Oh No You Didn't! LEASH YOUR DOGS!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Well, I had a day today. It started off pretty good and then I went up to our State Park to walk the dogs. We had just gotten out of our car and had not gone far, when out of the blue, to the left of us I see an unleashed Doberman running full speed, straight at us. The owner was behind him and I started yelling for him to get his dog before we had a dog fight on our hands. 

In my experience, it always seems that the people who have no control over their dogs are the ones who insist on letting them off leash and this guy was no exception. He yelled for his dog, but the dog would not listen, and meanwhile was circling my dogs. My dogs were surprisingly good. Vern stood pretty still, but Fudge was on edge and I just wanted the guy to get his dog before we had a problem. 

This makes me so mad and I yelled at the guy that his dog was supposed to be on a leash and he said, "I know lady, so shut your mouth." OK, I don't do well with being told to shut up and without thinking I reacted and told him that he could shut the _______ (fill in the blank) up and went on to add that he was in the wrong, not me, and all I was doing was trying to walk my dogs and my dogs were leashed.  I also added that my dogs and I should not be put at risk, because he didn't feel like following the rules. 

Meanwhile, his wife or who knows, stood back and kept saying, "you are right, you are right," but did nothing to prevent her small dog, a Westie, from approaching my dogs. Of course, this dog was unleashed, too. At no time did this guy apologize and he could not round up his dog. He did continue to tell me to shut up when I pointed out that someone who couldn't control his dog should not be letting them off leash :) 

I don't even know how long all of this took place, because my adrenaline was pumping and I was beyond livid. I am so tired of people not leashing their dogs and risking the safety of me and my dogs. Fudge and Vern are combined about 160 pounds of dog and I don't want to see them injured or me injured trying to stop a dog fight. I don't care how nice your dog is...I don't care if it likes other dogs...keep it away from my leashed dogs. Lots of dogs react poorly when on a leash and approached by another dog and you are also risking the safety of your own dog. 

This jerk finally got his dogs and left, but stopped to correct the dog like it was the dog's fault. I could hear him making comments about me and then when I had gone on, he yelled, "don't forget to pick up your dog's ________ (rhymes with bit)," and I yelled back, "don't worry, I always do, but I am sure you don't since you don't even leash your dogs." 

Now, I am not going to apologize for my language, because for once, I said everything I wanted to say instead of kicking myself later for not saying enough. My job is to protect my dogs when I am out on a walk. The only thing I did wrong was not take my cell phone and call the police. I had left it in the car, which I will not do again. I did report him to the ranger, but had no license plate, so not much could be done. I did ask the ranger to deputize me, so I could handle these situations by myself, but he declined my offer and just laughed. 

Of course, my family said I was going to get shot someday and I told John that I would have made sure my last words were, "LEASH YOUR DOGS!!" 

The point of this discussion is the reason there are leash laws in place is to protect all of us and there should be no exceptions. Today could have ended with my dogs seriously hurt or me hurt trying to protect my dogs all because someone thought the laws didn't apply to him. What if I had a child with me? What if a person was startled by this dog and fell? What if the dog attacked us? There are so many "what ifs" that it could keep me up all night. These kinds of people always ruin it for the rest of us and I worry someday that dogs won't be allowed in many of these parks because of these idiots. I am done messing around. I plan on calling the police next time.

P.S. My mom said she probably shouldn't tell me this, but she was glad I told the guy what I did :)

P.S.S. I was wearing my Intercourse, PA sweatshirt when all this happened. LOL

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

You just never know, but I prefer to not be approached at all with my dogs. Fudge does not like all dogs and when she is on a leash, it is worse. Good thing Riley let you know with a bark and a growl.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Jen, I guess I have seen it too many times and by the same people to believe that it is the first time off leash, or the dog usually listens, or this has never happened before. These are all things I have heard time and time again and that guy telling me to shut up was the last straw. My husband rides a bike and he got bit by a Lab one day and the owner told him the dog never bit him. What?? No apology, nothing. When my daughter was very young, she got attacked by a Rottweiler at a playground. All she did was put her arms up to get on the swing. Again, the owners said their dog had never done this before, but an unleashed Rottweiler at a playground is just plain careless. Hayley still has the scars on her arm. I just feel like my first responsibility is to my family, me, and my own dogs and I am done trying to be nice to make a point. I appreciate your point, but I will probably never shine in these circumstances :) 

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

Good for you Laurie!  

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Thanks, Cheryl.

[Rhoda and Asta]

Good for you.  But always remember to take your cell phone with you.  Also make sure the GPS is turned on and if you are out alone, there are apps that allow you to share your location with someone you trust.  Stay safe.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Thanks, Rhoda. That's a great idea about the GPS.

[Jennifer and Jack]

It's kind of like we don't need gun laws for the ppl who follow the laws....criminals ruin it for everyone ..just like poop head dog owners ruin it and put us at risk....I have to walk my development with a small tazor....we are Constantly apprOached by dogs ..huge dogs off leash roaming free... every where I walk I have to have a plan of what to do with Jack if a fight is going to occur....I have put him Innthe baack of someone's pick up truck once, once on top of a garbage can... I know you can't scoop yours up and help remove them

Good for you for saying exactky what you want to, only with animals am I able to be really vocal and stand up for what is right...

[Jennifer and Jack]

It's kind of like we don't need gun laws for the ppl who follow the laws....criminals ruin it for everyone ..just like poop head dog owners ruin it and put us at risk....I have to walk my development with a small tazor....we are Constantly apprOached by dogs ..huge dogs off leash roaming free... every where I walk I have to have a plan of what to do with Jack if a fight is going to occur....I have put him Innthe baack of someone's pick up truck once, once on top of a garbage can... I know you can't scoop yours up and help remove them

Good for you for saying exactky what you want to, only with animals am I able to be really vocal and stand up for what is right...

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Thanks, Jennifer. I would have tazed the guy...LOL...so that is why I can't carry one :) Keep Little Jack safe.

[Camilla and Darwin]

You are braver than I - but I completely agree with you about people who don't leash their dogs. I feel the same way about people who bring intact, agressive dogs to off leash dog areas. There is a really great place in my city that is an off leash dog area (not really a park, more spread out) - and it's always been so great. However there are times when some idiot brings an intact aggressive dog which causes problems with all of the friendly dogs. Then of course we have to leave. Grr.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Thanks, Camilla. You have seen me drive...you know how I get :)