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

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=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.[/quote]

Hi, this is the OP. It is really stressful when a dog owner regards a trail on a maryland public park as their own private estate--yes, including for the dog.  I don't get your your reasoning behind labelng me an a--hole, nor your concilatory approach towards owners who disregard leash laws. Seriously, for someone who claims to be frustrated by owners who disregard leash laws, you do a lot of rationalizing for owners who walk theri dogs off leash in parks in your post.  :D

Also, allow me the opportunity to provide more clarity for the budding fan-fiction writers out there responding to my post:

My dog has no bite history, nor have I ever witnessed my dog attacking another dog.

My dog growls and will sometimes try to lunge, but again, I follow leash laws and am fully alert when I walk.

[b]My dog is < 30 lbs and not difficult to control with a leash and harness.  [/b]
[/quote]

This would have been good to know on page 1! I think more than one of us probably envisioned a German Shepherd  or equivalent who just "couldn't deal" and got aggressive with a Papillon which is a recipe for true disaster. Small dogs are assholes and this aggression kind of speaks to that, but good to know they couldn't do true damage to most dogs. [/quote]

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