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12 out of 18 dogs off leash at Lincoln Park this a.m.

Started 3 years ago by aunteesocial
Latest reply from B-squared

aunteesocial
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I know this topic has been discussed time and time again. My apologies for dragging it out again, and for being long-winded, but I'm shaken up and just plain "tired of it" today.

This morning near 10 a.m., I was walking through Lincoln Park and 12 out of the 18 dogs I counted were running around w/o a leash. 3 of these dogs were on the beach of the park (big signs, not allowed).

I believe that there are well-behaved dogs that are capable of being off-leash, but there are laws that the community should follow at public parks. I can almost accept that if you have complete voice command control over your dog should it ever be off leash in public. There are many well-trained dogs and for the most part this morning all went well.

But the 9th and 10th off-leash offenders were 2 very big black dogs. They came bounding up the stairs from the beach, running over to me and my 2 dogs. They circled us, and I got all twisted up in the leashes trying to reign in my dogs and I had to (yell) to the owner to "Leash your dogs!" They said, all friendly-like, "Sorry if they scared your dogs". Did they not see the potential for disaster? I told them that they weren't sorry and tried to get us out of there as calm as possible.

What would have been a sorry event is if any of us had to make a trip to the vet this morning. If my dogs felt I, or one of them, was being threatened they could try to protect me, or each other.

If the leash would have snapped away from me, who would have been sorry had my dog ran down the beach and up to the street, and then what?

I do keep pepper spray in my pocket, (for the 'bad guy') and have never been forced to use it, but that would have been sorry as well.

My dogs would love nothing more than to be allowed to run on that beach, and it's hard to realize how much joy they would have to run free, but we obey the rules. Maybe we should follow by example, and disobey??

Where is the Enforcement? There could have been some Seattle Parks revenue; In Seattle parks leash, license and scoop fines range from $50-$150, and up to $500 on beaches. I'm not the best at math, but that's about $2500 in the hour and a half I was there.

"Don't worry, they're friendly" can be just the phrase you hear before a dog fight between an off leash dog and a leashed dog. A off-leash dog should not be permitted to approach a restrained dog out of respect for the dogs and the owner, there is no way to know what will happen. The restrained dog can feel at a disadvantage, or have a variety of conditions that could create a fear-based fight.

I know that dog parks aren't always the most fun, but that is where Seattle dog owners are allowed to have this privilege. We've unfortunately had more than one frightening experience at Westcrest with aggressive and predatory dogs, and don't go there now. And if you have a dog that loves water, Magnuson is all right, but the beach is small potatoes compared to how much fun Lincoln Park would be.

Something that I've read in a variety of books and publications is that "it's not if, but when." This is something that everyone should keep in mind with any dogs. They are Canine, and that can be stronger than anyone saying sit, or come. Canine nature needs to be respected. They are not small children at a playground. Children don't have long jaws full of sharp teeth.

I know there will be people who disagree with me, but the topic has to do with safety and the off chance of "when" not "if" occurs and everyone is off to the vet, or hospital, or searching for a frightened dog running away from their "friendly" attacker.

Thanks for reading, if you made it to the end of this... I wish nothing but the best for everyone and their pets. They bring us such joy, but we have a responsibility to ourselves, our pets and the community at large that they bring no potential of danger or fear to anyone. I felt fear this morning of "what if", and "sorry" certainly would not have paid Sunday morning Emergency Vet.

Thanks again for reading.

(I've also copied this to the Seattle Parks Dept.)

Posted 3 years ago #
Diane
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thanks so much for your post, and glad to hear you copied to parks dept
~
the “dogs running loose” issue makes me crazy; I work with very young children, take them to parks, and tend to avoid Lincoln Park for this very reason; it's just too dangerous with all the dog owners who ignore the law, even though signs are clearly posted, letting their dogs run all over, often up to the children in my care; this is a HUGE safety issue
~
I don’t understand why there is no monitoring of this at Lincoln Park; clearly the owners that let their dogs off-leash know they can get away with it; sure hope you get some response from the parks dept; explanation for lack of enforcement at the least; even better would be taking positive action in enforcing the law

Posted 3 years ago #
ellenater
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This is really weird to me. Not what you said but the fact that I go to Lincoln all the time and have NEVER seen this! I've seen a few dogs down on the sand a few times but ALWAYS on leash. So is it a regular thing? I agree that dogs should be on leashes and always have mind leashed. I also almost always keep her off the sand. I say almost because I will go down there if no one else is there. But I am very conscious of making sure she never goes to the bathroom down there. BTW, I know I'm wrong on this, it's just a personal choice.

Posted 3 years ago #
Julie
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aunteesocial and ellenater, and all the responsible dog owners out there, thank you for keeping your dogs leashed! Many of us truly appreciate it.

Posted 3 years ago #
aunteesocial
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Maybe this was an out of the ordinary experience, but it was surprising to me that there were way too many dogs running off leash. 12 of 18, well 20 counting mine. So just over half. Most were away from the paths. That wasn't such a problem to me personally. The ones that we had to pass on the trail, and the two that came over and pestered us on the path by the water- that's where it becomes a safety issue.

When Diane mentioned that she's had happen with loose dogs and children under her care-- well, I don't have kids, but I can't imagine how scary that must be for parents or those that take care of children, not to mention the child.

I don't go to Lincoln Park all of the time, maybe twice a month on the weekend, and usually later in the day- probably when the park is more populated and people are more conscious of keeping their dogs leashed. When there were 3 dogs off leash before I made it out of the parking lot, I started counting. I was unpleasantly surprised.

I also don't usually don't walk there by myself, and likely won't do that again on a Sunday morning. In fact, there were two sets of some sketchy characters coming through the park that I felt I needed to turn around at the top of the park and walk around to the top of the waterfront on the street (missing my favorite part of the walk, the steep trail down to the waterfront, boo hoo). I got the feeling that these folks may still have been up from Saturday night.. ? It was not such a great morning for me to feel safe, even with my toothy four-legged friends. Even they got spooked. Better luck next time I suppose.

Chalking it up to a bad day, but if it is ever this bad again I may have to ask if they wouldn't mind me taking their picture for a school project, The Nature of Entitlement? Just kidding, but hey.

And yes, it is a riot to watch the dogs play in sand! What fun! I don't like anything about the rules that dogs cannot be on the beach on leash. I do have trouble with that one, and I have a hard time smiling back at the people who are walking along the beach looking up at us on the path, my two tied up and wishing (I'm just guessing.. it's me that is wishing) they could join in the fun. I think it's best to have them on leash on a beach anyway because of all the dead junk they can roll in... ew. I'm sure they would love that, but yucko-!

Off to walk the dogs again, we'll be on the sidewalk- on the lookout for loose dogs, chicken bones that the crows drop from the power lines, pork chops (yesterday), gum, street lunatics, and the occasional grandma. My big dog is scared of that grandma for some reason...? Never a dull moment!

Posted 3 years ago #
B-squared
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What aunteesocial is describing is what i typically observe as well. Today, over half of the dogs i saw were off-lease. I really don't get it. I get that americans feel entitled to do what they want and there isn't much respect for others anymore. what i can't understand is why the laws aren't enforced. It seems to me it would pay for itself easily. i would love to see a mobile (perhaps bike-mounted) animal control person patrolling the park. Especially the beach.

Posted 3 years ago #
JimmyG
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Don't just report it to the Parks Dept.

Online you can report violations of the leash law direct to Seattle Animal Control.

They try to patrol areas with any of their free time they have based on complaints received.

Posted 3 years ago #
arietta
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Just adding my observations about how many off-leash dogs I see every time I go to Lincoln Park (2-3 times/week, midday or later). I love dogs, too, and don't have one. So I just behave as a proper passive aggressive Seattleite: smile at the cute doggies while silently cursing their owners' disrespect. :) aunteesocial, the letter to the Parks Dept. is a great idea.

Posted 3 years ago #
aunteesocial
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I looked up the Parks Department, but actually found that Animal Control had the best form of contact to report off leash violations, and specifically off leash violations in our parks.

Posted 3 years ago #
hammerhead
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As a responsible dog owner, I am sorry to say the the animal control officers really do have more important things to tend to ie;animal abuse neglect, not to mention taking care of the shelters. I understand your fustrations. It does suck that people don't follow the rules. This in my eyes should be a police matter. People actually might take it more seriously.

Posted 3 years ago #
datamuse
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I've mentioned this before, but have pretty much dropped out of the discussion entirely because it doesn't seem to do any good:

I've stopped going to Westcrest Park and Lincoln Park entirely because of this issue. Yeah, I know Westcrest has an off-leash dog area. That doesn't explain why I can't walk on the trails outside the fenced area without encountering at least one off-leash dog, and usually more than one, at any given time.

It also doesn't justify the times I've been chased, barked at, growled at, and nipped, three times in the past two months while walking or running in Seattle public parks. The most recent incident was just a week ago and it's the one that decided me--in fact, it was very reminiscent of what happened to you, aunteesocial, to the point that I'm wondering if it was the same people/dogs.

I get that Seattle's animal control has other things to do; I've thought about volunteering for them, in fact, because they do a lot of really good work. I do report when I encounter off leash aggressive dogs, but not with any real belief that it'll make any difference.

So, I walk and run on the street now. Too bad for me, I guess. I've given up.

Posted 3 years ago #
guidosmom
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I go to Lincoln Park on a regular basis, and have been doing so for at least 7 years. What aunteesocial saw is something that I see almost every time I go. I would love to be able to walk both my dogs there at the same time, but can't do so any more because of our encounters with off leash dogs each time. My smaller dog has been attacked by off leash dogs too many times now. It's getting quite ridiculous. Especially when West Crest off leash dog park is fairly close by. Aunteesocial, I am so sorry for what you experienced, and my dogs and I are as equally frustrated. Lately I feel like the only safe place to walk them together is Greenlake. :( I'd love to be able to walk them on leash in West Seattle without off leash dogs (Yes... even chihuahuas) charging at us!

Posted 3 years ago #
angelescrest
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Before you go to Greenlake...We (mom or dad or kids) all feel comfortable walking our pooch anywhere around Alki Point. I too am jittery around off-leash dogs, but along that stretch from 63rd/Beach to Alki (around the Lighthouse), I have not seen an off-leash dog. And the views are gorgeous!

Posted 3 years ago #
ellenater
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Wow, that sucks! I guess we've been lucky. I think I have maybe seen one off leash dog at Lincoln Park, EVER. We go at off times, though. It sounds like it's a real problem!

I got sketched out there the other day, too. That's no fun. But maybe today was extra bad? It was here and we didn't even go to Lincoln Park.

Posted 3 years ago #
Jacob
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"They said, all friendly-like, "Sorry if they scared your dogs". Did they not see the potential for disaster? I told them that they weren't sorry and tried to get us out of there as calm as possible."

Why would you tell them they weren't sorry? If you wanted to keep things as calm as possible, that was a really stupid thing to say. Say that to the wrong person and you might end up needing to use that pepper spray.

Posted 3 years ago #
aunteesocial
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Thanks Jacob (and you better not be my nephew Jacob, or I'll tell your dad!).
Now I'm stupid.. that hurts actually, but hey I'm just text on your screen.

In retrospect, I would have invited them to tea and handed them a pamphlet on canine behavior and training techniques, but I had just been spun around by my frightened dogs and tangled in two leashes and scared that my little guy was going to about to be bitten. Their "all friendly like" was totally fake, disengaged, clueless, and thinking they could smile and aw shucks their way out of it. I would have much rather shouted some expletives, but saying "no you're not" was not going to get me beat up.

I had already walked out of the park once to distance myself from what I saw as being the 'wrong people' to find myself with this lovely couple and their ill-behaved hounds.

Please don't tell me that was a stupid thing to say. I would not use that phrase in conversation with someone I did not know, or someone I knew for that matter, as it is unkind.

Posted 3 years ago #
abstract
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Wow... Jacob, what is your problem? Clearly it is illegal to have dogs off leash. WTF??

Posted 3 years ago #
Diane
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ok Jacob, now you have slid down that slippery slope from calling her words stupid, to name calling "Hypocrite", which is against the wsblog rules; please don't
~
back to the point of this thread, dogs off-leash, thanks to everyone for the feedback; nice to hear I'm not alone in just wanting to feel as safe as possible while walking in our parks

Posted 3 years ago #
Jacob
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My apologies, Is it OK to call ones actions hypocritical?

As for dogs, the dangerous ones that people should worried about aren't going to be stopped by a loosely held leash.

Posted 3 years ago #
amrakx
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Thanks for the post. My little Shih-apso, Coby,(leashed) was attacked by two seemingly friendly off leash white labs, on a trail at Lincoln Park recently. The owners were unable to control their animals and I barely managed to grab and lift Coby out of harm's way in the nick of time. I immediately reported the incident to Animal Control with time and location descriptions. The owners were embarassed but their actions were inexcusable. Dogs are animals and even the friendliest of dogs can react unpredictably. Coby is friendly and small in size and I am very protective of him. He is very social but for his own protection I keep him leashed and close to my side. He is not aggressive by any means and needless to say the encounter was unprovoked. In any case, dogs need to be leashed at parks with the requirement, this is a public park for everyone to enjoy. Allowing your dogs to roam unleashed is selfish and presumptuos and I will continue to report violations. It's a matter of respect and consideration for everyone.

Posted 3 years ago #
aunteesocial
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Sorry to hear about your Coby! That's awful, and sounding too familiar.

Yet another recent example at Lincoln Park:
http://westseattleblog.com/blog/?p=5778

This is real life, and the above posts gives more examples of a law-breaking owners with bad results. Regarding the topic of off leash dogs and potential disaster, much could be avoided by simply following WA State Law.

Some dogs and their owners are great, some are not- sometimes there are irresponsible owners, for example- the people who I found to be careless that had 2 unleashed large dogs that circled us and frightened my 2 dogs on leash. I find that to be a problem, and against the law.

One never knows what will happen, and it is not always the dog that is off leash that you need to worry about. It could very well be how the on-leash dog reacts to being approached by an unfamiliar canine while on restraint. Sadly, this can go way wrong, way fast. We all need to play by the rules, for successful interaction whether it is in a dog park, a city park or sidewalk. If the leash is held at all, that would be at least a start and following the law. Any dog can break free of their lead, of course, but if there is no leash at all, then someone is not doing their best to create a safe environment.

I respect many of today's posts with great advice, experience, and concern. Read ya later- and best to everyone and their four-legged friends!

Posted 3 years ago #
Jiggers
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Lincoln Park ....every tree is ladened with dog urine.

Posted 3 years ago #
JoB
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The off leash dogs issue has been ongoing for the past year.. but seems to be getting worse again.

hubby came home this weekend wondering if he would be brought up on assault charges if he carried a paintball gun.

i asked him if he planned to use it on the dogs or their owners.

He pulls the dog to the side and goes out of his way to avoid other dogs on his walks with our leashed dogs.. but still encounters at least one unleashed animal up close and personal on nearly every walk.

Sooner or later something very ugly is going happen.

Posted 3 years ago #
mellaw6565
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Jiggers - how do you know? Have you smelled every one?

Posted 3 years ago #
beachdrivegirl
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hammerhead, I have to disagree. I believe that this is not a police matter. Until we have a control on crime and gang violence in the West seattle area I would much rather see our funding for the police department go towards criminals than those dog owners who have their pets off leash. I do agree that the animal control department is better equipped to handle those offenders.

Posted 3 years ago #
aunteesocial
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When I looked into reporting the violation of leash laws, it was Animal Control that had the online form to report- and a specific field for reporting leash violations in Seattle Parks. http://www.seattle.gov/animalshelter/ServiceRequest/ServiceRequest.asp

I got an auto-reply indicating they received my form, but I will let you know if I hear anything more.

I realize that Animal Control is busy and very likely under-staffed, but I really think someone should be enforcing these safety violations.
There are matters perhaps more extreme, neglect, abuse, all of those awful unpleasantries, but dog bites are very serious issues as well. I'm getting the impression that one person issuing citations just at Lincoln Park could easily pay for this position in a couple of days! Not to mention, having someone there to alert police some of the other "goings on" at Lincoln Park. Are there ever patrols there? I saw police once, on the 4th of July, but I'm not there often enough to know.

It is such a beautiful park, it's too bad that we have to be on high alert when we visit. Such is life, I suppose.

Posted 3 years ago #
thee
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the keyboard damp with hot tears, the OP typed:
"And yes, it is a riot to watch the dogs play in sand! What fun! I don't like anything about the rules that dogs cannot be on the beach on leash. I do have trouble with that one, and I have a hard time smiling back at the people who are walking along the beach looking up at us on the path, my two tied up and wishing (I'm just guessing.. it's me that is wishing) they could join in the fun. I think it's best to have them on leash on a beach anyway because of all the dead junk they can roll in... ew. I'm sure they would love that, but yucko-!"

man, those poor dogs...

thee

Posted 3 years ago #
aunteesocial
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It's gross but true. Their concept of fun- well I get most of it.. run, play, dig, fetch, roll in dead stuff..? Ew!

Posted 3 years ago #
keleeso
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I wonder if one of the animal control groups could get someone to patrol the park in an overtime-type agreement... That way they are not taking resources currently in use and the fines they could potentially collect would more than cover the costs.

Posted 3 years ago #
Traci
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I wonder how many people are reading this thread that DO let their dogs go leash-less at parks...

I don't have a dog and have honestly never even thought about this subject. I like seeing off-leash dogs swim in the water though, admittedly it always makes me smile. Hopefully those people leash them up when they're out of the water.

Anyway. If a few people are "enlightened" by this thread, your argument has diverted a future situation at the park.

Posted 3 years ago #
beachdrivegirl
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traci,
I have said that I let my dog off leash and will continue to do so. I dont in large parks like Lincoln Park but I do at others. I even started a topic about it after some individuals were going to such extremes in the anti-threads as to suggest to call 911?!? I was surprised at the support I got by others like me who do and will continue to let our dogs off leash. I am sorry about the situation above, but do have to agree that if people are worried about aggressive dogs a leash is not going to stop them. They just arent that strong.

Posted 3 years ago #
Traci
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Well...Some of them ARE that strong, but then it's really a matter of owner responsibility. I knew someone that had the laziest, and I mean laziest Great Dane in the entire world. Couldn't care less about what was going on around her. Then I know a couple smaller, harmless dogs that are lightening fast off the leash. They run and don't stop!

If you have a dog that's calm and trustworthy leashless, I completely understand where you're coming from (and thinking that the backlash is a little too much). But then it gets to the situation of "one person does it, then another, then another..." and then irresponsible dogs and their owners think it's ok to loose the leash.

Beachdrive, if you're in a smaller park (or even parts of Lincoln Park, like the ballfields) - I think it's almost mean not to let your dog chase a ball or run in the grass. It's just a matter of knowing what your dog can and can't handle.

Posted 3 years ago #
CP
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I say this as a loving dog parent - I love my dog. But he's a big slobbering idiot. No more than two brain cells to rub together at any given time. He's ill behaved, kinda scary looking but in the end he's just curious and lacking in social graces. I would never let him off the leash. EVER! I have a hard enough time taking him out in public ON a leash. He's not aggressive, I could just see where he'd scare someone else.

It's really all about knowing your dog and using common sense. There are risks letting your dog off leash no matter their size that need to be acknowledged. I don't mind well behaved off-leash dogs (and I agree it is entertaining to watch them have fun!) it's just the ill behaved dogs (and owners!) that really ruin it for everyone else. Isn't that how it always goes. A good thing ruined by people not using common sense.

Posted 3 years ago #
beachdrivegirl
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"A good thing ruined by people not using common sense." --isnt that life?:)

Posted 3 years ago #
Anonymous
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BDG, maybe you haven't incurred this yet, but it doesn't necessarily take a *known* aggressive dog to cause a problem in this scenario. Something psychological happens in their little doggie heads when a leashed dog meets up with un-leashed one. And it is often the one on the leash that lashes out first in response to the situation.

When every dog is loose, such as the off leash park, they get along. If every dog is on a leash, they concentrate on their own agenda with their owner, and seem to ignore each other for the most part. There is trouble when you mix one of each. The leashed dog perceives some kind of threat. The off leash owners think to themselves it wasn't my dog who started the aggression so I'm fine. When actually the mere fact of their dog being loose, is the cause of the threat.

I get it when you're way off by yourselves or in the little fenced area you've personally found. But for those in a busy public area open to all, it is selfish and rude to think you are not part of the problem having your dog run loose.

Posted 3 years ago #
miws
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".....he's a big slobbering idiot. No more than two brain cells to rub together at any given time. He's ill behaved, kinda scary looking but in the end he's just curious and lacking in social graces."

OMG, CP! You've just described ME! :-P

Mike

Posted 3 years ago #
CP
Member Profile

LOL! Mike - that's hilarious! I bet you're housebroken though. My little bugger uses urine as a measure of letting us know when he's mad. If he's happy he will wait as long as it takes to get him outside... oh but when we hasn't had his afternoon biscuit... it's a different story.

BDG - that's the truth if I've EVER heard it. *sigh*

Posted 3 years ago #
andee
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Thank for posting this. Take heart, there are other folks out like yourself there who are really tired of a huge number of folks who do not want to subscribe to city ordinances,community cooperation and/or understand the lack of respect for others sharing the park with dogs (people, park wildlife and marine wildlife). I know it's a bummer, but the codes are there for lots of good reasons, including your own dog,the safety of all park patrons, the peace of mind of all park patrons-especially children, pet waste, protection of marine habitat (the area between the shelter and the point is designated reserve - so in addition to no dogs allowed on Seattle beaches - double the bad for being in the reserve area, especially off leash).

Some days it's so annoying for both myself and my dog that I have counted them myself. There are ALWAYS a few and sometimes I have seen similar scenarios - tends to be in the "off" times (maybe when folks think less of a chance to be caught?)

There are patrols in Lincoln Park and have seen them handing out tickets on the beach, but granted they aren't here very often.

I know the regulations are not palatable to our desire to see our charge roam and play freely, but until they change, that's part of living and SHARING our parks with 600,000 other Seattle citizens, and an estimated 125,000 Seattle dogs. Only about 9 or 10 city parks that are actually big enough to take a dog for a decent walk....that's a potential 14,000 dogs sharing any given park area. That can add up to a lot of potential conflict without leash laws.

I would love to see an exemption if you could pass a test to show complete voice command control. Not many owners are capable of that, but maybe it would be good incentive. My experience is though, that those same owners are not the ones with the dogs off-leash.

Posted 3 years ago #
smikes
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I visit Lincoln Park occasionally, and have encountered the non-leash people. I have had occasion to tell people a couple of times to get there animal under control because it came over (uninvited) to my leashed dog. The arrogant and defensive responses I've received from these people are astounding. Really, you think you are justified in defending your actions when you are clearly breaking the rules? Sounds like you are inviting confrontation.

Secondly, anybody who knows my german shepherd thinks he is one of the sweetest, most well behaved dogs they've come across. People have actually asked me if I'm a police officer or if he's a police dog, because he minds pretty darn well - much above average. But here's the thing - most of the time, he doesn't like dogs that are measurably smaller than him. Seems like many of you offleashers think it's just peachy to have your small dog come check my dog out when I'm trying to walk away to avoid a possible situation. Then when my dog snaps or snarls at yours, all of sudden we are the bad guys. Get a clue!

Posted 3 years ago #
datamuse
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You know, honestly? I would love it if we could let dogs roam freely. I've been in places where they do, legally, and by and large it isn't a problem.

But, legalities aside, the sheer number of aggressive dogs (and if charging, chasing, growling, and nipping at my clothes aren't aggressive behaviors, I'd sure like to know what is--does it only count if there's blood?) I've personally encountered in the last few months alone makes it really hard for me to support the idea.

I'd like to think it's not just me; I don't behave in a hostile way to dogs I encounter, and MOST of the time it's okay. When it isn't, yes, I do call animal control. I haven't yet seen a convincing argument for not doing so.

Posted 3 years ago #
JoB
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I'm with smikes...

someone decides their dog shouldn't have to obey the rules.. and then walks or runs without paying any attention to where their dog is.

When i call to ask them to leash their dog, many of them act like i am the problem...

my dogs are always leashed... and if on a retractable leash, i know exactly where they are.

If everyone else in the park knew exactly where their animal was and what they are doing, there wouldn't be a problem.

but there is.

Posted 3 years ago #
AlkiDebbie
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Lincoln Park is only a few blocks away from my house but I never take my yorkie there because I'm afraid the aggresive big dogs will atack her. It would be nice if people would obey the rules so we could all enjoy the park.

Posted 3 years ago #
RS
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Thank you AlkiDebbie! I made this point on a similar thread a while back. Saying "I let my dog off-leash, but only when there aren't people around" or "my dog has never bothered anyone while off-leash" just doesn't cut it. Your seemingly harmless actions may have deterred many people from even GOING to that park in the first place. If I was afraid of dogs or had small children or skittish dogs myself and I was reading this thread or heard about all the off-leash dogs at a certain park, or even drove by and saw off-leash dogs, I would then have to avoid that park out of fear. That isn't right or fair.

Posted 3 years ago #
spana
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To piggyback on what RS said, and possibly repeat a sentiment I skimmed over, I am a dog owner that HATES off leash dogs. My little weiner is no prince: he has some issues. I would love to take him to places like Lincoln Park, but just keeping HIM leashed isn't enough -- if a big (or small) dog comes bounding towards him, even happily, he's going to respond aggressively out of fear. And I couldn't even really blame the other dog for responding in turn, but I can blame the owner for having their pet off leash somewhere they shouldn't be.

Posted 3 years ago #
miws
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"I bet you're housebroken though."

Ermmm....no comment....

*Embarrassed*

Mike

Posted 3 years ago #
datamuse
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RS: as I said previously, off-leash dogs have deterred me from going to certain parks. One could argue that that's my problem to deal with, and so I suppose it is. On the other hand, it feels a lot like being penalized for other people's disregard of the law. Which, you know, sort of sucks.

Posted 3 years ago #
RS
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It totally sucks, datamuse! The laws are in place so that everyone can enjoy the parks. I love dogs and I have a dog but I also respect that many people DON'T like dogs or are afraid of them. I think too many dog owners forget that.

Posted 3 years ago #
B-squared
Member Profile

As someone who volunteers in the monthly Friends of Lincoln Park Cleanup (restoring native forested areas), i can't tell you how annoying it is to be doing restoration work and having off-leash dog bounding through the underbrush, off-trail no less! I visit the park to enjoy nature (the plants and animals that live there) and i try to give back. and while i love animals, there are rules for reasons. One man i met on the beach bragged that his dog had gone after a seal in the water.

I honestly don't get what compels people to be so selfish. especially in light of all of the examples of the impact of off leash behavior on this blog alone. It can't even be ignorance anymore after reading all of the above. The off-leash people just don't seem to give a sh*t about anyone else.

Posted 3 years ago #