Image by urbanwild via FlickrThere is a letter to the editor in the Columbian this morning that deserves some clarification and further discussion. The letter is entitled, “Obey law and use a leash” and concerns leashing your dog:
While walking along the busy river walk by Interstate 5 Bridge, I saw three dogs being walked by their owners, and none were on leashes. All were American bull terriers, as their owners like to call them, but most people call them pit bulls. In the July 16 newspaper, there were two stories about pit bull attacks from dogs allowed by their owners to run free in violation of leash laws. My question is: Why do pit bull owners need to show that their “pet” is so well behaved that it doesn’t need to be on a leash as the law requires? Is it to prove to others how great a “pet” a pit bull makes? I believe it is irresponsible to allow any animal to run free whether it is a pit bull or a Chihuahua. Animal owners who allow their pet to run free are putting their dogs and the people around them in jeopardy.
While it is correct that there is NEVER a reason to not leash your dog when it is unfenced and outdoors, the reason for doing so given in this editorial is just one of several:
- Your dog may see a rabbit (squirrel, cat, deer, llama, etc) and take off never to be seen again.
- Your dog may encounter an irresponsible person who has a dog that they have not put on a leash who will pick a fight with your dog and you will have no way to get your dog away from the other dog.
- My dog is aggressive towards other dogs and even though I keep him leashed at all times, if your dog is unleashed and comes up to my dog, my dog may harm your dog.
Very few dogs will come 100% of the time especially if distracted by other people, other animals, cars, etc.
My dog is more than capable of harming someone’s unleashed dog who comes upon me and my dog on leash walking down the street. All it takes is my dog not liking the other dog. A dog will feel more vulnerable on a leash and therefore will defend himself/herself much more aggressively when an unleashed dog approaches.
I cannot tell you how many times my dog has had altercations with someone’s lovely dog because the person caring for that dog thinks just because “their” dog won’t harm anyone or another animal, that means the dog is OK to not be on a leash.
Even though I will feel terrible if my dog injures your unleashed dog, I won’t feel terrible for you, just angry at you for how little concern you exhibit for another sentient being.
Think about it the next time you decide to put your dog at risk by not buckling him/her up to yourself.
PS: Pit bulls are less likely than many other breeds to attack a human even though the news media loves to brainwash you into thinking otherwise. It makes for good news to scare people unjustifiably.
PPS: Regarding putting your dog(s) loose in the bed of your pickup truck while traveling which I see quite frequently on the roads… Do I REALLY need to say how stupid that is?
Another lte in today’s Columbian I agree with wholeheartedly:
I grew up in a neighborhood of loose dogs, and it has only been since adopting a retired greyhound that I’ve fully understood how dangerous that is.
Greyhounds are sight hounds: if we ever let Boomer off-leash he’d follow the first fast thing he saw and wouldn’t even think about wondering where he – or we – are until he was half a mile or more away. And then something new would catch his eye and he’d be off again, and even further from home. The one time Boomer has gotten loose (someone had opened our gate during the night) we were lucky that a neighbor recognized him and grabbed him before he could run. But just the thought of it scares the hell out of us.
Other breeds may not be as fast, but cars, buses and bikes certainly are.
Leashing your dog should be as much second nature as wearing your seatbelt. You’re not imprisoning your pets – you’re protecting them.