Watch out! Rant ahead!
It amazes me the lack of common sense and self-restraint my fellow dog owners have – particularly the ones in my crumbling suburban neighborhood. Get a clue: buy a leash.
I've been chased by no fewer than eight different dogs on various jogs, walks and bike rides on public streets. Sometimes the owners holler after their wayward pooches, or chase after them (this never works). I guess putting them in their FENCED back yards where they WON'T CHASE ME is too much to ask them. Besides, letting them run loose lets 'em poo in their neighbors' yards rather than their own. And I'm happy to provide some entertainment value in trying to escape. Or rather, I'm unhappy.
I'm a dog person, sometimes the Pied Piper of Stray Dogs, and basically I get along with most of the ones I encounter. However, similar situations have been life, death or severe injury for others because large dogs usually win against humans in scuffles. I don't want to become a statistic, so I am ...
1. Going to wear stainless steel shin guards to thwart Rover's bite.
2. Carry HALT!® dog repellent (an actual product, issued to U.S. letter carriers, that is a pepper spray for dogs). It works well.
3. Make sure I don't become a Kibble 'N Bit with help from my friends Smith & Wesson (OK, so I won't actually carry a gun, as tempting as it is).
4. Duct tape meat to my truck bumper to lure mean dogs into the street. You get the picture.
5. Spay or neuter irresponsible pet owners.
6. Use the front yards of owners as my own personal toilet.
7. Speak softly and carry a gigantic stick.
8. Run like the wind.
9. Dress up as a larger dog and start barking.
10. Never go outside again.
Mean? Vindictive? Yes! If it's a choice between a virtually wild animal and me, I'm going to win. No if's and's or SPCAs about it! Leash your dogs! Let them out in the BACK yard when they are loose. Here's a tough one: don't have a mean, stupid dog. Just don't. They say pets sometimes look a lot like their owners. I think they're right.
Any loose dog can be reported to animal control. Don't hesitate. Sometimes it can be the best thing for the animal and a wake-up call (at a hefty $50 average fine) to the owner to shape up. Many dogs that run loose run the risk of being hit by cars, or abused by people they might chase.
Our new neighbors across the street are so nice and mild mannered and quite honestly I hate EVERYONE in this neighborhood so I'm happy to have nice people. I don't want to call the police on them.
But WHY oh WHY do they let their dog roam the neighborhood. He's a great dog. Very sweet and obedient. But he is also just a dog and not entirely aware of the fact that roads are not for dogs. I swear he's going to be hit one day.
Also I watch him roam away and then I get all stressed out that he'll get lost and I spend 20 minutes debating if I should go tell them their dog is roaming away.
One night I couldn't go to sleep until I knew they had retrieved their wandering dog. It was midnight before they found him.
I don't even like DOGS! Why am I worrying about their dog?
Gah!
It makes me even crazier that they have a HUGE backyard. An enormous back yard which is virtually unheard of in our semi urban area.
GAH!
I am a good dog owner. I keep her on a leash, I don't let her bark, and she never leaves "presents" in anyone's yard. (Of course, I have the world's best dog, ever - Lucy the Golden Retriever.)
I'd go for number 2 or 5, depending on your mood.
Yeah, dogs are awesome. They totally need us. There's nothing in the world like unconditional love!
try having the dogs dig up your flowers...that will get you to making a whole new list!
I saw on the news this evening that today or this week is dog bite awarness week or something like sponsored by the Post Office. They showed a bunch of mail men and women showing off their dog bite scars. It reminded me of your post.
I was bit three times by a Doberman named Brownie as I was delivering Girl Scout cookies (in uniform) to the people who lived on my street.
After being bit, the owner of said dog told my histerical mother that it was my fault for running.
I've hated these irresponisble dog owners ever since (not to mention that it took a dozen years for me to get over my fear of big dogs).
Run em over - use the pepper spray - hell, call the cops. You don't want one of these doggies getting at the cutlet!