"On the Loose"?? or "At Large"??
By jessigirl116
@jessigirl116 (848)
United States
May 14, 2008 6:26pm CST
At a recent city council meeting in my town, the problem of all the unleashed dogs was brought up. They plan on cracking down on people who have dogs that are 'at large' and I have a problem with this. There is a huge difference between my dog being 'loose' and being 'at large'. I walk my hound/heeler(in the picture) every day & I hardly ever use the leash. He is not technically 'loose' as I have full control even when he's not on the leash. He comes immediately when I say his name, he is incredibly non-vicious, he doesn't jump up on people, he loves kids and he does very well with new dogs. He doesn't even chase cats! He is never on the loose. I have also never had a problem with animal control or the police.
On the other hand, I have a neighbor that just opens his door and let's his dogs out. They run all over town and at least one of them is known to be vicious, he bit my 5 year old nephew for nothing. I am a firm believer in the law, and it should be enforced. If they see my dogs wandering around town, I'll take the ticket. When we walk somewhere I am responsible, I leash them up when I see it's necessary. I don't let my dogs run the neighborhood even though they are good and loving, mostly because I don't want them using other peoples yards as their bathroom. That's my biggest issue with people who don't keep their animals under control. Come over to my house and clean up after your dog!!
4 people like this
4 responses
@sisterjinx (1135)
• United States
14 May 08
One irresponsible person can mess things up for everyone. Unfortunately if they let some people keep their dogs off the leash then they have to do it for everyone and not everyone is as responsible as you nor does everyone have as good control of their dogs as you.
At the first campground we stayed at there was a leash rule. This one couple did not follow it. However they assured me, as I was walking around one day, that the dog was friendly and didn't wander. So a couple of days later I was walking through the park and the dog jumped out of the back of their camper and came after me all teeth. Where were the owners? In their camper paying no attention until I hollored and she came out in time to stop the dog from getting to me.
Now I live across from a home that has 8 dogs. These dogs run all over their property and that is fine. The problem is that when I take my dog out for a walk, these dogs come over to try and see us and at least one of them is not all that friendly.
I used to feel the same way about my dog. She is well behaved and listens. She doesn't run off if not on the leash. However, I have learned that not everyone wants to see her as much as she thinks they do. And I have also learned that if I am to expect others to respect the leash law that I have to do the same. It's a shame that not all owners are responsible owners but it is a fact and I would prefer that THEIR dogs are leashed. Therefore I keep mine leashed.
@jessigirl116 (848)
• United States
16 May 08
Thank you very much for responding and doing it so well. I see both sides a bit more clearly. The neighbors dogs( a lot of the time) rush the kennel fence where my dogs are and then they are all barking. Loudly. That's as close as the dogs can get to my dogs. Although, I let my dogs out the front door when we are going somewhere, usually 1 at a time, and when they are actually next to each other they are on guard but not fighting. They sniff each other and circle each other, but then they separate.
I'm very sorry that you have first hand knowledge of how vicious dogs can be, but thankfully it was not worse. I have bared witness to a cat climb up my son's legs, clawing, scratching, and biting all the way. He was 3 1/2. She was protecting her babies from a small dog that didn't even know the babies were there. I had my daughter in my arms, she was about 9 months, so I couldn't really do anything. Plus, he was a few feet away and it only took about 3 seconds. I had nightmares for months, I can still work up tears when I really think about it. He will be 15 this year.
Thanks for your post!!
@kaysue4 (951)
• United States
15 May 08
It only take one attack on someone to ruin it for the law abiding people. Now, if my kids forget to lock the back door, my dogs know how to open the door and then they are on the run. They are not mean, but I also don't want to take the chance of someone getting hurt or someone hurting them.
Several years ago, I got bit by a pit bull mixed dog. He was tied up for three months after the owners moved out of the house. The dog got loose and I was in my back yard with my boys and I ended up between my kids and the dog. The dog got me. But it is people that are like this is why the laws are kicking in. To prevent this from happening.
Now, if I was walking a dog like yours, I would teach him to carry the leash in his mouth, so he is under a leash and you can just grab it if you need to when you see someone. I wish all people could train thier dogs that well. My dogs will also raid the fridge before they would get out of the house. I guess they thought they are my teenage boys.
1 person likes this
@jessigirl116 (848)
• United States
16 May 08
And it REALLY ruins it!! My nephew that was bitten is not allowed outside my house unsupervised, not that he will. Due to the trauma of the attack, and the fact that nobody will let him forget, he doesn't WANT to go out by himself. This happened right before he turned 6, now he will be 8 in September. If people, adults or children, are not allowed to heal both body and spirit after such trauma, they will grow up 'stunted'. It's not fair to my nephew. He is also still a bit sketchy about my dogs, and he has known each of them since they were babies and they have never bit him.
Thanks for the leash idea. Maxx turned 2 in January, I hope he's not too old to learn this. Thanks also for responding.
@kaysue4 (951)
• United States
16 May 08
Your welcome. It will take time for your nephew and his parents to get over this and get him past this time in his life.
I hope one day he can trust at least your dogs again. I would also tell him that not ALL dogs are like the one he came into contact with.
Ask him if he remembers what he was like BEFORE he got bitten. Did he like your dog and other dogs? Could you take him to a pet shop that sells puppies and do visits with the cute baby puppies? Reintroduce him through the windows first and let him deside if he wants to pet a certain one.
I hope these ideas are helpful and he will heal in time.
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
16 May 08
that always upsets me to see people letting their dogs
poop on other peoples lawns and just walking off and leaving
it. I do not own a dog now but when I did and I took her
for walk I always picked up after her .I always carried a plastic baggie and a pooper pickerupper. No using other peoples
lawns for me and my dog.
@jessigirl116 (848)
• United States
16 May 08
The neighbor dogs are getting a rude awakening this summer, we are fencing the yard.
Thanks for your input.
