Unleashed dogs...do you speak up?

[Anonymous]

I'm just curious how other people handle being around unleashed dogs in public areas. It's DC law yet I always se them roaming around while the owners stare at their phones. I love dogs and really like petting the friendly ones if they approach me. But it's not always pleasant.

The other day, I was walking my son to school and a huge doberman made a beeline for us. I was absolutely terrified and blocked my son with my body. Luckily the dog was relatively nice but did jump on me, leaving bright red nail marks on my arms and legs. The owner casually snapped at the dog to come back, muttering a "sorry" at us before returning to his phone. I asked him nicely but firmly to leash his dog and that seeing a large animal run at us like that was really scary. His response was a mix of shock, anger and aggressiveness. He said I made the law up, which he knew because he claimed to be a lawyer. I pointed to the sign that clearly stated the leash law but that didn't stop him. He was livid and called me names in front of my son. We walked away but I did see him leashing his dog when I looked back.

When we got to school, we told a few other families what happened and they all had similar stories about asking dog owners to leash their pets...and getting chewed out (pun intended). Why is it such a point of tension for these people to follow the law? Is there a certain way to approach this? I'm pretty sure it's not the last time we will encounter someone like this. I don't want my son attacked because a clueless owner thought the rules didn't apply to his pet.

[Anonymous]

OP here...looks like there's already a big thread on this subject! Glad to know I'm not alone here.

[Anonymous]

I do speak up, and the reaction is always as you describe - shocked anger that I would dare be upset by their dog.

- dog owner who leashes

[Anonymous]

There are shitty people. Always have been and always will be.

[Anonymous]

I would call Animal Control and see if they will take a report. As you have seen, someone who lets their dogs out unleashed usually has an attitude to go with it.

[Anonymous]

I have a dog and always ask others to leash. My dog is terrified of loose dogs and my children are scared of big dogs too (our dog is super small and sweet). The only exception are truly well trained dogs who stay at their owners' sides and sit when told. I don't mind seeing them off leash because they are in control.

You did right, and honestly next time I would ask for his card and tell him it is so that you can report him to the cops for harassment. I am a lawyer and HATE douchebag lawyers who try to pretend the degree means they can do whatever they want because they are too important to follow the rules.

[Anonymous]

No. Scolding another adult is far worse than allowing a dog off leash.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No. Scolding another adult is far worse than allowing a dog off leash.

Do you let your dogs run unleashed too?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No. Scolding another adult is far worse than allowing a dog off leash.

Do you let your dogs run unleashed too?

Absolutely not. But I will resist this impulse in some to tells others off. It's bad form.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No. Scolding another adult is far worse than allowing a dog off leash.

Do you let your dogs run unleashed too?

Absolutely not. But I will resist this impulse in some to tells others off. It's bad form.

So you'll just sit quietly till you get bitten/scratched or your child gets knocked down?
Miss Manners sends you a cookie.

[Anonymous]

OP said "I asked him nicely but firmly to leash his dog and that seeing a large animal run at us like that was really scary."

Certainly not telling off -- it was the owner's nasty reply and name calling that was "bad form."

[Anonymous]

Sorry to hear about this! Owners of breeds like Doberman and German Shepherd in my experience are more considerate and less likely to be so cavalier. They usually understand these are dogs that can be intimidating, even if they are actually gentle and well-behaved (as this one was not, since it jumped on you).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No. Scolding another adult is far worse than allowing a dog off leash.

Do you let your dogs run unleashed too?

Absolutely not. But I will resist this impulse in some to tells others off. It's bad form.

So you'll just sit quietly till you get bitten/scratched or your child gets knocked down?
Miss Manners sends you a cookie.

Well, no. The two times this has happened to me, I kicked the dog hard. It was a reflex. Then, as the owner screamed at me, I calmly pulled out my photo, took his photo and called 911.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP said "I asked him nicely but firmly to leash his dog and that seeing a large animal run at us like that was really scary."

Certainly not telling off -- it was the owner's nasty reply and name calling that was "bad form."

It is not OP's place to police the behavior of others.

[Anonymous]

Yup.

"Leash your dog, please."
"He's friendly!"
"LEASH YOUR DOG, PLEASE!"
"It's okay, he's friendly!"
"MY DOG ISN'T, LEASH YOUR DOG!"

My dog actually is fine, she just is not a fan of unleashed, untrained wild dogs running at her full speed and will bark her head off and look vicious. People are really selfish.