People who walk their dogs off-leash in an area not designated for that are self-absorbed. You think your dog's poop doesn't stink. Well, guess what? The law is there for you to be considerate of OTHER people. Some people are scared of dogs. Some people don't want to be approached by a dog their don't know. Some people don't like to be jumped on or sniffed. It's just common courtesy to others to walk your dog on a leash.

I bet you let your dogs stare at other dogs and people, too. That's considered aggressive behavior. Take dog behavior and think about it from a human perspective. We don't like when strangers come running at us, barking, staring, and being too familiar. It's common sense. If you don't understand that, you shouldn't have dogs, or you should be less lazy and just take them to an off-leash area.

Most people who have dogs shouldn't. I don't let my dog near another dog that stares, barks/yaps for no reason, is off leash, or is on a retractable leash because that tells me the owner is not responsible.

What about the even more obvious reason? Your dogs could be well trained, but what if a squirrel comes by at just the right instant, providing just the right incentive to go on a little chase, out into the street....

.... Which is exactly what happened with my off-leash dog many years ago, on a quiet suburban side street--right as some kids from my school were driving by and thought it'd be cool to rev up as they passed me. My dog lasted about 45 seconds after she was hit.