puts its wet nose all over me...gross.

[Anonymous]

My neighbor had her dog off leash (we live in the district), she always says how great her dog is but I never felt comfortable around the dog.

One day a few kids from the neighborhood were playing ball and the the ball got away from the kids and the dog ran after it into the street.

Dogs are animals, they have leashes for a reason.