Home › Forums › Open Discussion › RANT: OFF LEASH DOGS IN WS
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August 3, 2009 at 6:49 pm #591774
MoxiegirlMemberI would like to please remind people: PLEASE EVERYONE – The LEASH LAW exists FOR A REASON. It is for YOUR safety and the safety of YOUR DOG. The city/your N’hood is NOT one big off leash dog park! PLEASE Keep your dog SECURELY behind your fence or ON a leash- at ALL TIMES. PLEASE. Even the one minute from your car to your front door is dangerous. I don’t care how ‘friendly’ HE is. When your off leash dog charges a dog, on leash, any dog, a dog fight *WILL* ensue. Especially if that dog, that is on leash, has any aggressive tendencies already. Most dogs on leash don’t like OFF leash dogs to charge them. Period. It’s the nature of DOGS that BOTH dogs will get aggressive! No matter how ‘friendly’ they may be otherwise.
Most importantly, *YOU* will be held liable for any vet bills or WORSE, if it goes to court, as it is YOUR dog off leash on a city street/sidewalk. It is NOT *YOUR RIGHT* to have your dog off leash. There are designated off leash dog parks for this purpose. Please be careful and just obey the law. It really isn’t that hard.
My dog and I were just attacked while I was out jogging, by a so called ‘friendly’ 100lb dog. Thankfully, no one was badly hurt. But it’s the principle of the matter. This isn’t the 1st time this has happened and I’m over it. When the guy FINALLY got his dog off mine (he was very slow to realize the severity of the situation once his dog started charging mine), although he did say he was sorry, he just walked off and didn’t stop to see my my dog or I was OK. I’d have NO way to follow up with him had my dog been seriously injured, except I know the block he lives on. How can someone be so irresponsible? I’m sorry, but then you shouldn’t be able to have a dog.
I moved to WS a year ago and I can’t get over ALL the off leash dogs here. Please, keep your dog on a leash or behind your fence. If you want to let him run off leash, great, take him to a dog park. I am hyper vigalent and responsible with my dog, and if you do the same with yours, then we will all get along just fine and we can just keep loving our dogs and keeping them safe from any harm.
Thank you.
August 3, 2009 at 6:53 pm #673637
KBearParticipantWell said.
August 3, 2009 at 6:58 pm #673638
datamuseParticipantI’ve stopped running in parks entirely because of this problem and switched to the street–for SOME reason, it’s less of an issue there.
And just last week, somebody’s dog came charging out of their front yard, ran across the street (nearly getting hit by a car in the process), and had to be retrieved by its owner, who didn’t even have the grace to apologize.
My immediate thought was that it would have served the owner (though not, I emphasize, the dog, who clearly didn’t know any better) right if the car had hit it. Which thought is neither kind nor charitable, but I’m just about out of kindness and charity, not to mention patience, on this issue.
August 3, 2009 at 7:22 pm #673639August 3, 2009 at 7:24 pm #673640
sam-cParticipantAugust 3, 2009 at 7:37 pm #673641
JenVMemberyou know what we need? another post about off-leash dogs. anyone?
August 3, 2009 at 7:49 pm #673642
MoxiegirlMemberOk Jen. You go for a jog and see if YOU like being chased by an off leash dog – who attacks YOUR dog, which you have on-leash, obeying the law. Let’s see how YOU like it.
August 3, 2009 at 7:55 pm #673643
MoxiegirlMemberThe moral is…if people would JUST OBEY THE FREAKING LAW, then it would be a NON-issue and the WS Blog would be free and clear of Off Leash Dog posts. Then you can go on and live your happy life. Simple.
August 3, 2009 at 8:05 pm #673644
flowerpetalMemberMoxiegirl, so sorry to read about your frightening experience. You have every right to rant about this. I do imagine that you will not change anyone’s behavior with their dog. Everyone will never obey the law, that one, or any other. If so, there would be no reason for the law.
I like the forum and the opportunity to rant. People must need that avenue. And I guess that JenV deserves the right to rant about a rant.
I hope you and your dog are well and that you will return to running.
August 3, 2009 at 8:33 pm #673645
MoxiegirlMemberThanks Flowerpetal. I appreciate your concern. We are ok. But it WAS my 1st day back at jogging, so it’s a bit discouraging. However, no n’hood is dog free in WS, so not sure where I can go, and of course no park is safe either. (As we all know).
But…you are right. We all have the right to rant. Why THIS rant in particular bothers JenV I have no idea, unless she is one of those people who lets her dog run loose and thinks it’s ok to do so??? Whatever. It is a very frightening experience and wouldn’t wish it on anyone, even her, for being so insensitive.
At anyrate, no… you can’t make everyone obey the law. But, if you make the consequences for breaking it more severe then maybe people would pay attention. So, what…are we all just going to run red lights now b/c we feel like we are above the law? No. (hopefully) Because we know the repercussions.
Again, the leash law exists for a reason. It’s for everyone’s protection – just like stopping at red lights.
August 3, 2009 at 8:46 pm #673646
angelescrestParticipantI have seen so much of it lately–dogs unleashed-and I have been such a wimp about saying something. If anything, your scary tale reinforces the idea that instead of seething silently, I should speak up (yes, kindly, but strongly) even if I embarrass my children. It is those same children who walk our dog on a leash…
August 3, 2009 at 8:58 pm #673647
GenHillOneParticipantMoxiegirl, I doubt JenV – or sam-c before her – thinks that charging off-leash dogs are acceptable. It was simply a commentary on how often we see the topic. Like
https://westseattleblog.com/blog/forum/topic.php?id=4419
https://westseattleblog.com/blog/forum/topic.php?id=2247
https://westseattleblog.com/blog/forum/topic.php?id=1109
https://westseattleblog.com/blog/forum/topic.php?id=3612
https://westseattleblog.com/blog/forum/topic.php?id=447
for starters. When I used the search box, “leash” came up on 466 posts in the forums alone. Doesn’t make your scenario any less scary or important. In fact, emphasizes that it’s an issue for many of us. Unfortunately, looking at the thread dates, it doesn’t seem to be getting any better. Sorry for your experience, I’m glad you guys are okay.
August 3, 2009 at 9:02 pm #673648
MoxiegirlMemberYes Angelescrest- now imagine if an off leash dog runs up to your kids while they are walking your dog (on leash)?? Would they be able to handle the dog fight? Would they get bitten in the process? Can they control your dog – even on leash, especially if the dog weighs more or the same weight? THIS is why it’s SO DANGEROUS! And I am a *HUGE* dog lover. I too have seen so many people w/ their dogs off leash and not said anything, like last week on our super hot day down at Lincoln Park. (I was w/o my dog however and usually only speak up when I am with him). You don’t want to come off as a b*tchy busy body, but we truly all need to speak up – yes, kindly- before someone gets hurt.
August 3, 2009 at 9:10 pm #673649
JenVMembergeez Moxiegirl – sorry I touched a nerve. Was trying to be funny. As GHO pointed out, this topic has been beat to death on this forum. Usually about once a week. I understand it’s a problem. I don’t have a dog, if I did, it would be leashed…lost too many dogs to getting run over by a car when I was young and lived in a rural area. Hate off leash dogs and owners who don’t pick up their poo. going off to hide in the corner now, will avoid further attempts at letting my sense of humor off leash.
August 3, 2009 at 9:20 pm #673650
MoxiegirlMemberSorry I missed the ‘humor’ in your post JenV. I am new to WS and an even newer reader to WS Blog, so I haven’t seen this Off-Leash dog posting-rama. This is the 1st time I’ve posted anything or have seen other posts. NOW I see just what a prevalent problem it is- as GenHillOne showed- (and see why you ‘joked’ the way you did). No worries. I just literally didn’t get it.
August 3, 2009 at 9:54 pm #673651
KimberleyParticipantThose old threads are making my head hurt – where’s the Guinness when you need it?
August 3, 2009 at 11:12 pm #673652
vincentMemberI am so walking my dog off leash tonight.
August 3, 2009 at 11:18 pm #673653
JenVMemberwelcome to the fray, moxiegirl.
August 3, 2009 at 11:51 pm #673654
LeroniusmonkfishMemberWhat about all the off leash cats in WS…I missed two days of work because the neighbours cat “Fluffy” wouldn’t leave my driveway. She just sat there cleaning her claws of death…waiting to pounce on me at the first opportunity.
August 4, 2009 at 12:40 am #673655
CaitParticipantMoxie – what you’re missing here having only been a member for 5 hours is that this subject has been gone over and over and over again to the point where some of us are just sick of it no matter WHAT our opinion. People apt to agree with you (and disagree with you) have argued this point with ill-natured people from both sides and are sick to death of it. Feel free to read through them all but here are some spoilers:
a) No one is going to leash their dog just because you complain about it here. Neither is anyone going to quit playing loud music, park their car elsewhere or quit bringing their snot nosed brats to your favorite restaurant.
b) This topic gets heated quick and it is NEVER pleasant. EVER. Not ONCE has this subject been discussed fairly and without cheap shots. Nor has it EVER been constructive. Feel free to have a non-constructive rant here, but have it once. Use the search field in the forum section to see if this topic has been discussed before – revive it if what you have to say has NOT been said 3 times.
c) In the past these dog posts have been a way for trouble-making “trolls” to get their foot in the door to cause trouble. Not pointing the finger at you, but it’s happened many times. So you’ll excuse folks like JenV and myself for being suspicious of your intentions since you obviously signed up just to complain about this, evidently.
No one who does not leash their dogs is going to start doing it because YOU said so. There are leash laws and though not enforced as often as they though be, they do more than blog ranting. If you don’t like it – confront people. But… that can be just as annoying to the dog owner and the dog is to you. Even the playing field if you want, but you will not win.
Even if everyone DOES leash their dogs you still have to contend with racoons, squirrels and other turdly animals that like to come and be warm, existant and fuzzy in your personal area. And how dare they, anyway.
For the record I do NOT walk my dog off leash. I don’t care for those who do. But I also don’t think it’s constructive to go over and over this god forsaken dead horse of a subject. It’s a sore one. If you didn’t know before you know now.
August 4, 2009 at 1:25 am #673656
EmmyJaneParticipantOff leash cats attack my on leash dog. There’s a small mountain lion of a “cat” on 40th south of the junction that actually stalks us (white fur, huge claws, 4 inch teeth, in case any of you know the lion I speak of…) We’re scared to walk that way any more.
August 4, 2009 at 2:38 am #673657
angelescrestParticipantOr, those of you who are sick of the leash rants could choose not to read them. It’s obviously an ongoing problem, and maybe it does some good to rant, particularly after a harrowing situation–even if it causes some annoyance for the “oldtimers” on this blog. C’mon, the photo of Wasatch Woman allowing her leashless dog to roam on the shoreline was great humor. Did it deter her? Maybe snapping pics is the way to go, but gotta have that camera ready; not so easy with one hand firmly gripping the leash.
August 4, 2009 at 3:12 am #673658
MoxiegirlMemberWow. Guess *I* hit a nerve. Who knew?! I agree with Angelescrest- if you don’t want to read it or see anymore about it – then JUST DON’T READ IT! It’s totally within YOUR power CAIT to NOT click on the link that cleary states “OFF LEASH DOGS”. WTH? It’s not that hard to just NOT read it and read LOTS of other stuff people post.
No. I’m not a TROLL and I didn’t just sign up today as a means to be TROLL-LIKE so I can bother people like YOU with yet another off leash dog post. I HAD NO IDEA!!
I posted to the WS Blog on Facebook and the author TOLD ME TO COME HERE TO POST IT! I HAD NO IDEA THIS EVEN EXISTED before TODAY! Nor, obviously did i know this was SUCH a heated topic!
And I’m sorry – but for those of us who ARE responsible dog owners, I’m not going to SHUT UP and NOT RANT and stay away from posting a blog complaint b/c *YOU* (or others like you) TOLD ME NOT TO, are sick of it and think it’s a BIG WASTE OF TIME! Because you say they won’t stop if *I* say so. Well, I don’t give a rat’s you-know-what. We must continue to speak up – even ad naseau, until people GET IT. Unfortunately, the people that are the offenders probably don’t read it. But maybe it’ll make a difference to a few people, and then a few people more, and so on.
I’m not naive enough to think magically everyone will join hands (or leashes as it were) and start to be responsible just b/c I b*tched about it.
But wow. Who knew the people who ‘troll’ this forum are so damn opinionated! I was posting a PSA basically. LESSON LEARNED. GEEZUS! Don’t you have something better to do?
Being chased and attacked by a dog is quite scary. Maybe you should go through it and then perhaps you’ll join me in the ranting.
And I’m sorry – but squirrels and bunnies and other varmants, even cats, do NOT charge people or dogs aggressively, they run away…and they certainly don’t try to ‘warm up to my personal space’. Please. Keep your patronization to yourself. Talk about non-constructive rhetoric.
And..Off leash dogs are NOT equivalent to noisy babies or parked cars. THIS IS A DANGEROUS situation where REAL HARM can happen -to human or dog. It’s not simply a nusance! This dog could have bitten ME today. It could have seriously hurt my dog and put him in the vet. Dogs are KILLED by dog attacks.
So, I’m sorry you are SOOOOOO PUT OUT by yet another dog post CAIT. MOVE ON and READ SOMETHING ELSE!
Thanks SO MUCH for the WARM welcome. Gezzus! You people seriously need to get a life.
August 4, 2009 at 3:21 am #673659
CaitParticipantSquirrels attack. I’ve seen it.
August 4, 2009 at 3:53 am #673660
angelescrestParticipantMoxie, I don’t know what’s up with the territorial stuff on here: you got two icky welcomes to WS today, and that sucks. Perhaps the heat?
And, sorry, guys, but the leash posts are always of interest to me.
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