Cat walking off lead

[Usedphone]

I've got two dogs, and a cat. So our dogs are used to cats, but one is an airedale terrier, that does like to chase squirrels but really loves the cat (they were raised together from babies).

So while I was walking my dogs in the field, we encountered a family walking their cat, off lead and without any way to safely contain it.

My dog got excited and went after it like she would have with a squirrel (it's a field after all with plenty of dog walkers and squirrels).

The family got annoyed with me as the cat was very distressed (poor kitty!)

It was a very bizarre encounter but I think they should.at least have had a plan B beyond cuddles to contain their kitty cat.

Why won’t you answer the question about putting your dog on a lead as soon as you saw the cat? You know your dog is a chaser so you need to
be prepared.

Cats have a right to roam, dogs must be controlled at all times so it could be argued the cat had more of a right

YABU

Your dog chased their cat.

It doesn’t matter if it was their cat, dog or child.
Or whether your dog has never done it before.

The facts are that you were unable to control your dog, which was your responsibility, so it was your fault.

You also knew that your dog chases small furry animals and so I’d argue that it’s even more your fault.

I’m not judging as my dog chased cows and she had never chased anything before in her life.
But it was still my fault because she is my responsibility.

The fact that the cat wasn’t on a lead is irrelevant because your dog would not have not chased it just because it wasn’t on a lead.

Your dog needs to be under control in a public place. That's not up for debate, it's the law. That includes Nature Reserves, with or without cats in them.

If your dog is moving toward at a cat/squirrel/human/horse/dog/another dog's squeaky ball and it doesn't stop dead and return to you on command, it's not under control and it needs to be on a lead.

why hasn't your dog got a proper recall?

I've seen a 'cat going for a walk' because our neighbour used to do that with her cat in a field near our houses. Dogs were supposed to be on a lead because it was sheep country, but of course they often weren't (don't get me started on that). For that reason I discouraged our cats from accompanying me when I went for a walk.

So how do you control your dog normally whilst it’s off the lead? What about other wildlife? Do you consider hares, rabbits, hedgehogs, unaccompanied cats, or ground nesting birds fair game? If so shame on you.

Exactly. I would be surprised if the nature reserve that OP goes to actually allows off lead dogs. Most have signs saying dogs should be kept on a short lead. Our local nature reserve is constantly having to appeal to idiot dog owners to stop them from letting their dogs run rampage. The damage caused to ground nesting birds and other wildlife is terrible. Not sure why OP thinks it is okay for her dog to chase wildlife, it really isn't okay.

One of my old cats, and one of my current cats enjoys following us for walks. The old one would wait outside if we went to the corner shop. Current one used to live in a countryside B&B and would often follow the guests on walks.

Put your dog on a lead.

Exactly.

OP said it chases small animals and so it should have been on a leads in a place where there are definitely going to be are small animals.

The nature reserve is literally there to protect nature and it’s a shame that people walk their predator dog off the lead, knowing it’s going to chase animals and cause distress to them.

Your dog should not be scaring or chasing any animals including squirrels why do you think that’s ok?

My goodness I didn’t realise this was a nature reserve. Presumably neither the cat or dog should have been off the lead.
I really cannot comprehend the attitude of some dog owners.

THIS!!!!!!

How does putting the cat in a carrier or on a lead stop dogs from coming at him? Quite interested. My cat follows me for walks. If a dog chases him, he runs away and hides (not sure why, he's bigger than most of those dogs) rather than being scared out of his wits and unable to escape.

Our cat comes for walks with us. Whenever he hears us putting shoes and coat on he's at the front door waiting. Also comes if you call " do you want to go for a walk".

We tend to use common sense regarding any threat from dogs. Usually if there are dogs off lead there are escape routes for the cat where the dog can't/ shouldn't follow (through gaps in fences into gardens/ up trees etc). If there aren't then we wouldn't walk him there. However, they do sometimes follow you and there isn't much you can do about it (other than go home, feed cat, lock it in and set off again).
Not sure why dogs should get priority to be off lead though rather than the cats.

Our Siamese used to go for walks when I was a child. Three of them. Two would go on leads happily, the other wouldn't. Had masses of them over the years but only around half liked walks.

We never encountered dogs off lead, but I would not have fancied their chances up against those three. If we saw a dog they'd generally get on someone's shoulders till they were out of sight.

Used to come to the beach as well, but only one of them actively liked it, the other two were never quite sure.

And recall with a cat.... lol.

If you aren't able to train your dog not to chase other people's pets or wildlife, you need to keep it on a lead. People are entitled to go out with or without their pets without worrying about your poorly trained dog.

😂

Just popping on here to discuss Siamese. But I see someone has beaten me to it !! My first rescue Siamese would accompany or rather escort the postman around our cul-de-sac. As far as I'm aware, the postman never fed the cat or gave him treats, but would give him affection.

Firstly, how can you tell they were “walking their cat” rather than just walking along with their cat next to them?
Also, how would having the cat on a lead change the fact that your dog tried to chase it?

That's precisely the argument that would be used if the cat came to harm, and there was a small claims court claim for vet bills.

A la Scooby Doo?

The title should say "my dog walking off lead" surely. The cat didn't have a lead in the first place. Your dog did.

So two families are walking their pets off lead.
One of the pets starts after the other, the other hide in it's walker's arms.

It is absolutely clear to me who of those two walkers is being unreasonable.

You obviously don’t mean ‘poor kitty’ but that aside, regardless, many cats are bigger than small dog breeds… can’t you control your dog? If not… why is it off the lead? Have you not trained it? Again, if not, why not? And if you’re not able why is it off lead?