If my leashed dog attacks an unleashed dog on a park trail am I at fault?

[Anonymous]

OP, you’re fine. Not liable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If your dog can't be trusted on leash, he can't be trusted on leash. You need to act responsibly and accordingly. This isn't just matter of unleashed dogs, it's a matter of anyone approaching. You are being an irresponsible dog owner by walking leash-aggressive dog on public trails.

OP here.

I am completely in control of my dog by always keeping a safe distance and using a leash. My dog has never been aggressive towards children or other adults--still, I ask that they refrain from touching my dog (never an issue).

The only instances where my dog has shown aggression have been when dogs who are unleashed with their owners approach my dog quickly and suddenly.

While we're on the subject of aggression, I really don't understand your aggression and assertion of irresponsibility towards me. My dog is not aggressive if leash laws are followed on public trails by others.

Your leash aggressive dog has a high likelihood of being aggressive to some other small animal or child who runs up unexpectedly some day. You are delusional if you think otherwise.

I am being truthful (not aggressive, for God's sake the truth isn't aggressive) with you because I am sick and tired of irresponsible dog owners like you. You are as bad as the ones with unleashed dogs, so stop pretending you are better than them. They are terrible, agreed, but so are you.

You are crazy. Op sounds like a great dog owner. I also have a reactive dog and have to frequently announce that my dog isn’t friendly. Sadly also have needed to kick a few dogs away and actually had one “my dog is friendly” owner yell at me when I hustled to get away from his off leash dog.

DP.. if you know your dog can get aggressive you should muzzle it when you are out. You can't always control your dog even if it's on a leash. A kid may end up going near your dog without knowing your dog is friendly or not. It happens. You may be distracted and not catch the kid in time, nor can you always control a dog.

OP here!

I'm not going to muzzle my dog. My dog is controllable because I follow leash laws and use a harness. I walk at a brisk pace and don't wear headphones. I've never once had a child sneak approach my dog while walking, nor has my dog ever growled at a child.

Instead of reacting to scenarios based on strangers projecting on a message board, I'm more interested in confronting issues that happen on a weekly basis or more frequently, hence the specific question about unleashed dogs and liability because my dog will and only growls at unleashed dogs.

Thank you to all who answered my questions about liability!

[Anonymous]

Sorry OP. For us the interaction usually goes like this:

Me, to distant owner of dog: "Call your dog please!"

Them: "He's friendly!"

Me, pleasantly: "Mine's not!"

Them: flails uselessly trying to call their dog, who ignores them.

Usually it works out fine and the dog backs off. Occasionally it has not. My dog isn't even aggressive, she is picky about which dogs can approach her.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Better safe than sorry OP. I guess you should walk on public streets where leashes are required. Bummer but probably better for you and your dog.

Leashes are also required in the park. It is just that SOME PEOPLE think the rules don't apply to their perfect special dog even though their perfect special dog doesn't have 100% recall

OP-Just solidarity. My dog isn't even leash aggressive just gets totally scared when an off leash dog runs up at her. And I can't tell you how many times off leash dogs have run at me while I was on a run. I love dogs but I don't like being charged by strange dogs. I don't understand why people can't just leash their f'ing dogs.

People who don't leash your dogs please explain why you think the rules don't apply to you.

My park has off leash hours. If your leashed dog reacts poorly to unleashed dogs approaching him or her, probably best not to walk through the park during off leash hours. I do my best to redirect my dog, but he likes to say hi to every dog he sees. He will take a hint, though, if your dog isn’t feeling it. He’s just one of those ridiculous “never met a stranger” types.

[Anonymous]

Hi, OP. I also have a dog that is aggressive onward off-leash dogs. I also used to enjoy walking in RCP but became frustrated with people who allow their dogs off leash.

The first time an unleashed dog approaches yours and gets bitten, no you’re not at fault. However, if your dog has a known history of aggression, particularly a documented bite history, and you don’t have it muzzled, you are also responsible. Also, people can sue for any reason, even if it’s groundless, and it makes your life hell until the case in thrown out or ruled in your favor. Think of it this way: Having a “beware of dog” sign doesn’t absolve you of responsibility for leaving a 80 lb. dog out behind a 3’ tall fence. If anything, it shows you knew the situation was dangerous.

Something else to consider is that when your dog becomes reactive, it is stressed out. It believes it is in a life-or-death situation from which it must protect itself. You KNOW there are always off-leash dos in the park, and you know you can’t control that, but you keep subjecting your dog to that situation.

So, while you’re correct that you wouldn’t be at fault, you can still be the asshole for subjecting yourself and your dog to this situation. My dog hates muzzles too —pants, drools, and collapses, no matter now many special treats we give him. I have a neighbor who keeps their unleashed 65 lb. dog on their front porch. It’s run across the street in traffic to get to my dog when my dog growled at it. I can keep insisting I’m right and they’re wrong, or I can avoid walking past their house and can walk at less heavily trafficked times of day. It’s disappointing: one of the reasons I wanted a dog was to have a hiking and walking companion, but that’s not the dog I ended up adopting from the shelter. My choices were to return the dog for one that’s a better fit or adapt my expectations.

[Anonymous]

Yes, you are liable.

[Anonymous]

You get an annual insurance policy that covers your dog (bites, attacks) and other weird, random incidents. They do sell them, and they aren't that expensive. We have one, and it's good peace of mind that if our dog ever bit anyone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If your dog can't be trusted on leash, he can't be trusted on leash. You need to act responsibly and accordingly. This isn't just matter of unleashed dogs, it's a matter of anyone approaching. You are being an irresponsible dog owner by walking leash-aggressive dog on public trails.

OP here.

I am completely in control of my dog by always keeping a safe distance and using a leash. My dog has never been aggressive towards children or other adults--still, I ask that they refrain from touching my dog (never an issue).

The only instances where my dog has shown aggression have been when dogs who are unleashed with their owners approach my dog quickly and suddenly.

While we're on the subject of aggression, I really don't understand your aggression and assertion of irresponsibility towards me. My dog is not aggressive if leash laws are followed on public trails by others.

Your leash aggressive dog has a high likelihood of being aggressive to some other small animal or child who runs up unexpectedly some day. You are delusional if you think otherwise.

I am being truthful (not aggressive, for God's sake the truth isn't aggressive) with you because I am sick and tired of irresponsible dog owners like you. You are as bad as the ones with unleashed dogs, so stop pretending you are better than them. They are terrible, agreed, but so are you.

You are crazy. Op sounds like a great dog owner. I also have a reactive dog and have to frequently announce that my dog isn’t friendly. Sadly also have needed to kick a few dogs away and actually had one “my dog is friendly” owner yell at me when I hustled to get away from his off leash dog.

DP.. if you know your dog can get aggressive you should muzzle it when you are out. You can't always control your dog even if it's on a leash. A kid may end up going near your dog without knowing your dog is friendly or not. It happens. You may be distracted and not catch the kid in time, nor can you always control a dog.

OP here!

I'm not going to muzzle my dog. My dog is controllable because I follow leash laws and use a harness. I walk at a brisk pace and don't wear headphones. I've never once had a child sneak approach my dog while walking, nor has my dog ever growled at a child.

Instead of reacting to scenarios based on strangers projecting on a message board, I'm more interested in confronting issues that happen on a weekly basis or more frequently, hence the specific question about unleashed dogs and liability because my dog will and only growls at unleashed dogs.

Thank you to all who answered my questions about liability!

citronella spray

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If your dog can't be trusted on leash, he can't be trusted on leash. You need to act responsibly and accordingly. This isn't just matter of unleashed dogs, it's a matter of anyone approaching. You are being an irresponsible dog owner by walking leash-aggressive dog on public trails.

OP here.

I am completely in control of my dog by always keeping a safe distance and using a leash. My dog has never been aggressive towards children or other adults--still, I ask that they refrain from touching my dog (never an issue).

The only instances where my dog has shown aggression have been when dogs who are unleashed with their owners approach my dog quickly and suddenly.

While we're on the subject of aggression, I really don't understand your aggression and assertion of irresponsibility towards me. My dog is not aggressive if leash laws are followed on public trails by others.

Your leash aggressive dog has a high likelihood of being aggressive to some other small animal or child who runs up unexpectedly some day. You are delusional if you think otherwise.

I am being truthful (not aggressive, for God's sake the truth isn't aggressive) with you because I am sick and tired of irresponsible dog owners like you. You are as bad as the ones with unleashed dogs, so stop pretending you are better than them. They are terrible, agreed, but so are you.

You are crazy. Op sounds like a great dog owner. I also have a reactive dog and have to frequently announce that my dog isn’t friendly. Sadly also have needed to kick a few dogs away and actually had one “my dog is friendly” owner yell at me when I hustled to get away from his off leash dog.

DP.. if you know your dog can get aggressive you should muzzle it when you are out. You can't always control your dog even if it's on a leash. A kid may end up going near your dog without knowing your dog is friendly or not. It happens. You may be distracted and not catch the kid in time, nor can you always control a dog.

OP here!

I'm not going to muzzle my dog. My dog is controllable because I follow leash laws and use a harness. I walk at a brisk pace and don't wear headphones. I've never once had a child sneak approach my dog while walking, nor has my dog ever growled at a child.

Instead of reacting to scenarios based on strangers projecting on a message board, I'm more interested in confronting issues that happen on a weekly basis or more frequently, hence the specific question about unleashed dogs and liability because my dog will and only growls at unleashed dogs.

Thank you to all who answered my questions about liability!

Yes, you should muzzle your dog when out since clearly you couldn't control this situation and your dog. You said your dog attacked another dog. That's not controlling your dog.

[Anonymous]

Where there are leash laws (most jurisdictions, for good reason) - you are NOT liable, OP.

There was a story in recent years about an off leash dog justifiably being shot and killed when the dog approached an older couple. I believe it was in this geographical area.

I am not suggesting you shoot an off leash dog, but you are likely not liable if you do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You are NOT at fault - the owner of the off-leash dog, which is against the law, is.

The people saying you are at fault are probably the idiots who let their dog off leash with no recall.

You did not read her post, did you? In a dog park where in MoCo it is legal to unleash your dog.

So now this is a creative writing assignment? OP clearly stated that she’s walking her dog in RCP trails NOT in a dog park. Why do you insist on walking your aggressive dog off leash? Your dog has already bitten 2 strangers including a child and you think it’s their fault for triggering him. Time to put your animal down. You’re too irresponsible to own a dog.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If your dog can't be trusted on leash, he can't be trusted on leash. You need to act responsibly and accordingly. This isn't just matter of unleashed dogs, it's a matter of anyone approaching. You are being an irresponsible dog owner by walking leash-aggressive dog on public trails.

OP here.

I am completely in control of my dog by always keeping a safe distance and using a leash. My dog has never been aggressive towards children or other adults--still, I ask that they refrain from touching my dog (never an issue).

The only instances where my dog has shown aggression have been when dogs who are unleashed with their owners approach my dog quickly and suddenly.

While we're on the subject of aggression, I really don't understand your aggression and assertion of irresponsibility towards me. My dog is not aggressive if leash laws are followed on public trails by others.

Your leash aggressive dog has a high likelihood of being aggressive to some other small animal or child who runs up unexpectedly some day. You are delusional if you think otherwise.

I am being truthful (not aggressive, for God's sake the truth isn't aggressive) with you because I am sick and tired of irresponsible dog owners like you. You are as bad as the ones with unleashed dogs, so stop pretending you are better than them. They are terrible, agreed, but so are you.

You are crazy. Op sounds like a great dog owner. I also have a reactive dog and have to frequently announce that my dog isn’t friendly. Sadly also have needed to kick a few dogs away and actually had one “my dog is friendly” owner yell at me when I hustled to get away from his off leash dog.

DP.. if you know your dog can get aggressive you should muzzle it when you are out. You can't always control your dog even if it's on a leash. A kid may end up going near your dog without knowing your dog is friendly or not. It happens. You may be distracted and not catch the kid in time, nor can you always control a dog.

OP here!

I'm not going to muzzle my dog. My dog is controllable because I follow leash laws and use a harness. I walk at a brisk pace and don't wear headphones. I've never once had a child sneak approach my dog while walking, nor has my dog ever growled at a child.

Instead of reacting to scenarios based on strangers projecting on a message board, I'm more interested in confronting issues that happen on a weekly basis or more frequently, hence the specific question about unleashed dogs and liability because my dog will and only growls at unleashed dogs.

Thank you to all who answered my questions about liability!

Yes, you should muzzle your dog when out since clearly you couldn't control this situation and your dog. You said your dog attacked another dog. That's not controlling your dog.

Hi OP here! I'm not sure if you are projecting or your reading comprehension is challenged, but I never said my dog has actually attacked another dog. So yeah, I have been able to control my dog.

[Anonymous]

OP, you should cary dog treats. When an unleashed dog approaches you, show them the treat and throw it far away from your dog. Then give your dog a treat and tell him to “heel”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Put a muzzle on your dog. And seriously speak up sooner! But the muzzle not only protects you from liability, it speaks volumes to other dog owners who aren't generally bright enough to keep their beasts away from strange dogs.

Also, put a favorite treat in the muzzle so your dog looks forward to wearing it. Most dogs can easily be trained to happily stick their noses in the muzzle, knowing it means "tasty treat and a fun walk."

+1 people need to put a muzzle on their dog when they know the dog can get aggressive. There was an attack by a dog on a puppy in our neighborhood. The owner couldn't control the dog that attacked the other dog. Even if a dog goes near your other dog, if you know your dog can get aggressive, you should muzzle it. Unless your dog is tiny, you can't always control your dog even if it's on a leash. I have see dogs take their owners for walks rather than the other way around. I've experienced it myself having worked for a vet and owned my own dogs.

I’m not putting a muzzle on my dog so your unleashed dog doesn’t get hurt. Keep your dog controlled and there is no problem, your dog is not my responsibility.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sorry OP. For us the interaction usually goes like this:

Me, to distant owner of dog: "Call your dog please!"

Them: "He's friendly!"

Me, pleasantly: "Mine's not!"

Them: flails uselessly trying to call their dog, who ignores them.

+1 Many nonaggressive leashed dogs do not want to be approached by a loose dog (or a leashes dog). I use this dialog and in an unfriendly tone. If dog ignores the owner’s recall, comes sniffs my dog’s butt then I yell at owner to get the dog immediately and if they are too far away I kick the dog. People really need a rock solid recall if they are going to break leash laws IMHO.