To think people should keep their dogs on a lead

[ElphabaisWicked]

Recently a small dog in my street was savaged by another dog that was off lead in the pathway leading down to the next street and the elderly owner couldn't control him. Little dog was very lucky to survive. A passer by managed to fend it off eith a stick Because it was a dog not a human it attacked there was no action that could be taken

Tonight dh took our dog for a walk and came across another large dog off lead. It's ok he's friendly said the owner as the dog started growling at ours who was trying to get away.

Friends of ours have a fog with excellent recall and they have him off lead whilst walking in the fields but put him back on if anyone else approaches but this is in the street. We feel that we can't allow dd to take the dog for a walk in case another dog attacks (in the first incident it was a young teen walking the dog that was savaged)

For goodness sake if you have a dog keep it under control.

In the scenarios you are describing UANBU, a good owner will only let a well trained dog off lead in an appropriate place and situation.

In areas like you describe, yanbu.

We have a dog, he's a Springer so needs to run (and run and run) so we exercise him in places where it's appropriate for him to be off his lead - fields/dog beach/etc, on the streets/busy areas he stays on his lead

I am used to NYC where dogs are ALWAYS on a lead unless in a specified, dog-friendly area. To me, it seems crazy that a dog can just run around and it's up to their owner to decide and it means I can't enjoy many parks near me properly because I'm always eyeing up the dogs and making sure my very young children are far away from them. Obviously most dogs are fine, but the law should be designed to protect most humans, especially the more vulnerable and not a dog's right to run free wherever its owner decides.

my dog walks to heel and has instant recall, so I dont put her on lead

It depends on the dog and the area, as others have said. I can't abide the 'he's just friendly' comment, as a so-called friendly dog recently grabbed my dog round the neck and snapped at me.

Actually, having said that, it doesn't depend on the dog, it depends on dog-owners being responsible.

yanbu - dogs are rarely on leads in my local park. Owners think it is amusing when they run up to my kids eating their picnic or ice cream and have a lick. Oh and then love saying, he/she won't bite.

No and alot less chance of biting and of more human food consumption if you had your bloody dog on a lead.

Can you tell I am a dog lover.

Really rainydays, on a main road you would have her off lead. Any dog can be spooked and it's not fair on new dogs on the lead who can't get away from the off lead one

Yes, as I said she walks to heel, but I do hold her by the collar if young children are walking passed and I dont take her to childrens playgrounds (and if I do, then I lead her and she lies down by fence.

She actually stays so close to me, she is a pain to excercise, even in a large field.

DS and DH give her more excercise, as she will leave their sides. DS always uses a lead as he isnt confident she will stay with him.

Thinking though, we are quite rural and my idea of a main road and yours are prob different.

Lots of dogs off leads where we walk.

YANBU. I think dogs should only be off leads in wide open areas. We (along with many other children) walk to school through a green/park type area, not very big and there are always dogs off their leads, as well as dog shit everywhere (I don't let my son run on the grass for this reason which is quite a shame).

Don't get me started on the mess. There are dig bins all along the path but it's always covered in muck. We always have a couple of nappy sacks with us. It's just so irresponsible

Always pick up after our dog, unless she is deep in undergrowth where no person can get to.

exh rugby team used to have to have a dog pooh picking up session before they could train or play

Always see loads of people walking their dogs on the school football pitches too.

I always keep mine on lead for their own benefit. We're we live the dogs up ticks and are in real danger of eating rat poison, quite apart from being attacked by other dogs.