Leash Laws
Alright, someone will need to explain the local leash laws to me.
I am under some mistaken impression that a leash law means you have to attach a leash to your pet's collar whenever you are walking that pet outside of your private property, and you need to be in control of that leash and the pet to which it is attached.
In my neighborhood, however, pet owners believe a leash law means they can attach a leash to their pet and let the pet wander free dragging that leash behind it.
sigh
I was pulling weeds out of my yard one day when a dog walker using the loose version of the leash law wandered past. The owner kept to the sidewalk while his dog darted here and there, into yards, into the street. At no time did I observe the dog owner to be within reach of the dog's leash. One of my neighbors had a very big problem with this and crossed the street to talk with the walker.
I heard my neighbor explain to the dog owner that there was a leash law. Pointing to the ground, the walker chuckled and replied that his dog was on a leash. My neighbor failed to see the humor. He further explained to the walker that he had an invisible fence on his property. He was being a responsible dog owner by retaining his dog. Even so, how could he defend his own pet from a loose dog?
"If your dog runs over here and my dog bites him, whose fault is that? Not mine! I'm a responsible dog owner. You think it's funny, but it could be a tragedy. Control your dog."
Over the weekend, I was walking across town with my son when we crossed paths with a woman walking her dog. Again, the dog dragged a leash that was attached to its collar but not to its owner. In this case, however, the dog stayed close to its owner. When the woman called, the dog heeled immediately.
Around the corner was another dog and its owner. This dog had no leash. But, like the other dog, it obeyed its owners commands.
I remarked to my son, "Here are fine examples of the dogs being better behaved than their owners."
How does this work?
Clearly, an uncontrolled dog is no good for anyone. But, if a dog is well-behaved, does that negate the leash law?
How do you view the leash laws?
Nov 4, 2011 at 6:32 p.m.
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Dogs should be leashed or fenced at all times-both for their own safety and that of passing pedestrians and their pets. I walk my dog (and always clean up afterward) but I am very uncomfortable when "free" dogs come up to us and start to bark and growl at us.
Jul 25, 2011 at 4:37 p.m.
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With all of these hand gun carrying knuckleheads running around, folks better double leash their dog in case the first one breaks.
Jul 20, 2011 at 5:12 p.m.
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Here is one you will really shake your head at. We were walking our dog on the sidewalk in our neighborhood. ON a leash, and the leash firmly in my husbands hand. She walks along nicely anyways but we would never think to drop the leash. We approached the house a couple doors down from ours-again-we were on the public sidewalk. There was a dog inside-but standing at the door barking, growling, snarling so loud it could be heard anywhere. Appeared to be a pit bull. Our dog paused..a bit scared..but we kept walking. Suddenly, that dog threw all its weight (considerable) against that door--it popped open and out that dog came-still snarling and growling. Obviously wanted our dog. Our dog turned and tried to run-but the leash was a short one. She got tangled around my husbands leg-but he managed at the last moment to put his steel-toed booted foot up right as the dog went over the back of our dog, reaching for her neck! It was VERY traumatic for us AND our dog. It backed off, still barking and growling, and the owner? Opened the door--looked out with disinterest and said "is everything ok"? And called the dog back. Went inside without waiting for an answer, and shut the door. We were shaking, turned around went home, and were in awe that the owner never even came out to see if everything really was ok.
This happened again-a few days later..only this time they had the dog outside, no leash but was on their property. Again, we walked our leashed dog past, and that dog ran out again, went for the neck of our dog.
And again, they just half heartedly called their dog.
WE went home, and called the police, but I dont think anything was ever done.
Needless to say, we dont walk that way anymore.
Jul 6, 2011 at 5:42 p.m.
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This frustrates me SO MUCH.
Several years ago, I used to let my dog out without a leash to relieve himself. Then he was killed by a car.
Now, our two dogs are never outside the fenced yard without a leash being attached both to the dog and our hands.
...to add to my rant after today's 5:30 news: Rory *was* actually off his leash over the weekend. He was so scared by the big dog "just saying hi" that he somehow backed out of his collar and was standing naked on the sidewalk. Luckily, he was also so scared he didn't take off running.
Ok. I'm stepping off the soapbox. I promise.
Jul 6, 2011 at 12:31 p.m.
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Nope... on a leash and under control mean just that. We have two dogs, both older. And while "Buddy" seems to do better without a leash on [when confronted with other dogs] and he listens well, we still keep him on a leash which is attached to us.
"Payton" on the other hand is a near deaf [or is that selective hearing?] wanderer and we have to keep him on a leash just to keep our sanity [and our voices].
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