What would you do if you ran into a dog and the owner d...

[luckyruns]

I run outside right now. I run on a trail that is surrounding the schools in my area. Its neatly groomed with some hills etc. Nice place to run away from traffic.

My question I'm throwing out here is:

You come across a dog owner who is walking their dog. Sometimes the dogs are leashed and sometimes not. RULES are they have to be leashed.

Some owners are kind enough to pull their dogs away from the trail as I pass or for that matter anyone who runs/walks pass. But there are those select few who just keep walking and let their dogs approach the runner or walkers, whether they are leashed or not. Today I finally stopped in front of the owner, whose dog was barking violently at me. I stood there staring at her and she said "OH he don't bother no one" Funny how I didn't get that feeling. I continued on with my run huffing and puffing---- I was so tempted to let the dog bite me. But Im thinking he would have eaten me for sure. It was a doberman. Don't get me wrong now-- I have a dog and love dogs. I just think its very rude to do what some of them do.Esp. on a trail that is clearly marked to leash all animals.

What do you do when you encounter someone like that?

 

[fitxme]

I turn around and go the other way...I don't trust that they won't try to bite me. Many runners have had this happen and I don't want to be one of them.


~Marietta
FITXME
http://www.picturetrail.com/fitxme

 

[toastythemosty]

I still have scars on my body from where I have been bitten from dogs from owners that say their dogs don't bite...yeah, right! I have been bitten on the butt, the leg and hand.
That would make me mad too if the owner just let their dog go wild in public like that. I don't know what I would say though as some people mean well, but they can't just assume things about their dog. I would run the other way too.

Charlotte~~

 

[smoogy]

These people are oblivious to the potential havoc they can "unleash". Sorry! If a dog bites, there could be severe penalties. Think lawsuit. Not to mention, the dog could be put to sleep.

Actually, my Chihuahua is a mean little sucker, or at least looks like the Devil Dog himself when he barks at a stranger, but he has no teeth & no biting strength. The thing is, other people don't know that & it is not fair to ruin their walk or run by letting Chico approach them and scare the crap out of them. I would stop & tell them exactly what you just said. Also, even a good dog can bite anyone unexpectedly.

Marla

 

[Chloe50621]

RE: What would you do if you ran into a dog and the own...

"my Chihuahua is a mean little sucker, or at least looks like the Devil Dog himself when he barks at a stranger, but he has no teeth & no biting strength." HAHA That is so funny!

 

[Fit_mommy]

RE: What would you do if you ran into a dog and the own...

I wish I was the type to say something but I'm not so
I just deal.x(

I come across unleased dogs all of the time in my neighborhood. Granted, lots of them are VERY well behaved and don't bother with me (or my dog) but it's still THE LAW that they be leashed so it bugs me when they aren't. Plus, it naturally makes me nervous when I see an unleashed dog because you just don't know what could happen and that is exactly why it's the law to leash them in the first place!

Some people just don't get it, I guess, huh?

The summer we moved in a chocolate lab kept getting lose (out of it's yard I suppose) and would run the neighborhood and "terrorize" people. It was nasty. It never bit anyone, thank goodness, but it was quick to approach you and it barked like it wanted to rip your leg off! My aunt and my dh both came in contact with it and he scared the crap out of both of them! It got to the point where I was afraid to go out alone at night for fear of coming in contact with him. I finally called the cops to report it twice. I guess something was eventually done about it because he hasn't been around since and I this is my 3rd summer in the house.

I love animals too but there is a definate line to be drawn! They can't be let to run as they please. I don't like "outdoor" cats either. All they do is rip apart your garbage and leave paw prints all over your car! x(

 

[dhcsim]

They need to be leashed. No if , ands or "butts". Sorry Charlotte, I feel for you. I have been bitten by a poodle, but it did not leave any marks. Needless to say, I was a teen and her dog walked away hurtin'. When I walk Max, I don't let him approach any of the kids. I bought the retractable leash and love it. If you are walking on a trail or other "narrow" path you need to respect everyone else.

 

[JMFRANE]

I am very afraid of other dogs. I have a dog but keep her in our yard. I also like to go running and it really bothers me when people let their dogs approach me. I never could understand why people think all people love dogs. Other peoples dogs make me very nervous. I sometimes yell out to them to please keep their dog away from me. Also, some people are allergic to dogs and some dog owners just don't seem to understand that either. Maybe you could report this to the City (I work for a City and get these complaints all the time in which I follow up on and make sure the dog owners know to keep their dog on a leash because it is the Ordinance or they will be fined.) Sorry for rambling it just makes me so mad.

Joanne

 

[luckyruns]

RE: What would you do if you ran into a dog and the own...

My fear is-- I turn and run-- those that have the dogs unleashed will run to me ..then what? Don't get me wrong-- I LOVE DOGS -- and I know it's a select few who abuse the rules. I just wonder how brave we all are. And would the dog owner who let's their dog loose be as brave???????

 

[sparrow]

I posted about a similar situation earlier in the summer, I was running in the woods and came across an unleashed dog, I turned and walked away and the dog followed and stalked me!! I was never so scared. Luckily his owner came around the corner. I think I had reason to be worried cause she was screaming her head off for him to come. I haven't been back on those trails since, not even with DH.

Sparrow

www.scifichics.com