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Original poster

Do you think it is cruel not to let the dog of the lead?

83 replies

luckylady · 28/08/2005 17:07

I have an American Akita and as a rule all breeders etc say not to let them of the lead when out. I don't but my Aunty thinks I am being cruel to the dog by not letting her of the lead.

I personally think that as long as she gets plenty of excersise then what is the problem. Due tot he heat out here she is only walked once a day at night for 40mins, just before bed. Once the sun has gone down and it cools we play with her in the garden playfighting and throwing her toys around.

Am I being cruel?

OP posts:
hercules · 28/08/2005 18:18

very sensible post mtp.

Original poster
luckylady · 28/08/2005 18:20

Pinotmum- SWhe showed aggression towards cats which dogs do all the time. ( not all dogs I now but most will go for them given the chance.)

She has never showed aggression to a human.. I know what you are saying but anydog can attack at any time.
I know I asked for opinions. I can take them but, as someone said ther Border collie bit a person, should all border collies then be muzzled or should all dogs in that sense.
I just feel that the breed is taking a battering.

All dogs orginally came from some sort of hunting back grounds, newer breeds obviously didnt as they have been interbred and interbred to get the desired effect, hence causing behaviour problems in some breeds.

OP posts:
hercules · 28/08/2005 18:21

I agree that a lot of dogs will go for cats but I disagree that they will then rip into them.

Mytwopenceworth · 28/08/2005 18:21

well, I know! It happens from time to time y'know Herc!!!

Original poster
luckylady · 28/08/2005 18:24

MTP- Thank you. I know people agreed with meo n the whole being on the lead issue.

I think I am taking alot to heart and I am sorry, suppose I am shocked over what has happened, and very tired after our weekend away.

I do not mean to offend anyone, and I don't mean to be ungratful, about peoples responses.

OP posts:
Mytwopenceworth · 28/08/2005 18:28

Consider yourself patted on the shoulder in a reassuring manner!!

ggglimpopo · 28/08/2005 18:31

Message withdrawn

Original poster
luckylady · 28/08/2005 18:41

Thank you,
I am going to leave the other thread I think as I am getting really anti on that one as they all think I should have the dog put down!!.

OP posts:
rickman · 28/08/2005 18:42

Message withdrawn

expatinscotland · 28/08/2005 18:47

When I was 8 years old, I watched my dad being attacked by a German Shepherd dog which had previously shown no aggression towards humans in his 8 years of life. The dog didn't even bark. Just crossed the street and knocked him down as he walked on a pavement.

I can still remember my dad's terrified shouts at me to get the hell out of there.

Luckily the dog has lost its bottom teeth to disease or he'd have torn chunks of flesh out of my father - a 6ft. tall, 190lbs. man.

As it was my father's right wrist was shattered, he needed 180 stitches on his arms and legs, three surgeries and his right arm was never the same.

If it had been a child that dog had attacked, however, or a small woman, they would have almost certainly have been killed.

There's a reason why it's illegal to have your dogs off lead in public in many cities in the US. My dad was one of those.

I agree w/Twiglett, ownership of all fighting breeds should be banned, as well as breeding them in the first place.

Fio2 · 28/08/2005 18:48

no and kick it occasionally too

Original poster
luckylady · 28/08/2005 18:53

Rickman-She escaped when the guards opened the gate to the run. we never open our back gate, and it is blocked so she cant escape. Our front door is never opened when the hallway door top the front room is open. I know with this breed not to take chances like that and I wouldn't. .

I don't need convincing, of anything. Storm has never gone for a child or adult, but I am not naive enough think that it could never happen asm it could but this counts for ANYDOG NOT JUST AKITAS. (up until this weekend sahe has never even gone for another animal)
Had she not been staying with other people this weekend would never have happened and I wouldnt be regretting having a weekend away and leaving her.

OP posts:
rickman · 28/08/2005 18:58

Message withdrawn

Twiglett · 28/08/2005 18:59

agree with Rickman

and many dogs were bred to be gentle and loving

breed a hunter get a hunter .. and the purpose of a hunter is to kill

expatinscotland · 28/08/2005 19:00

I agree w/rickman as well. I'd frankly be terrified of what this animal may go for next and would pay the entire vet bill.

charleypops · 28/08/2005 19:13

You're right - previously aggressive can be calmed down with the right breeding - german shepherds for instance had a terrible reputation back in the 70's, and now most I come across are lovely and I'm not particularly wary of them. But Japanese Akitas do still have a bad reputation, maybe it's not as warranted as it used to be, I have no idea, but these things take time and a lot of time consuming selective breeding.

You are obviously a very responsible owner and derive a lot of pleasure from Storm. I'm sorry you're upset, but your are posting on a mums site - I'm sure if you posted on a doggy site you'd feel differently and get some entirely different points of view.

I've a lab who I love very much, but he is a handful at times. I'll be getting King Charles's in future!

Original poster
luckylady · 28/08/2005 19:17

That is up to you to believe but you are being very naive.

I know my pet
I have always known the risks where other animals have been involved. what breed of dog can you name me that you know has never attacked another animal or human.

I know people do not get there dogs put down because it has had a fight with another dog, or because it has attacked a cat etc. My dog that i grew up with woukld not tolerate cats at all, and given the chance would have killed one. But he never in 16 years turned on a human child or adult.

OP posts:
Original poster
luckylady · 28/08/2005 19:21

Thanks Charleypops.

I realise that I am posting on a mums site but as mums I expect people to be able to see more than one side and not instantly say "put the dog down" and basically tell me I am putting my children at risk.

I love my dog but if i think what she had done warrented being put down.. like constantly attacking, chasing other animals etc, then I wouldnt hesitate. As I said when on the lead none of the situations have ever arisen, but if they started to then i would return her to the breeder, then go from there.

OP posts:
expatinscotland · 28/08/2005 19:25

You're very lucky you live in a place where those cat owners weren't able to press charges on you, sue you for the entire vet bill, or report the animal to the authorities as dangerous. What you expose your children to is your business, but exposing a dangerous animal to OTHER peoples' children and selves is risking much.

Papillon · 28/08/2005 19:32

I have no idea what this breed look like so had a quick google and saw this one off the lead

chonky · 28/08/2005 19:34

I don't think the discussion is about a particular breed, it's about the actions of an individual dog. You're right, any breed, including mongrels, could attack.

However, they were serious attacks, not a small scrap, and I think that once a dog has demonstrated such behaviour it'd be very hard to trust it completely again.

Original poster
luckylady · 28/08/2005 19:34

They could sue me if they wanted to . I am willing to pay all vet bills. It was there choice to accept my dog for the weekend. I did say when i learnt they had a cat i would cancel as i warned her that I did not know how Storm would react if they came into contact in the house. they said they would keep them seperated. I do feel awful for what has happened. But it is 50/50 blame thing here.

i will never leave my dog with anyone else now, only at a proper kennels, and only then if they know the breed.

OP posts:
Chandra · 28/08/2005 19:36

But LL, how many animals she has to attack before you consider her dangerous?, she has killed a cat and attacked another already, how many else?

PS. As far as I know you are required by law to put your dog down if they attack people twice, perhaps this is a warning sign?

serah · 28/08/2005 21:46

LL.... I have to confess I would never have an Akita - I wouldn't have the faith in myself to be able to control them!

However, it does appear from your posts that you are a responsible owner seeking support for your decision. So, in response to your post, you are far from being cruel - it is true to say of many breeds of dog "if you love them, leash them".

Good for you for having the responsibility to do so. Ignore what your aunty says.

serah · 28/08/2005 21:46

LL.... I have to confess I would never have an Akita - I wouldn't have the faith in myself to be able to control them!

However, it does appear from your posts that you are a responsible owner seeking support for your decision. So, in response to your post, you are far from being cruel - it is true to say of many breeds of dog "if you love them, leash them".

Good for you for having the responsibility to do so. Ignore what your aunty says.

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