Reply to Why are people letting their dogs go out in public with no leash?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I don't know how or why this thread became a debate over murder but that's... not the issue. For the record I am anti-murder.

Just leash your dog. There are good places to let your dog off leash. These include: your yard and dog parks that permit dogs off leash. Other private homes where people know your dog and allow you to let your dog roam. I am a dog lover who has enjoyed many a backyard barbecue with dogs underfoot.

But on sidewalks and trails and other public areas your dog needs to be leashed for their benefit and that of everyone else. Leashes enable dogs to interact with each other in a controlled way that ensures their well being. Leashes provide assurance to kids and others who have reasonable fear of dogs that the dog will be controlled (I always told my scared-of-dogs kid to look for the leash to help reassure them that a dog was not going to come jump on them and it helped a lot to acclimate her to dogs-- this doesn't work when people don't leash their dogs!).

As others have mentioned even the very best dog can be spooked or startled. And any dog over about 40 lbs can pose a threat even if they never become aggressive. A dog zagging across someone's path can knock them down. A lot of kids are smaller than dogs and can be knocked over by a dog who is merely enthusiastic. Off leash dogs sometimes steel food (normal dog behavior!) or pester other dogs. An excited dog can run into the street and be hit by a dog or bike (super dangerous for the bike rider as well). None of this is aggressive behavior -- it's usually playful or exuberant. But it can pose a danger to people who are just minding their own business.

Leash your dog! Just leash your dog! Don't get a dog if you aren't prepared to leash your dog! Literally everyone knows that dogs are supposed to be leashed! They post signs! Put a freaking leash on your dog!

I don't know how else to put this so that people understand.[/quote]

They understand. They enjoy making other people upset. [/quote]

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