Should dogs be kept on a leash in public places?
Replies
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I know where i live they law is that if you are incomplete control of your dog at all time they dont really have to be on a leash. I would prefer dogs to be because i know my dog hates other dogs. So if another dog came up to him in just wanting to play he would probably eat them. That being said it would be the owners fault for not having "control" over their animal
Im in the us fyi0 -
If it is the law, then yes, if there are leash free areas then I guess it is up to the owner to decide at that stage.
I have 2 dogs, trained and behaved and they will never go up to a dog on a leash or another person unless invited. Other dogs off leash in the leash free area are ok to go up to. That's just their training.
We have lots of leash free areas including beaches. My dogs get 3 walks a day, 1 hr each. in the morning and mid afternoon to the park which allows leash free and in the afternoon to the beach which is also leash free.
I think for the most part people are the problem not dogs. All dogs can be trained but unfortunately a lot of people cannot train or control their dogs.
My dogs will "WARN" if they are annoyed by another dog and it has happened a few times. I certainly will not punish them when a puppy jumps all over them and they find it annoying or another dog bites them. It's the responsibility of the other owner to control their dogs, mine are under 100% control.
They are kelpies0 -
I have seen red leads that say "DO NOT APPROACH" on them and are highly visible even from a distance. Might be worth investing in as it would give other people the opportunity to leash a dog temporaily in order to pass you safely.
I leash my dog when I see someone coming towards me with a leashed dog. Where I live I trust off-lead ones more than leashed ones, as they are 9 times out of 10 those that are better socialised or trained.0 -
Personally, yes. No matter what you think you're dog is like. It is ALWAYS capable of doing serious damage to another dog or a person.
My dog is unpredictable, he reacts to other dogs because he's had two bad situations as a puppy from unleashed dogs.
One was when I first got him and was taking him for his evening walk and two huge alsations, no owner in sight, cornered both of us. They were sniffing at my dog but he was a pup (jack Russell, so tiny) and he was terrified and these dogs wete half the size of me and I was so scared, I didn't know what they would do.
Second incident, a spaniel off the lead ran straight for my dog, aggresively and stuck its mouth round my dog's throat. Again, owner was round the corner, came round the bend to see me kicking his dog off mine. And somehow it was MY fault! I told him to get it on a lead or I would call the dog warden there and then. (i also don't believe in being violent to animals but I was scared for my pup and I wasn't sticking.g my hands in there..)
That's why my dog stays on a lead.
UK law is that dogs should be on a lead at all times in public areas but people seldom follow it. My dog is on a lead all the time unless in my own garden.0 -
My husband and I considered moving to the States. I'm American, he's British. The leash laws is one of the things (healthcare was the other) that put us off the idea. I have to keep my dogs on a lead, whereas there's nothing to protect me from people's unruly children? Don't think so. Sorry but your freedoms are not more important to me than mine or that of my dogs.
Dog parks I've seen in the states are pathetic at best. One I saw in LA was little more than a fenced in dust bowl with no room to run around and nothing to sniff and investigate. it was awful. I utterly fail to understand why public parks (which are HUGE in the states) can't separate dog free areas like they do in the UK, for use by people who are afraid or intolerant of dogs.
I do believe, however, that people who don't clean up after their dogs should get really stiff penalties. But then, I hate it when people spit and litter, too. I also believe that dog training Should be compulsory (and not in the style of that a-hole, the dog whisperer. That man should go to prison for animal abuse).
Owners are e problem, not the dogs. I'm more scared of teenagers in UK parks than I am of any dog.0 -
UK law is that dogs should be on a lead at all times in public areas
That is incorrect.
https://www.gov.uk/control-dog-public/overview
It says a dog must not be DANGEROUSLY OUT OF CONTROL in a public space.
Absolutely nowhere does it say it must be on a lead.
http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/download/9308/law.pdf
There are TWO places where the UK has "leash laws" and that is anywhere where there is a specific by-law and where there is livestock. that's it.0 -
I think it depends on the temperament of the dog & who's about the area where you take the dog.
I have a 3 year old Staffordshire bull terrier who's always on the lead & if we come to a grassy area with no kids or that she gets off for a run about.
My French Bulldog is only 6 months old & hardly ever on the lead when out walking he just walks beside you, gets put on for crossing roads etc.0 -
UK law differs from US law in that it merely stipulates that dogs must be under control not on a lead. Mine is a collie which heels on command. If she were ever approached by an aggressive dog, her chances of getting away unharmed are better off-lead than on.
Dogs are allowed off lead in public parks. I am not aware of us having any "dog parks" like they exist in the US.
They are not allowed in childrens play areas, which is fine.
My dog is well trained, does not approach other dogs unless allowed, does not approach other people unless allowed, does not jump up at people. Why should I limit her life because a small minority of people can't be bothered to train their dogs?
In my local area most pubs are also dog friendly. I'm glad that I live someone that's not such an adversarial environment.
Very similar situation here. Also in UK. Mine's a working English Springer Spaniel. Well trained. When he hears a bike approaching he sits to the side of the path to allow them to go past! I often have people comment how well trained he is.
If approached by any children, I always try to stop them before they touch him, I keep hold of his collar and teach them how to approach him properly and safely. I make it clear to them that they should never approach a dog unless it is restrained and they have the permission of the owner. I let them know that not all dogs like to be touched and stroked and that some can be upset at this. I think that educating the children is important - they might remember it next time they see a dog.0 -
Totally agree with most people here that they definitely should be kept on leads. Even when a family pet is very friendly with its own family, something can always happen that triggers something in them.
My youngest sister was attacked by a dog that belonged to one of her best friends. She has seen the dog before and absolutely loves animals! She went over to the house one day and went to give the dog a hug (he was a labrador type dog) and next thing he just snapped and went for her. He ended up biting the top piece of skin off her ear. She had to have cosmetic surgery to correct it. She was only about 10 at the time. The dog was not put down as my mother knew the family and they knew it was out of character for their dog. But it just shows you that it can happen.0 -
Not where I live, dogs have off leash areas here, the beach included. I think it's great.0
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Of course they should. Someone even said that if her dog is not on a leash, it has a better chance of walking away unharmed if approached by an aggressive dog. Well, if the aggressive dog was on a leash and being controlled by its owner, that wouldn't happen. No one thinks that their dog is aggressive. Take the person who told the story about her sister being attacked by a 'friendly' dog that she had played with before. I know that people love their dogs, but it's a bit annoying that they want to risk others' lives so that their dogs can walk around without a leash for a few minutes.0
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Of course they should. Someone even said that if her dog is not on a leash, it has a better chance of walking away unharmed if approached by an aggressive dog. Well, if the aggressive dog was on a leash and being controlled by its owner, that wouldn't happen. No one thinks that their dog is aggressive. Take the person who told the story about her sister being attacked by a 'friendly' dog that she had played with before. I know that people love their dogs, but it's a bit annoying that they want to risk others' lives so that their dogs can walk around without a leash for a few minutes.
My dog was attacked by an off-lead Alsation without provocation. Had she been on a lead herself she would have been dead and I would have been mauled.
Someone here also gave an example of a 10-year old being bitten in the dog owners house when s/he "hugged" the dog. A full on embrace might not be a clever plan? Why don't people learn a little about canine body language and teach their kids?0 -
I guess I live in a very different neck of the woods.. around here, we have many acceptable off lead areas for dogs, fields, woods, beaches, parkland, and it's the norm for them to be off lead on these walks. I encounter very few people that aren't accepting of dogs in these areas, it's a very dog-orientated community. I think generally, when people go to places round here that allow dogs off lead, they expect to encounter dogs off lead so aren't offended by it.
If in a town, or by a road, sure dogs should be on lead for their own safety. And if the dog has any sort of issue with recall, or unpredictability with other dogs or people, then yes it should be kept on a long line for safety and responsible ownership.
I couldn't imagine not giving my dogs the freedom to well, be dogs!0 -
My husband and I considered moving to the States. I'm American, he's British. The leash laws is one of the things (healthcare was the other) that put us off the idea. I have to keep my dogs on a lead, whereas there's nothing to protect me from people's unruly children? Don't think so. Sorry but your freedoms are not more important to me than mine or that of my dogs.
When's the last time you got bit by someone else's child? Much more likely to get bit by a dog, I think.0 -
When a dog comes bounding towards me off lead, it doesn't matter how kind, docile, harrmless, etc YOU think your dog is. Those moments while the dog is running towards me are HORRIFYING. and I can't do a thing about it.
What if a stranger came running at you, put his face in your crotch and started sniffing you? Is that acceptable behavior that you should calmly ask to stop and hope they do? No. So why is that ok from a dog? (it's not)
When I am walking with my music playing in my headphones, and your dog runs up from behind and I don't notice until they are already jumping on me and I get startled and scared, is that fair?
When I have to say to a dog owner with a pet off lead "I'd prefer not to be approached by your dog" is it right that I'm usually ignored, and when I'm not ignored I'm given attitude, sometimes even scolded or yelled at for being a dog hater.
This is my personal space for goodness sakes. Keep your damn dogs out of it. Unless your dog is trained to completely ignore people and never leave your side, you are being inconsiderate by having it off leash. And even then, the best trained dogs, I still have those moments of fear as you walk past because I DON'T KNOW YOUR DOG and therefore I experience fear that entire time, until you have walked far past me.
And for the record, I love dogs. When I visit with my sister her black lab sleeps at my feet, and when I visit my mom I take her little maltipoo for walks. But I know those dogs and it's my choice. Dog owners who think everyone should love and accept their dog even when they are violating other peoples rights deserve a nice sloppy lick kiss on the cheek from a smelly, hairy stranger. (not the canine kind)0 -
I utterly fail to understand why public parks (which are HUGE in the states) can't separate dog free areas like they do in the UK, for use by people who are afraid or intolerant of dogs.
Wait, so... I should be the one restricted to only certain areas of a park in order to avoid dogs off leashes who will almost surely appraoch me against my wishes? HAHAHAHAHA. Sorry, but that's just selfish of you.
Also, you may not realize this, in many US large parks, dogs are required to be on leash for the safety of the local flora and fauna, it doesn't even have anything to do with people...we just don't want your dog crapping in the woods where domesic-dog crap doesnt belong, and we dont want them scaring away or interacting with the wildlife. Plus, parks don't want to deal with pet owners complaining that a skunk or porcupine attacked your precious dog that you refused to control.
I apologize for generalizing, lots of people have some control of their dogs off leash but the overwhelming majority do not.0 -
I think it is OK for a well trained dog to be off a leash in a park, at the beach or any other area where the dog will be safe. One of the biggest problems actually is not dogs off the leash hurting people, but running into a street and being hit by a car. Or a case I recently hear of these people don't keep their dogs on leashes and they attacked a small dog almost killing him.
Animals on leashes are not just to protect the people, but they also protect the animal.0 -
I've never lived anywhere that it wasn't the law.
Cracks me up when people ignore the signs right in front of them and say "but he's a good dog." The sign doesn't say "misbehaving dogs must be leashed at all times." It say ALL dogs must be leashed.
Even good dogs can have bad days.
Our dogs are always leashed when we are outside.
Not one of those 25' long no control things. We use adjustable leashes that can be adjusted from 3 to about 5' and a 2 to 1 leash that is 6' to make it easier for one to walk both.0 -
I know where i live they law is that if you are incomplete control of your dog at all time they dont really have to be on a leash. I would prefer dogs to be because i know my dog hates other dogs. So if another dog came up to him in just wanting to play he would probably eat them. That being said it would be the owners fault for not having "control" over their animal
Im in the us fyi
FYI, you are never "in complete control" of an animal and anyone who thinks you can be doesn't know much about an animal. They may be perfectly trained and well behaved 99.9% of the time... it is the 00.1% of the time that can cost your dog his life. You don't have control over outside stimuli.0 -
There is a lady that walks her dog on a leash and always comes over to say hello to me and my dog. I shorten my dogs leash and make him sit by my feet.
The lady has a border collie cross, the lady is really nice but her dog has an extendable leash also and she continually keeps letting it go and her dog jumps up at me which I find really annoying as when it is raining or she has just come from the beach my clothes get muddied.
I have asked her not to let it jump up at me and her answer is that `Sultan is just being friendly` So now if I see her with Sultan I just hang back and pretend to be on my phone or walk in another direction.0 -
When a dog comes bounding towards me off lead, it doesn't matter how kind, docile, harrmless, etc YOU think your dog is. Those moments while the dog is running towards me are HORRIFYING. and I can't do a thing about it.
What if a stranger came running at you, put his face in your crotch and started sniffing you? Is that acceptable behavior that you should calmly ask to stop and hope they do? No. So why is that ok from a dog? (it's not)
Yes. I'm kind of scared of dogs, and I hate it when they come running up and jump on me.0 -
There's this lady in the park near where I live. Very posh English lady, about 50-60. Always walks her dog around the same time I do.
Her dog always runs off and she shouts his name in the highest poshest pitch ever. The dog never listens.
One day I couldn't bear it anymore so I asked if she needed some help (seriously she was calling him for like fifteen minutes).
She said, oh no, he is a good boy, won't hurt a fly.
Yeah, sure. But he's got absolutely no respect for his owner. What happens if he feels threatened? Nothing she can do about it, because he will be miles away, ignoring his owner completely.
I gave her some dog training advice. She said she didn't want to 'limit' her precious pooch. Seriously, teaching your dog to listen to you is limiting? She's probably still spending at least half an hour a day calling for her dog, who will come whenever he feels like it.
FYI. Even though my dog is professionally trained, I still only let her off the leash in designated areas. And my dog knows to come the first time I call, otherwise I will come to her and put her back on the leash.0 -
There is a lady that walks her dog on a leash and always comes over to say hello to me and my dog. I shorten my dogs leash and make him sit by my feet.
The lady has a border collie cross, the lady is really nice but her dog has an extendable leash also and she continually keeps letting it go and her dog jumps up at me which I find really annoying as when it is raining or she has just come from the beach my clothes get muddied.
I have asked her not to let it jump up at me and her answer is that `Sultan is just being friendly` So now if I see her with Sultan I just hang back and pretend to be on my phone or walk in another direction.
There are way too many dogs on retractables that should NOT be. Over a certain weight really shouldn't be. And most people don't use them responsibly - a lot of the designs of them, you have to pull the trigger to stop them from extending. I have one that you can lock on either a short leash or go extendable and if it is locked, you have to pull the trigger to extend it or retract it. Whenever we are near people or dogs or see bikes coming on the trail, he is reeled in. I always go with my finger on the "lock" button when he is loose so I can quickly rein him in. I would never allow my dog to approach a person without their consent. They usually give consent though, LOL. He wiggles his butt stub and makes eye contact and that pretty much reels people in. I always thank people for asking if they can touch my dog. He loves attention from any and all people.0 -
Pretty sure it's the law where I live. We've had a lot of children mauled by dogs, so people are pretty careful. I see a lot of people who muzzle their dogs when walking down the streets around my house, mostly because it's a thoroughfare for school/kindergarten children and it can get pretty loud and hectic around school time.
Personally, I think they should be on a leash in a public place. My cousin got attacked by his own dog when he was younger, and I've also had a couple of not so friendly encounters with strangers dogs that make me wary. People forget that they're still animals, and that they don't actually have total control over them.0 -
I have asked her not to let it jump up at me and her answer is that `Sultan is just being friendly`
Ugh, those dog owners are the worst!0 -
I had an interesting experience Tuesday night. I was out on a bike ride and noticed a big-ish dog crossing the street in front of me- big enough that I knew that it could outrun me if I continued. So I stopped and watched as its family (humans) went running after the dog, calling its name. As it came around I knew it would come my way, so just before it noticed me I range the bell on my bike. The dog paused, confused, but put its ears and tail up (usually a good sign in dog-speak).
As the people closed on the dog, one of them advised me, "You'd better move away from him."
That made me angrier than the fact the dog was loose. I can understand how a dog can unexpectedly get away and enjoy some freedom freedom for a few moments. But when its owners imply that it is dangerous to any stranger like that, I can only think that they've done a p!ss-poor job of training it.0 -
Every dog will bite if enough stimulus is presented. If the dog is on a leash you can control what is happening. If the dog is off the leash you can't 100 percent control. I take my dog off the leash when the environment is right, No kids, No high energy dogs, No cars moving etc usually a field or dog park.0
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I think pets need to be on leashes in public places, and even in neighborhood. I'm not questioning the animals obedience. I'm just saying you have to factor in a massive amount of STUPID when it comes to humans.
This.
My dog plays rough, so I keep him on a leash. People who have dogs should know that when one dog is on a leash and the other isn't, it can cause the dog on the leash to stress out. Once I had my dog on a leash tied to a tree and some folks let their dogs run over to him. I told them "my dog sometimes isn't so good with other dogs, you should call them back." They said "oh it's ok." When my dog did exactly what I said he would do, they told me I should have him shot.
Humans can be such idiots.
And, for the record, my dog has never hurt another animal. He plays rough, but he isn't dog aggressive. I have, with the other owners permission of course, let him go at it with other dogs of his breed and 100% of the time when this has happened (and the other owner says "my dog likes to play like that, too") the two dogs end up in a panting pile on the muddy ground slobber-cuddling each other because they had so much fun.
But why some people let their dogs off leash and don't know it's not ok to let your dog go up to a strange dog that is on a leash, or would completely ignore warnings form that dog's owner, then blame the other dog??? Morons.0 -
Its technically "the law" where I live and in general on the streets dogs are always leashed - but in some parks/fields, most people let their dogs off & I've NEVER witnessed anything ever in all my years, & I have 2 dogs & am active outside with them.
Late at night I do let one of my dogs off leash. She is a extremely predictable, trained 7 year old dog who walks by my side.
Generally though I think dogs should be leashed. Better for all parties involved.0 -
I utterly fail to understand why public parks (which are HUGE in the states) can't separate dog free areas like they do in the UK, for use by people who are afraid or intolerant of dogs.
Wait, so... I should be the one restricted to only certain areas of a park in order to avoid dogs off leashes who will almost surely appraoch me against my wishes? HAHAHAHAHA. Sorry, but that's just selfish of you.
Also, you may not realize this, in many US large parks, dogs are required to be on leash for the safety of the local flora and fauna, it doesn't even have anything to do with people...we just don't want your dog crapping in the woods where domesic-dog crap doesnt belong, and we dont want them scaring away or interacting with the wildlife. Plus, parks don't want to deal with pet owners complaining that a skunk or porcupine attacked your precious dog that you refused to control.
I apologize for generalizing, lots of people have some control of their dogs off leash but the overwhelming majority do not.
uh. there are lots of places in the US where dogs aren't allowed. I'm confused.0
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