General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Dog owners please enter . Am I wrong about what happened today?? [View all]donna123
(182 posts)One time, two large dogs were off leash and ran towards me and my two small dogs who were leashed. I calmly picked up my dogs and told the two large dogs "no" as they were jumping up a bit. I had no idea if they were friendly and just interested in smelling my dogs or aggressive. The owner came running up and apologized and I asked are they friendly because if so, fine. He said they like people but not dogs so much and he left. Not a big deal as no harm.
The only time one of my dogs was bit was when my dog and the dog that bit her were both leashed. The other dog was big and a rescue and had aggression issues. We did not see one another as there was a door separating us so we were both taken by surprise. Thankfully my dog was ok, although she was a bit traumatized for a time.
I guess I am "liberal" on leash laws, my dogs are very good off leash. I have encountered people like the woman you describe though and it's blech. My attitude is if the other person's dog is aggressive and leashed and your dog is off leash and gets hurt by the other leashed dog, you shouldn't complain, you're taking the risk. Of course no one wants that to happen. There is also lease aggression where dogs are less aggressive off leash, although probably people with aggressive dogs don't want to take that risk.