Dogs off leash

pucenavel
pucenavel Posts: 972 Member
edited October 2024 in Chit-Chat
What's the best way to handle having someone's dog run up to you when you are on a train that is CLEARLY marked as Leashes Required. I had a dog this morning run up beside me and run along (granted, playfully) for about 100m. It's irritating, but would saying something to them actually do any good? They'll just tell me that their dog is a good dog. Am I in my rights to (gently, mind you, not maliciously) kick the dog away?

Why do dog owners fell it's OK to violate the rules?

..and while I'm on the subject, why don't horse owners have to pick up the equine excrement? And don't give me that "it's good poop" answer. S--t is s--t. Doesn't matter which animals butt it came out of.

BTW - I have two dogs. I don't take them running - they are only ever off leash in their own yard.

Replies

  • Pollyfleming
    Pollyfleming Posts: 147 Member
    I don't think it does any good. I was bitten by a dog in August and it terrifies me when dogs come up to me quickly. The dog that bit me was a family dog and on a leash. I was walking by it (not making eye contact or trying to pet it-I didn't even see it!) and it lunged at my arm. I stopped and grabbed my arm and it bit the back of my leg. I am a dog lover but I can't even describe how scary it was! I had a hole in my arm, blood was everywhere, and I had to go to the ER for 22 stitches. Kind of an awful experience. I always tell people that I'm scared of strange dogs and that I don't like them to come up to me and I get the exact same thing, "oh he wouldn't hurt a flea" "she's as gentle as a lamb." geez...I LOVE my dog and dogs in general. I volunteer for a rescue organization, but since the bite, they scare me and I wish people would keep them on a leash!
  • SueGremlin
    SueGremlin Posts: 1,066 Member
    When I am approached by a dog, I stop dead in my tracks. If the owner is nearby, ask them to please get him because I am afraid of dogs. Of course they will argue with you and tell you their dog would not hurt a fly, but a repeat, verbatim, of "I am afraid of dogs, please come and get him" will hopefully get their attention. You might have to say it several times.
    I am not afraid of dogs, but I know that running will trigger even the best dogs to bite you.
  • clydethecat
    clydethecat Posts: 1,087 Member
    dogs off leash is a huge point of contention for me. i always walk my dog on a leash, shes a huge 80lb black lab that loves to jump up on people.. shes a love, but shes big and scary so i always have her right by my side. i have no idea why these people think its ok to let their dog off leash in public. we were walking around this little lake in my town and this huge pit bull came up on us, snarling and i kicked it away. at that point the owners came up and yelled at me, i got out my phone ready to call 911 and they got their dog back on leash and ran out of the park. i think dog owners that let their dog off leash are horrible. there is no excuse for letting your dog off leash in public. in your own home sure, in a dog part ok, not in public! jerks.
  • woou
    woou Posts: 668 Member
    It's not in anyone's right mind to kick a dog unless they're being violent towards you. It's not their fault they're not leashed. It's the owner's. Take it up with the owner. By no means, take it up with the dog.

    You can report the situation to an employee working on the train, so they can remind the owner about the rule, give them a warning, etc. Also, you can make a complaint towards the company about the situation, so they can be more strict about it, and you're less likely to deal with the situation in the future.

    As for poop, they all need to be picked up, if it's not done on the owner's property.
  • ChellieIrish
    ChellieIrish Posts: 593 Member
    Hi there :bigsmile:

    I am mum to 3 Bichon Frise and while yes they love to run free I am wary that not all people like them or possibly some could be scared of them. Now bear in mind they are small, white and fluffy and would love to just run up and say hi LOL :laugh:

    In saying that if and when we are out walking in a place that is busy with other people they are on an extendible lead, they still get to roam but I have control of them :wink: If however we are in wooded areas/own garden/quiet beach in Winter etc .. I let them off leash IMO we as owners need to be wary of other peoples feelings :bigsmile:

    My biggest peeve is when owners don't pick up after their own dogs that is just nasty :grumble: I've seen it a million times :noway: even on footpaths I've had some near misses walking down the street :mad:

    If I had them off lead and someone politely asked me to keep them away I would have no problem in putting them back on, in fact if I see someone coming towards us and they are off I call them back to me to do that and usually apologise before they can say anything LOL

    Instead of even gently pushing the dog away from you I would try and get the owners attention and ask them to call them back as you are training and the dog is distracting you just my opinion as an owner tho :wink: I would be quite upset if someone was to do that :smile:

    With regard to the horses where I live now is an equine property and I HATE the mess they leave I am living here only for the house not the horses as well I don't like them plus as a child one bit me LOL

    When I asked a good friend about the poop I was told it is legal to let them do it wherever they walk ughhhh it makes me so annoyed ... I don't really care if it's not unhealthy for the environment or whatever reasons it's yucky :grumble:
  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,458 Member
    Yeah, it's a real problem.

    I am not afraid of dogs, I have been bitten by a German Shepherd, and I know they can smell fear. But running can also trigger their prey drive, and that's how I got bitten.

    But people either need to control their animals off leash or keep them on leash.

    Every time I am at the beach at least one dog charges me - usually in a playful state; but I still don't want them jumping on me. I do hit them HARD with my leg or knee if they jump.
  • Shoechick5
    Shoechick5 Posts: 221 Member
    Big problem in my area too. Couple of months ago I had a dog jump up at me putting his claws right through my new Lululemon shorts and brand new shirt...I was pissed. While I love dogs, I will be a little more forceful next time.
  • Candeka
    Candeka Posts: 7 Member
    My dogs are off leash at the off leash dog parks. These parks run along side a pretty river. Joggers love to use this path to run on. I know this is not your case, but I can't stand the joggers who get annoyed because there are dogs off leash in an off leash area! However, if anyone kicked my dog, I'd lose it. My dog is always close enough for me to see it and hear any commotion. If someone does not want my dog near them, all they need to do is say "Go away!" and point, and I will be there in 10 seconds to collect my dog. The only time it would be okay to kick a dog is it it attacks you. Please kick away at that point. But if my dog calmly walks up to you, sniffs you, and you kick it, then that is NOT okay. In fact, where I live, if you were to injure my dog enough to where it had to go to the vet because you "gently kicked it" a little to hard, I'd be sure to press charges against you for you to pay for the bill.

    With all of this begin said, I hate when big dogs walk past me as my neighbors dog randomly bit me one day while I was just walking by it on the street (the owners had it on a leash and were just passing by). I still never ever kick them. I just either move to the side, or stand still until they pass.

    As you stated, this dog was just calmly next to you. Why on earth would you kick the poor creature? I hate kids, but you don't see me kicking kids just because they get in my way at a store because the parents are letting them run loose. All it takes is "please control your children" or "Please keep your dog away from me".. and bam problem solved.... Well until you run into the next loose dog or child.
  • kit_katty
    kit_katty Posts: 992 Member
    I have another point to add, I'm a runner, and I tend to run on sidewalks through the neighbourhood. Now, most dog owners, when they see me coming, will keep their dog on a shorter leash, pull over, etc. However, it's awful when they leave the dogs on a long leash, I've had dogs try and jump on me, lunge, etc. It's dangerous for the dog and me, I might clip the dog and I might fall badly because of the dog. Stupid inconsiderate owners.
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