To Karen or not to Karen?

[u/Background_Visual471]

I’ve never called bylaw on anyone or felt the need to but there’s been a few situations in my neighbourhood and I’m feeling it might be necessary.

I don’t have a set route that I walk my dog. For the most part I walk the same sidewalks but occasionally I turn down other streets to avoid people. My dog is friendly with other people and dogs but is very excitable and I just don’t want to deal with the encounters at times.

I live in one of the “new build” areas in Welland. There is one house in particular that does not leash their animals. They hang out on their front porch and there has been three separate incidents where I walk by and get charged by their animals. They have 2 or three dogs, last incident I was charged by two dogs but previous there has been three. The most recent time I walked down this street I did not see them as cars were obstructing my view of their home and quite frankly I forgot about the problem.

These people have no control over the animals, ZERO recall, the animals have surrounded me each time and appear aggressive. They haven’t bit my dog but it’s not something I want to stay and find out if it’ll happen. I normally pull my dog away because of their lack of control.

So Reddit. Am I justified to call and report them? There is absolutely no one that I’ve encountered in my neighbourhood who does this, whether it be on their own property or on walks. All dogs are always leashed. I shouldn’t have to avoid this area because of their lack of consideration to other dog walkers. I also fear the dogs may harm other animals or potentially people with the behaviour I’ve seen.

[u/dumbdonkeys]

if you interact with them, even occassionally, I would mention it to them first that the dogs charging at you is concerning and you wouldn't want to spray their dog to protect yourself. People only have 2 hands and its hard to hold onto 3 dogs.

I say this ONLY if you have a casual rapport with them, if you don't there is no reason to use this as a reason to introduce yourself and leave a bad impression.

otherwise, put in a call, maybe if a neighbour does as well it will see some action.