I have a little bit different story , yet every bit as concerning as unleashed dogs.

 

Years ago we owned a German Shepard. Great dog with people , however she would let you know if you entered her domain. We also had an electrical fence. One day I was in the yard with the dog. We live on a busy street , so people are walking by the house all the time. The dog would just lay around the yard and really didn't mind passers by. However, one day as the dog was in the yard and I had walked over to our garage I heard barking and screaming. I ran to where the dog was and saw a young boy running up the street with newspapers flying. I ran after him and when I got to him noticed that he had a puncture wound on his hand. What had happened was that the young man , all of 10 years old , was delivering flyers when he cut thru the yard inside the dogs fence and startled the dog which inturn startled the young man. When the dog came towards him barking , young man swung at the dog with the flyers and caught a tooth . We could tell this because there was not a distinct bite mark , only a single puncture. It certainly scared the young man. Why do we let our young children go door to door delivering papers or selling fundraiser items when there is a strong risk of a dog attack? We arm our mailman with mace for a reason.

 

The young man was fine and his parents very understanding . They actually owned large dogs. I just hope parents think twice before sending their children out door to door about the possible dangers of entering a dog owners yard.

I agree dogs should be kept under control at all time. If walking that should be a leash or voice control only if clearly under control. If in the yard, the dog should stay in the yard. If the dog goes into the street or sidewalk to bark, then that is unacceptable. I don't like my dogs barking at people in the street at all, but I have one that charges out barking, but because of the inground fence never gets closer than 30ft to the road (no sidewalks). She also wouldn't bite anything. If she got peppered sprayed in our yard I would not be happy.

Well I have a dog and live in Louisville. But don't worry about my pup, he's a Basset hound.

I am a dog owner, and I walk my dog a lot. :lol: When in neighborhoods, he's on a leash. I do admit that I take him over to Cherokee Park though, at dawn on weekend mornings, and let him run the trails with me, off the leash. We rarely encounter anyone else, but as soon as I do hear someone coming, either walking or on a bike, I put the leash back on him. He's voice trained, and as soon as I say stop his butt goes to the ground. The thing about my dog is that he behaves MUCH better off the leash than on. He obeys right away off the leash. When he's on the leash, for some reason he's super aggressive. If you have a dog and encounter us walking, and Lucky is on a leash, please don't ask if our dogs can meet. Lucky does not like other dogs when he's on the leash. He's much better off the leash, but still not great. He has an absolutely insurmountable Napolean complex. :lol:

Well I found out tonight my pepper spray works. The dog that came at me about a month ago did it again and this time he got sprayed. Just as I expected his male owner was less then pleased and even told me that had I stopped and not backed up the dog would have left me alone. I told the owner that if it happened again I would be calling animal control. I have to admit seeing the dog (a very pretty red Irish Setter) rubbing it's snout and whining after I sprayed it upset me a bit (I really do have a heart). I guess I'll be figuring out a different walking route from now on.

I'm a dog owner, have had a dog since I've lived in my house. I have never allowed my dog to roam around unleashed unless it's in the backyard where I know no one will be bothered by her. People that don't obey leash laws or take others personal safely into consideration have zero business owning a dog. I say you should just spray the next dog that charges you, I know I would.

Those Basset Hounds can be vicuous !!

Those Basset Hounds can be vicuous !!

If you've ever been bit by one, you know how true that is! Big dog bite! Ouch!!!!

Well I found out tonight my pepper spray works. The dog that came at me about a month ago did it again and this time he got sprayed. Just as I expected his male owner was less then pleased and even told me that had I stopped and not backed up the dog would have left me alone. I told the owner that if it happened again I would be calling animal control. I have to admit seeing the dog (a very pretty red Irish Setter) rubbing it's snout and whining after I sprayed it upset me a bit (I really do have a heart). I guess I'll be figuring out a different walking route from now on.

 

It's good to hear you have a heart, and maybe the dog and owner learned something. Maybe you won't have to change your route.

Sounds like Louisville really has a problem with dogs - Number 5 in the country! Wow.

 

 

http://lifeinc.today.com/_news/2011/07/26/7170174-dogs-are-not-a-postmans-best-friend

 

The top cities, and the number of attacks in each, are listed below.

 

1. Houston, Texas: 62 attacks

 

2. San Diego: 45 attacks

 

2 (tie). Columbus, Ohio: 45 attacks

 

4. Los Angeles: 44 attacks

 

5. Louisville, Ky.: 40 attacks

I have European Rottweiler and he will chase anything that runs from a cat or person to a car. He is kept in my backyard fenced in but when someone goes running by he will pursue the person to the end of the fence.

Sounds like Louisville really has a problem with dogs - Number 5 in the country! Wow.

 

 

http://lifeinc.today.com/_news/2011/07/26/7170174-dogs-are-not-a-postmans-best-friend

 

The top cities, and the number of attacks in each, are listed below.

 

1. Houston, Texas: 62 attacks

 

2. San Diego: 45 attacks

 

2 (tie). Columbus, Ohio: 45 attacks

 

4. Los Angeles: 44 attacks

 

5. Louisville, Ky.: 40 attacks

I wonder why these cities rank where they do?

I've been lucky, so far. I pass or meet up with dog walkers occasionally on my walks, but the dogs have either not been aggressive or the owners pull them out of harm's way.

I wonder why these cities rank where they do?

 

Maybe I should have copied more of the article that was linked. The article talks about the mailmen who have been attacked by dogs.

 

'....Last year 5,669 postal employees were attacked in more than 1,400 cities, with Houston by far the leader, the release says.......'

 

The other number from the article that jumped out was the amount of money that these attacks costed, over 1 million dollars in medical expenses.

I will say that I am guilty of my dog approaching those that walk past our house. That being said, he is 100% very, very nice...and doesn't even bark at the strangers, he's super affectionate and just wants them to pet him. We often times let him out into the woods behind our house to play. But, there have been times that the kids have left him out unsupervised. My wife and I have resolved ourselves to the fact that if we get yelled at by a neighbor, because of our unleashed dog, then we are ok with it.

 

All Tell, knowing you the way I do, I commend your reserve in handling this situation.

About eight or nine years ago, a neighbor, who had 4 or five dogs of different breeds, had a Chow get out and knock a guy off his bike as he rode by, then it mauled him. The rider suffered bite wounds and a broken elbow. He sued and won. I don't know what the settlement was, but the neighbor got rid of his dogs. He has never owned any since.