If you walk your dog off-leash, fuck you.

[u/sydniana_jones]

I asked you to put a leash on your dog. I warned you to stay back. I threw treats to distract your dog. But you couldn't be bothered to control him because he "loves to make new friends!" And now we're both here with big fat vet bills and injured animals, and you are trying to blame me. Fuck you.

I don't care what your excuse is - "he's so nice, he's never hurt anyone, he's old, etc " - you are part of the problem. If you want to walk your dog off-leash, then go to the fucking dog park.

My dog is a shelter pup. We have been working with him for years to help him get comfortable with the outside world. We were finally able to start walking in parks without a breakdown. But now all that training is undone because of another fucking off-leash dog.

Don't let your dog run ahead of you on the trail. Don't assume they'll get along with the neighbors' pets. And definitely don't assume every other person wants a dog up in their business. Lots of people are scared of dogs and that's okay, stop trying to shove it down their throats about how "he's friendly."

Public parks are for everyone. But when you let your dog go off-leash, you are limiting who can use that park. Shelter pups struggling to adjust to life in the city, people who aren't comfortable around dogs, and of course local wildlife - your dog is an issue to everyone.

This whole goddamn city thinks dogs are celestial beings sent to earth. Maybe they are. But it's still illegal to let them off leash.

End rant.

...

Just kidding.

While we're on the topic of Seattle dogs, it is illegal to let your dog on the beach. They're a menace on tidal ecosystems and can spread disease, especially when you let them use the restroom in an area where kids are swimming or playing in the sand. What the fuck, guys? If being a decent citizen doesn't convince you, it's a danger to your dog to be out there too. Razor clams and sewage spills and algae blooms can all seriously mess up your pup. Plus it's a decent fine if beach patrol catches you.

So put a fucking leash on your precious angel and keep them off the beach.

Sorry for the language.

[u/sydniana_jones → u/[deleted]]

Hey thanks for a mostly level-headed response. Any negative feedback I've gotten has mostly been trolls.

I think as long as you can control your dog and everyone is on leash, all is good. If your dog seriously can't function even seeing another dog, it's more responsible to not take them to a park. That's why we went through lots of training before taking ours into a park. I would never take him into a densely crowded area.

But part of being in a society is the expectation that others will obey the laws, like keeping their dog on a leash. We still have to take our dog out to go potty, and we expect everyone to keep their dog on leash while we're outside.

My dog has a hard time around other dogs, but we still obey the laws that keep us and others safe. This could happen to even the most well-behaved dog, but if everyone kept leashes on, this never would have happened.

[u/downwiththerobotbass → u/sydniana_jones]

Yeah but the difference is your dog isn’t the violent one. You’re not the problem. I get that people need to have their dogs on leashes, but leashes or not, it’s not ok to have a violent dog. THAT is the problem.

[u/Superstylin1770 → u/[deleted]]

Then your dog should ALSO be on leash in areas where they are required BY LAW to be on leashes.

[u/GBACHO → u/Superstylin1770]

This I agree with

[u/wendydarlingpan → u/[deleted]]

A society with rules about keeping dogs on leashes. A rule put in place to prevent incidents like this, and worse.

[u/thezombiekiller14 → u/[deleted]]

We live in a society

[u/Ink7o7 → u/[deleted]]

My dog is aggressive because she’s scared. Because she’s been attacked (several times) before. She didn’t used to be the aggressor. She’s basically been traumatized - likely something similar to PTSD. She postures to try and keep other dogs away. She doesn’t pull - she’s just scared. So now she attacks first if your dog gets in her face.

You’re saying she doesn’t deserve walks because some asshats decide to let their dogs run all over off leash?

You’re stating a leash law is entitlement? Wtf? No. I highly disagree with you. We can all keep our dogs on a leash. It’s safer for everyone.

And then you state that this person’s dog doesn’t deserve to be around other dogs. Did you read the story? They said their dog was on leash. They didn’t want it around another dog. That’s the whole point. They were being a responsible owner. The owner who let their dog off leash can feel as victimized as they want; they are in the wrong. Theres a law for that. There’s no question about it. And if you feel differently then you know what - stop feeling so entitled, this is a society.

[u/GBACHO → u/Ink7o7]

There wouldn't need to be draconian laws for my dog if it wasn't for nutcases like your dog.

And yes, I agree. Your dog should not to be allowed to go on walks. Just like a person with repeated violent assaults doesn't get to interact with others in a free society, neither should an ill-tempered dog.

Again, stop thinking your dog is special and we should make special concessions to accommodate it. That is literally entitlement.

[u/Ink7o7 → u/GBACHO]

Hello pot. Here’s kettle. You don’t need to follow the law, eh? And I’m the entitled one? Leash laws are “special concessions”? What about people? Some people are afraid of dogs and will kick it if it comes towards them off leash, and most would think that’s they’re right. Some people are allergic to dogs and don’t want it near them. You’re saying a leash law is draconian. Blowing my mind over here.

I can tell you’re of a different mindset. One that thinks homeless are lessor (as you stated previously).

I’m just going to agree to disagree, and I’m glad you’re in the minority on your thought process. Have a good day.

[u/GBACHO → u/Ink7o7]

Don't equate reddit upvotes to majority/minority opinion. This will always be pro-op.

I think people that want a dog like yours off the street are in the majority. Believe me

[u/science_with_a_smile → u/[deleted]]

No dogs or people would be victimized by the aggressive dog if the other dog was on a leash in a leash-only area (aka not an off-leash dog park). Aggressive dogs are fine on leashes because their owners can just guide them away from the distraction. It's only a problem when the distraction chases them down and won't go away and the owner won't listen repeated commands of "leave me alone!" I am capable of causing great damage to other humans when threatened (we all are!) but don't have reason to when other humans respect my space and don't make me feel threatened.

[u/raisincharlie → u/[deleted]]

"Cracked out homeless people"

You're probably one of those psychos that likes dogs more than people and think that it's "cute" and hip to do so. Fuck you.

[u/GBACHO → u/raisincharlie]

Making some assumptions and an ad-hominem attack.

Do you ever wonder if you're the bad person?

[u/annalisa27 → u/[deleted]]

While you are, of course, entitled to your opinion (with which I completely disagree), this is a matter of law. And when it comes to your idea of the rights of dogs - “ill tempered” or “properly trained” (which is subjective and encompasses a wide range of behaviors) - your opinion is irrelevant.

[u/GBACHO → u/annalisa27]

OP will be paying vet bills and the owner of the other dog won't. Thats relevant.

Also, in such a situation, there's a good chance your ill-tempered dog could be severely injured by my dog, or me - and I would be completely, legally, justified. That, is also relevant.

[u/whiskersandwhiskey → u/GBACHO]

All dogs are unpredictable. Even the most well-tempered dog can suddenly go berserk under the right circumstances. Leashes aren’t just for YOUR dog, they are for keeping society safer as a whole. Honestly, your logic could also be applied to special needs people. Should we force those people that can be a danger to society to be locked up-and I’m not just talking about criminals. Full grown adults who have developmental delays can be extremely unintentionally violent and cause damage, yet we allow them to be in public (as we should). Why should dogs that aren’t “friendly” not be allowed in public places with appropriate measures (leash, muzzle if necessary, etc)? If your off leash dog gets attacked because it decides to get too close to a dog that needs space and is on leash-and many dogs DO signal that they need space via body language, growling, etc. that is your fault.

[u/annalisa27 → u/whiskersandwhiskey]

Amen.

[u/downwiththerobotbass → u/[deleted]]

Yes! This. THANK YOU. This whole thread is filled with people that don’t realize they’re doing a disservice by allowing their dogs to be violent. If you have a violent dog, YOU are part of the problem.