HALT! animal repellent

[Dogmama]

<rant on>

Some people are terrified of dogs. They have a right to use the streets without harrassment. It isn't up to the populace to train other people's dogs with pepper spray.

Dogs should be confined or leashed, period. I don't care how good the recall is, they're still DOGS. A speeding motorist could take out the family pet in an instant.

I've trained dogs to advanced obedience degrees. Not only do they come immediately when called, but I can have them drop (lay down) in the middle of a recall. I would still never allow them to roam freely, much less chase anybody. It isn't fair to the dog or the citizen.

<rant off>

[Tuckervill]

The other thing I think about when I see a dog off leash is what about a stray dog that comes to attack your dog?

I saw a couple jogging today with two identical dogs (labs), one younger, one older. The younger dog was on leash, but the older one was not. She was leading, and even worse, she had no COLLAR on. No tags. Very busy street. They really trust their dog, I can tell, but what if their dog gets attacked by another dog and she runs off in fear or in chase? There's not even a way to identify her with no tags!

I had two stray dogs (they escaped their yards, I knew where they lived) meet in my yard and tear each other to pieces one time. They both ran off before AC could get there. That's just to say that there are aggressive dogs who get out and have no compunction about attacking another dog.

Karen

[Dogmama]

You are spot on, Tuckerville.

Dogs that are leashed who encounter unleashed dogs are often threatened. This can culminate into a big dog fight, whereas two leashed (or two unleashed dogs, as in a dog park) would be fine. They instinctively know that one dog has a handicap.

Sorry for the thread hijack, everybody. I am pretty adament about this.

[RolliePollie]

Some people are terrified of dogs. They have a right to use the streets without harrassment.

Thank you, Dogmama, for saying exactly what I feel! I am one of those terrified people!!! If I dog chases me on my bike, I cannot tell if it's trying to be friendly and run with me, or if it wants to eat me up. My brain automatically assumes the latter. But this fear is not going to keep me off the road. I carry my pepper spray just in case, but I don't know if I'd ever have the presence of mind to actually use it. Terror kind of messes with your thought processes. This loose dog thing just gives me something else to complain about, and anyone who knows me can attest to the fact that I'm a very skilled complainer

By the way, my two cats bite. They stay inside so they've never chased anyone down on the street, but they've been known to bite guests. So why am I not scared to death of cats?