Off leash dog....again

[Teddysmom76]

This winter I was leaving my boyfriend's house, and as I stepped onto his street, which is right in Boston, but a little quiet, two dogs (off leash) ran up. At first I wasn't nervous, I have never had a bad experience with another dog, but they quickly started to attack Teddy, and I mean attack, going straight for his neck. I screamed at them, kicked the one that had him so hard, and snatched him up. Suddenly there was a woman there and she said: is he all right? I looked and she had leashes in her hand! I said I wasn't sure, but that i was taking him to the vet immediately. She insisted that I "let her look at him" and tried to grab him from me, and I told her to step away, and that she needed to put her dogs on a leash. She said: Yeah, I was going to, that's why they are in my hands you _ _ _ _ insert most profane work in the english language here. So Teddy was okay, but it was one of the most scary experience I have ever had.

Today I was leaving the house again, with Lola in my arms, and Teddy walking and her dog came flying up to me again. Surprise surprise! I swiftly bent down to pick up Teddy and you won't believe this.....she screamed at me to "pick my dog up". I called animal control today to report her, and wrote her husband an email informing him of the situation. I'm so upset, is it safe to walk anywhere?

[nanahas3]

I definately would take pictures whenever you see them off leash it sounds like a horrible accident waiting to happen. Glad you are all ok.

[chestermama]

thats crazy, Im gald you and teddy are okay, that would piss me off

[kjc]

So glad no one got physically hurt... I would make her pay the vet bill.

[Verbena]

Wow she calls you a bad word and it is her fault. Crazy people. Glad Teddy is ok. I would give her the bill for the vet. Maybe this will teach them to leash their dog or they will be responsible for the consequences

[jeane]

I would take pictures when they are off leash and definitely have her pay the vet bill// that is just crazy// you have the right to take your dogs for a walk

[pink66]

Do you know what kind of dogs they are? Not that it matters, teeth are teeth.
I just don't understand people anymore. Often things like this happen and its almost expected that someone wants to blame the victim!! I'm sorry you had such a scary experience, but thankfully you were quick enough (both times) to save your babies. Hopefully something will be done so this never happens again!

[ColesMommy01]

What is wrong with people?!?! If the woman knows her animals act like that why does she continuously let them run out off leash??? I blame the owner for not being responsible. I'm happy you called AC and that Teddy is okay. I hope she gets slapped with a hefty fine at least

[Magnus]

I'm guilty of off leashing Zoey. She didn't go up to anyone (or dog) close enough to be "threatening" so I thought it'd be ok. She recently nipped at a nice old dog. I was horrified and felt so bad. After that incident, she's either in the backpack, leashed, or I'm carrying her. I think someone complained to the HOA since I received a email "reminder to all residents" that it's the law to leash your dogs.

I'm not sure why that lady was being like that when she was the one being irresponsible. I would think if something like that happened, she'd be more cautious...

I'm glad Teddy didn't get hurt and I'm sorry you're having to deal with something like that. I hope your neighbor will be reasonable and can work things out.

[Teresiana]

That lady is nuts. As if it's YOUR responsibility to pick up your dog It really sucks when you're walking on eggshells in your own neighborhood. I'm so sorry that happened to you guys. Hopefully your call & email will do some good. Poor little Teddy

[Maximo]

I am glad Teddy, Lola, and you are okay. This topic is at the top of my list of frustrations. To answer your question: no, it is not really safe to walk with your dogs anywhere anymore. It is like swimming in the ocean, waiting for Jaws to appear.

I am also sorry that the two people in your two encounters said such things to you. Hoping your email to the husband has some impact. Glad you reported to Animal Control too.

We no longer walk in our neighborhood. I drew the line at the loose 200 pound Cane Corso. We drive 6 miles every night to go to an office park with restaurants and hotels to walk.

There is another member here whose little dog was mauled and the judge in the court case told her that is the risk you take having a small dog.

[LouisNicole]

My neighbor has a giant collie who is never leashed. When I brought Ralphie home the other day I was out showing my other neighbor the new pup when the collie was let out. She repeatedly jumped on me and tried to get him from my arms! My neighbor never even walked his lazy self over to intervene or retrieve her. Idiot.

[Holly_Wood]

Having dogs off leash in public area's is a pet peeve of mine too .. I'm all for letting your pooch run free but in appropriate environments ... off leash dog parks or out in the woods somewhere ....

I had an experience similar but not as bad yesterday .. I live in an apartment complex with 3 buildings all 4 levels .. I'm on the 3rd .... so to take the dogs out you either use the stairs or the elevator ... seeing as I'm still mending from a heart attack I use the elevator for now ...

anyway standing at the 3rd floor waiting for the elevator, it opens and a dog comes flying out full flight straight at Holly. I didn't even have time to think and found that Holly was in my arms in less than a second and the dog flew past me it was lunging that hard at her. I'd pulled up into my arms with the leash, her harness is one that her legs go through and is almost like a jacket so she came straight up into my arms when I whipped her up with the leash .. basically her 4th time on a leash, and it scared the crap out of her ... she has been so so confident with the walking experience ... now she's constantly looking around the place or truing to get up on my leg ... the lady was pretty much clueless ... she had another one on a leash and basically just wanted to pat Holly because she's "cute" no sorry about that .. I mentioned to her that its lucky Holly has a harness on other wise I wouldn't have been able to get her out of the way so quickly .... she just says "yeah your lucky you got her out of the way" ...

I missed the elevator ... not that its a big deal .. (again she has no clue that the elevator doors have closed and its gone on its merry way ... these elevators take for every to there too) ... in about 2 mins down the hallway one her dogs starts barking incessantly and really fast and loud .. I hear her reprimand the dog once in a very wimpy way and the dog continues to fill the hallways of the apartment block with uncalled for noise .... this sets Holly into a panic and tried to crawl up the back of my head ... the elevator came and the barking didn't stop and could hear it echoing in the elevator shaft .. this made Holly even more freaked out .... needless to say that walk turning into a disaster .. as I mentioned she could not concentrate on walking looking around, jumping on my leg, whimpering (which is not like her) ... scooped her up and took her back home ... she was fine once inside and we will see how todays walk goes ..

hopefully it hasn't ruined all the good work Holly and I have been doing .... now I have to be on my guard for this nincompoop being in the elevator every time we go for a walk .... I wish I had said more to her and asked why her dog wasn't on a leash but was in shock and was way to nice to her .. if I see her again I'll find out what apartment she lives in and send an email to our apartment office as it is a rule that all dogs are on leashes ... but really want to let her know that her irresponsibility set my puppies progress back .. who known how much yet ....

Unfortunately people who have there dogs off leash seam to be a different breed than most dog owners and think their dog is perfect and above the rules .... sadly my wife was like that and would never put her Lab on a leash .... fortunately the Lab is mild mannered but even so if it runs up to some one and they don't like dogs or are afraid of them .. or a little dog is afraid of big dogs it makes for a bad experience .... she had the mind set that she has a right to have "her" experience be the way she wants it, having her dog be free .... many many times people have told her to leash her dog and she's been the one getting bent out of shape ... in 90% of cases I've managed to get through to her ... but if she goes to a beach park or something similar she just lets the dog out of the car and lets her run free ... it ticks me off to no end and basically I wont go on any outings when I know she's going to do that as I cant deal with it as it makes me so mad :-P

Anyway .. I've blabbed way way way to much and this all probably comes across as rambling dribble :-P

I'm glad the original posters pup is ok and hope the person in the neighborhood grows a brain and connects the leashes rather than just holding them in a token gesture to make people believe she "was" going to put the leashes on ....

[Teresiana]

Originally Posted by Maximo

I am glad Teddy, Lola, and you are okay. This topic is at the top of my list of frustrations. To answer your question: no, it is not really safe to walk with your dogs anywhere anymore. It is like swimming in the ocean, waiting for Jaws to appear.

I am also sorry that the two people in your two encounters said such things to you. Hoping your email to the husband has some impact. Glad you reported to Animal Control too.

We no longer walk in our neighborhood. I drew the line at the loose 200 pound Cane Corso. We drive 6 miles every night to go to an office park with restaurants and hotels to walk.

There is another member here whose little dog was mauled and the judge in the court case told her that is the risk you take having a small dog.

WHAT??! That's crazy! Can you appeal something like that? I suppose if a car jumps the curb & kills my baby in his stroller, then I that's the risk I take for having a child. Ridiculous. That's almost "racist"...sorry, but I can't think of a better word right now because I'm shaking from anger. Some justice system we have in this country.

[yorkiefan_]

Scary to hear, and glad Teddy is alright.

I hope Holly's mental anguish from that attack subsides.