Alison03

Thats a very good idea. :)

RazorBlade interesting name by the way, it says a lot about your mindset. You are the very King of double standards, you walk your dog off leash ignoring the leash law. You have the audacity to include everyone else is your "risk assessment" and then accuse others of having a superiority complex, you need to obey the leash laws like the majority of us and get off your high horse where you feel very special because you are at one with your pet. If by chance I come across you and Toby one day and your dog (who of course will be off leash) decides to rush my dog for whatever out of this world reason, your dog will get whatever I need to use to deflect it from its target, I do not carry a cattle prod or pepper spray, I do not want to permanently harm anyones pet, all I want to be able to do is walk my dog without being menaced by off leash dogs, just seeing an off leash dog is menacing to someone who has been attacked by one, I don't care whether you accept that or not. If by chance I have to belt the crap out of Toby to persuade him to not eat my little dog, you will just have to put up with that and while we are waiting for the police to arrive, you can think what you are going to say to them about having your large dog off leash in a public area. I'm sure they will be fascinated by your explanation, but it will all be in vain because you would have broken the law by having an unleashed dog that attacked a middle aged woman and her little dog while she was having a coffee at your local cafe.

Not everyone is an expert in canine body language. You have seconds to react and for some people their dogs are already reacting. If you don't want to see someone go to town on your dog, you know what to do. And if everyone DID do the right thing, the 'vigilante justice' you speak of would be utterly unnecessary. The solution is so simple, WHY won't people simply obey the damn leash laws? Totally agree. With 25 yrs in the dog world and a good many of them as a trainer let me tell you I would have shot those feral dogs if I had a gun. When your dog and yourself are under attack you don't give a sh$t what the owners will say. You are in SURVIVAL MODE DAMN IT!!! I've been off work for almost a week due to injuries and I'm bloody over it!. Unless you have been in this position you have no idea what its like. I will arm myself with something in the future. I will protect my 6yr old son, dog and self the best I can. Please keep your dog under control, as the next time it happens I promise I will use whatever I can to stop the attack. I have only owned and been walking a dog for five years, I trained her myself by using common sense, she understands what I want and she stays on a leash, because she's just a dog, I love her but she's still a dog. She does not carry on like a pork chop when she sees another dog because I nipped that in the bud when she was young, she walks at heel, no lunging, jumping or barking is attempted, it doesn't seem to occur to her, in those five years I've been rushed many times, once by a large bull dog type, my husband kicked it repeatedly (he would have liked to do something similar to the owner) as its focus was to get our dog, it was very determined, the fact she was covered in its saliva was proof of that. My husband is a big guy and I thank God he had the strength to kick that dog like he did. Eventually it took off back to whatever hell it came from. On another occasion we came upon a family group in the park, we were just walking along the path and a 10ish year old boy from the group who was staring at our dog let go of the leash of his border collie type, the dog shot like a missile at us, I believe the boy did it deliberately, as did his mother who screamed at him "Why did you let go of his leash" he went very red and said "I don't know", Well I do know it was to see what would happen. Kids should not be put in charge of large dogs. Anyway my construction worker husband grabbed the dog by the hair on its back and virtually carried/dragged it back to the woman, she was very apologetic and we were very angry. All of this is so unnecessary, its a privilege to own a dog, they bring us such joy, its a shame that these irresponsible dog owners are going to ruin it for the rest of us, sooner or later the laws will tighten and many types of dogs will be banned, not to mention all the parks that will be "No dogs allowed" just like the national parks. There will be no point in bleating "It was an accident, I left the gate open" or "He's never attacked anyone before, he's a sweet dog". The dog will be confiscated and the owner will get a ban from owning a dog again. If we all do the right thing now those kind of laws can be avoided.

Spot on Reverend

That is true (and pretty much what I was saying) and people need to be aware Being on high alert is very different (or should be) from panic stations. I'm always on high alert as I generally walk 5 small dogs, one of whom is highly reactive and I am always looking out for other dog walkers because I don't want her going off her nut at calm and well behaved dogs. There have also been a few people who have moved into the neighbourhood who seem to have large and highly excitable dogs and obviously don't know how to handle them , so I never know when they are likely to be out at the same time I am. If I see them and can divert, I do. I've also become something of an expert in crossing busy roads to avoid off leash dogs or gyrating "let me eat your little dog" large dogs on leashes because to be perfectly frank when I see a small woman with a large dog on a leash and that dog starts to act up because its seen my dog, I don't trust the woman to be strong enough to hang on to the leash, so I exit stage left, I shouldn't have to do that. Not long ago I walked passed an older lady who when she saw me coming, wrapped the leash of her cattle dog around a sign post and shouted "Just walk passed really quick" she was hanging on to the leash for dear life while her dog carried on like it had rabies. Honest to God if it wasn't so scary it would be comical. Why oh why would anyone make themselves look so ridiculous, they are just walking a dog and it looks like hell.

I have experienced a large dog snapping its collar, more than once, on the first occasion the dog came straight at me and my dog, its owner ended up tackling her dog and rolling in the dirt with it, it was hell bent on getting to my dog, when the owner had regained some kind of control, she said to me "My dog doesn't like small dogs, can you run off now" I'm a 56 year old woman with a bad knee,. I generally don't run anywhere, and in order to go anywhere I had to walk passed her and her gyrating snarling off its head dog as climbing the steep embankment behind me to get out of the park is not an option for me. I have to say I was gobsmacked by the performance that woman put herself through (and me), why in Gods name would anyone walk a dog who obviously had murder on its mind in a park full of small dogs. When I found my voice and realised I was actually still in a small suburban park and not a three ring circus, I told her to climb the embankment as there were 3 little dogs coming up behind her and unless she wanted to repeat her rolling on the ground performance, she should "run off now". I'd like to reiterate for your benefit Steph, that any dog that comes at me and mine at speed for whatever reason, must accept whatever I feel like doling out, a kick, citronella spray, a clout from my handbag, I will never ever in my life again put myself in the position of having to extricate my little dog from a massive dogs mouth if I can prevent that dog getting to us first. I would relish any conversation the owner of the loose dog would like to have with me, you would find that I am more than a match for most people. You can call it panic, hysteria whatever the hell you like. My advice is keep your dog well leashed if it is large enough to snap its collar, because if it escapes( accident or not) your control you will be at fault. You are correct this whole issue is frightening and depressing, the fact that I can't walk my dog without my head doing a 360 every minute to make sure some huge hound isn't about to jump us, is not only frightening and depressing, its unacceptable. If someone feels the need to own a big powerful dog but is incapable of keeping it on a leash and under control or locked up in its yard, then that dog should be taken off them to keep the rest of us safe. If the off leash walkers are encouraged to keep on menacing the rest of us and making excuses for accidental escapes this situation is going to get worse and you will find that the only place you'll be able to see your large dogs is behind bars at a zoo. That time could come quicker than you think if these dog attacks keep occurring.

I'm really sorry to hear of your experience, I absolutely empathise with what happened to you as I had a similar thing happen to me, it was only my strength that allowed me to do battle with the two large dogs that attacked me and my non reactive bomb proof Shihtzu. I think it is very restrained of you to suggest carrying pepper spray. I didn't walk my dog for 12 months, and if I had been forced too nothing less than carrying a 357 magnum would induce me to step out of the door with her on my own. No one knows how it feels to be attacked by large dogs out in the open until it happens to them, it was the single most terrifying experiences of my life. At the time I thanked God I didn't have my 4 year old granddaughter with me. I hope you recover quicker than I did, to be honest I don't think I'll ever fully recover, the care free days of walking my dog are over for me, now I'm constantly on the alert for those superior dog owners with their off leash dogs. I carry a spray called Spray Shield, its harmless to dogs but does have shock value, not sure it would help with the super aggressive dogs but its better than nothing and its legal, unlike pepper spray or a 357 Magnum. :) You were quick Trudy.:) I actually edited my original post to say I wish I had a hand gun a few minutes later. I wouldn't have hesitated for a moment to use it. You're right about it being one of the most terrifying situations to be in. Its your strength against the attacking dogs strength -with the life of your dog at risk. Whats really rocked me is that I never walk the footpaths and I wouldn't dream of using an off leash park. I walk at Dogs Vic KCC park almost daily as Im 99% sure I''ll be among responsible dog owners. Problem is I have now learned the gen/public are bringing aggressive dogs there because they cant walk them on the streets!! What hope have we got? My husband works on construction sites and Ive asked him to ask the lads for something I can protect myself with. No it wont be a gun. ( as much as Id love one) but it will be something to bring back my confidence to walk my dog. Good luck to you, Trudy Unfortunately too many idiots out there with their 'sense of entitlement' putting our dogs and ourselves at risk. . Sorry I took you unawares this morning, I was in a hurry, had to trim my little dog and bath her, so got my messages out of the way first. I think its hard for someone who hasn't been attacked to really understand how it feels and how that feeling never leaves you, I had flashbacks for months, the whole episode would replay in my mind. One thing its made me aware of is that I will fight, not run or freeze, any damage I do to the attacking dogs their owners can blame themselves for because ultimately they are responsible, even if I'd killed those dogs I wouldn't lose a nights sleep over it, I was fighting for my dogs life, I wasn't going to stand there while they pulled her in half. I don't live in Vic I'm in NSW but I've noticed people being up in arms about the BSL laws and some dogs being fought for in court. I take it the Vic government are concerned enough about certain types of dogs to try to regulate them. Not sure how well it will work, whether it will make things worse or better, seems to have made it worse for you if the parks are now being used to exercise some of the powerful dogs. I tend to walk my dog on a main road these days, since we were attacked it appears to be the safest option, there is one park I walk through to get to the main road, where I still have the occasional problem with off leash dogs and their owners. Do take care and try to pick when you walk, i know you shouldn't have too but needs must. I avoid walking on bin day and on weekends (unless my husband is with me), bin day is also leaving the gate open day and weekends is off leash dog day. I walk in the afternoon during the week just before the schools come out, there are more people about then, which makes me feel safer if an off leash dog decides it doesn't like us. My citronella spray has put off a few hyper interested dogs, I spray it on the ground in front of them, they don't like the smell or the hissing noise so they usually take off in another direction. Mostly the owners aren't aware I've done anything. Good luck to you also. :)

You have absolutely done the right thing, everyone should report an incident like this, why should these people be allowed to control the road, this definitely meets the definition of menacing, so be sure to put that word in your report. One day there won't be anyone to drag the dog back inside and he may attack you or some other dog walker, like a child with a little dog for instance. If they shouted he's old and deaf at me I'd shout "Does he still have teeth". if they have gates they should try shutting them to keep the dog in, this kind of thing really gets up my nose, the way they make it sound, like its you thats overreacting and upsetting them. I try to walk my little dog everyday, because we both need the exercise, but I have to force myself to do it because I almost feel like I'm risking her life every time I take her out, most of the time its fine but now and then some son of bitch who shouldn't own a dog, has his pet running free in the park. Then my walk turns into a shouting match, even though I am clearly in the right because my little dog is leashed and his horse sized dog isn't. I rang animal control and the nice lady told me that if she had a little dog she wouldn't walk it at all, its far to dangerous to take small dogs outside. WTF is that what I pay my rates for. Anyway she wanted the guys name and address, which of course I don't have. Not wanting to derail Kirty's thread, but I think this may be relevent to emphasize the importance of reporting incidents. As a post-script to my report on being rushed by a dog (through open front gates) on a footpath on Thursday morning, the ranger has spoken to the dog's owners. They made a lot of excuses, their dog is "old, deaf, sneaky" -ranger responded that it was up to them to contain him and shut the gates. They also said that their dog "didn't actually bite" -ranger explained that a dog escaping it's property could run up and lick someone, it's still classed as a dog attack if it rushes someone. The last excuse/disclaimer was a doozy. The owners said that my dog was a "pitbull" and would have killed their cattledog X anyway, if things ramped up. Nevermind that my pedigree Boxer has a sweet temperament and been well-socialised with dogs and people. In fact the ranger responded with "Well, aren't you lucky that the lady had socialised her dog, and it didn't react to yours!" The dog I reported has a history with the council, going back years. The problem is that not many people report these sort of incidents, and there are years in between reports on this dog. The ranger has asked that I report this dog every time he is out, so that she can start issuing infringements. It's the only way owners like this will learn. Reporting that dog worked out really well for you, looks like it has been the scourge of the neighbourhood for years. Well done. As much as it scares the shite out of me when a dog rushes out of its garden towards us barking and snarling, its also a bit of luck because I know where it lives and I can report it and I do every time, as we all should, the way we respond to a territorial dog dictates what it will do, so if I was a child and I ran, the dog could chase me right under a car or bite me. However animal control aren't interested if you can't give them an address, they can't take up a spot in the local park waiting for off leash dogs, they don't have the funds to do that. PLEASE EVERYONE IF YOU GET RUSHED BY A DOG AND YOU KNOW WHERE IT LIVES OR APPROXIMATELY WHERE IT LIVES, PLEASE PLEASE REPORT THE DOG TO THE LOCAL COUNCIL, YOU COULD BE SAVING SOMEONES LIFE. ALSO IF YOU SEE A PERSON WALKING AN OFF LEASH DOG AND YOU KNOW THAT PERSON AND WHERE THEY LIVE, REPORT THEM TOO. (you can do it anonymously if you like, I don't but the option is there)

No, it isn't. The law has removed that prerogative for certain areas. The risks others take for their dogs translate to issues for the rest of us. Seems to me people need to look beyond their own convenience or pleasure and simply obey the law. Leash up and deal with it people. While you're at it, spare a thought for those who accidentally injure or kill dogs that owners decide not to leash. Hardly a trauma they should have to deal with because you took a risk, not matter how calculated. I've hit a dog. Bloody awful. And totally freakin preventable. I beat the crap out of a couple of large dogs with an open golf umbrella because one of them had my little dog in its mouth and the other one was trying to grab her head, it was the easiest thing in the world for me to do, I had no second thoughts I just did it, I would have happily killed both those dogs and danced on their graves. I know it wasn't the dogs fault but humans are predators too and some of us do not like to be f**ked with. (Sorry about that Haredown it got away with me at the end there) :)

It is absolutely your right to have the opinion that it is the owners prerogative to leash their dog or not, however do you not feel that other community members also have the right to walk their on lead dogs without having the fear of being harassed or attacked by some off leash dog that suddenly takes a dislike to them. It only takes one occasion, for everything to go terribly wrong, and it just doesn't impact the dog owner and their off leash dog, they may well be prepared to take the risk and the consequences, but how dare they include complete strangers in the risk they have taken. It is everybody's place to judge and yes even panic when they see something going on that is blatantly wrong and unsafe, that is what the human community is built on, individuals stopping actions that can harm others. There is a saying that goes something like "In order for wrongdoing (or evil) to prosper, it is only necessary for good men (or women) to do nothing". No one should mind their own business when they see someone in the community part taking in an act that could be dangerous to someone else. Walking a dog off leash is part taking in a dangerous act, especially a large dog, dogs are essentially predators, anyone who forgets that is liable for a rude awakening.

I absolutely agree with every single word you just typed. Especially the "Show some empathy and courtesy FFS". Its the complete lack of consideration for anyone else that appalls me the most. :thumbsup:

I'm really sorry to hear of your experience, I absolutely empathise with what happened to you as I had a similar thing happen to me, it was only my strength that allowed me to do battle with the two large dogs that attacked me and my non reactive bomb proof Shihtzu. I think it is very restrained of you to suggest carrying pepper spray. I didn't walk my dog for 12 months, and if I had been forced too nothing less than carrying a 357 magnum would induce me to step out of the door with her on my own. No one knows how it feels to be attacked by large dogs out in the open until it happens to them, it was the single most terrifying experiences of my life. At the time I thanked God I didn't have my 4 year old granddaughter with me. I hope you recover quicker than I did, to be honest I don't think I'll ever fully recover, the care free days of walking my dog are over for me, now I'm constantly on the alert for those superior dog owners with their off leash dogs. I carry a spray called Spray Shield, its harmless to dogs but does have shock value, not sure it would help with the super aggressive dogs but its better than nothing and its legal, unlike pepper spray or a 357 Magnum. :)

I'm more of the opinion that if everyone obeyed the law and kept their dogs leashed as they are supposed too, then none of this would be an issue Don't you think being rushed by unfriendly dogs only twice as you said, is twice too many times, what if your dog had been attacked and killed on one of those occasions, would that have been ok because it only happened twice. I know what would happen your posts on this forum would be very close to looking like mine for a start. If you think the amount of dog attacks isn't that bad then you haven't been paying attention at all, only a few weeks ago two elderly ladies were attacked in separate incidents, one is still in hospital, then their was the lady who was attacked while pushing her child in a pram, they may be isolated incidents but they feel pretty bloody disastrous if they happen to you or someone you love. If you still feel its ok and in fact beneficial for everyone to have the experience of meeting off leash dogs, you should have realised from reading the other posts on here today that you are in the minority. Seeing as the rest of us aren't as enlightened and downright superior as you and Razor, please go and live on Razors desert island (I suggested he bought one for himself) and have a blast off leash there, i do hope Toby likes your dog or you could have a problem.

You must have trouble with written comprehension. Why don't you go back over my post slowly and you might be able to figure out why I'm not one of those. It was a good attempt at insulting me. If you've read all the recent posts on this very subject, I put it to you that it is in fact you who has a problem with written comprehension, that is causing you to be massively in denial about your actions. I think you are every inch the person described in "off leash addiction", the fact that you can't see it is worrying, and makes the rest of us question whether you have a rational mind at all. Read the posts, the words "Arrogant" and "Selfish" have been used to describe your opinions on walking your dog off leash. You obviously feel you have the God given right to walk your dog off leash, I don't care how well behaved his is or if he does the Times crossword while you drink your coffee or indeed even if Toby is reading economics at Cambridge, he is still a dog and its still illegal to have him off leash in a public area, I suggest you buy a desert island somewhere so Toby can be off leash 24/7, do that and I promise I won't say another word about it.

Exactly those few occasions were very stressful for you and your dogs, what gives any dog owner the right to cause that kind of stress in someone else. What makes them think they are above the law, all the statements they make about how perfectly behaved their dog is off leash, will mean absolutely nothing in court, especially if the magistrate has dealt with dog attacks before. It only takes one time for something awful to happen to seal the fate of a dog and get a massive fine in the process.

It seems it is a bit of an idiotic status symbol like not tethering your dog in the back of a ute. Unfortunately it is always the dog that pays when things go wrong. If a dog walks perfectly off lead beside you then what is the harm in putting a lead on it. I suspect a lot of off leash dogs don't walk quite so nicely when they on lead and some people would rather (think they) look cool over than bothering with loose leash training. Loose dogs even if they are friendly pose a risk to motorists. I don't think some seem to get the fact that people get killed or suffer permanent, debilitating injuries from collisions caused by wandering dogs. Especially if you live in a suburban/highly populated area and unless you are in a designated off leash area just put your dog on a freaking leash. It is not that hard. And no you don't look cool walking beside a highway with your off leash dog you look like an idiot. Edited to add that I haven't had many dogs rush me or my dogs over the years but I have had far too many experiences of close calls on the road and witnessed dogs been hit and killed. I have been badly bitten trying to save a dog from being hit and have picked far too many dead dogs off the road. Someone tell me thats not the only reason they do it. Ok. That's not the reason I do it. Well what is the reason then, you must have one, I'm interested to know what it is. Is it the feeling of freedom? No, it's the relationship you build with your dog. Toby walks beside me not because I have him tied to me. He walks there because I ask him to and because he wants to. Like everything in life it's required a risk assessment. I am capable, responsible and rational enough to make that assessment and I accept the consequences of the decisions I make. What you need to come to terms with is that just because there is no lead doesn't mean there isn't control. A dog that gets out of its yard roaming the neighbourhood is not the same as a dog going for a stroll with its owner. What you need to come to terms with is that when there is no lead, there is a chance that control could be lost, for some unforeseen reason that will change your life forever. I know exactly what you mean. Last weekend, at my local cafe, a leaf blew past the table I was sitting at and Toby sat up quite quickly. I nearly lost control of him and he nearly tipped over my soy caramel decaf latte. Disaster! You mean to tell me the owner of your local cafe allows you to have your dog off leash on his premises, he obviously hasn't done any risk assessments, if your dog created an incident at his cafe where someone was hurt, his insurance would be voided for allowing an off leash dog there. Trust me if Toby does wig out one day, the cafe owner and all the people who say "Hello" to you while your breeze passed with your dog, will be lining up to get into court to tell how often you have been seen breaking the law. You are not only asking complete strangers to take part in your risky behaviour, you are also trusting them not to drop you in it, should something go pear shaped. You are going to be sadly disappointed by human nature when that day comes. If you are going to tell me that everyone you come in to contact with on your travels is very supportive of your off leash triumph, I'd like to point out that they may be a little wary of a man with a large off leash dog. You are in denial about how you are viewed by others.

It seems it is a bit of an idiotic status symbol like not tethering your dog in the back of a ute. Unfortunately it is always the dog that pays when things go wrong. If a dog walks perfectly off lead beside you then what is the harm in putting a lead on it. I suspect a lot of off leash dogs don't walk quite so nicely when they on lead and some people would rather (think they) look cool over than bothering with loose leash training. Loose dogs even if they are friendly pose a risk to motorists. I don't think some seem to get the fact that people get killed or suffer permanent, debilitating injuries from collisions caused by wandering dogs. Especially if you live in a suburban/highly populated area and unless you are in a designated off leash area just put your dog on a freaking leash. It is not that hard. And no you don't look cool walking beside a highway with your off leash dog you look like an idiot. Edited to add that I haven't had many dogs rush me or my dogs over the years but I have had far too many experiences of close calls on the road and witnessed dogs been hit and killed. I have been badly bitten trying to save a dog from being hit and have picked far too many dead dogs off the road. Someone tell me thats not the only reason they do it. Ok. That's not the reason I do it. Well what is the reason then, you must have one, I'm interested to know what it is. Is it the feeling of freedom? No, it's the relationship you build with your dog. Toby walks beside me not because I have him tied to me. He walks there because I ask him to and because he wants to. Like everything in life it's required a risk assessment. I am capable, responsible and rational enough to make that assessment and I accept the consequences of the decisions I make. What you need to come to terms with is that just because there is no lead doesn't mean there isn't control. A dog that gets out of its yard roaming the neighbourhood is not the same as a dog going for a stroll with its owner. Ok I understand the relationship someone builds with their dog, I have done the same with my dog, I know she would walk by me too, she's like my shadow. Its a very special bond. Everything in life is a calculated risk that is very true, but this is where we differ, do you think it is fair to ask the people who share your neighbourhood to also share in the risk you are taking by walking your dog off leash. I am sure you are capable and rational enough to make that risk assessment but where do you have the right to make a risk assessment for other people, whether you realise it or not, when you walk your dog off leash (unless you are in an off leash area of course) in a public area your are asking total strangers to be part of the risk you are taking. You sound like a rational intelligent person, I know you understand what I mean. What you need to come to terms with is that when there is no lead, there is a chance that control could be lost, for some unforeseen reason that will change your life forever.

I've met quite a few well behaved off leash dogs also, some off leash with their owners and some on their own, my dog doesn't react to them at all, but I often wonder if she did react, what their response would be. Watching an off leash dog behaving itself impeccably is a wonderful thing, but should I have to walk passed one of these dogs with my heart in my mouth, praying it doesn't take a dislike to us. Is that fair on the dog owners who obey the law and have their dogs on a leash, should we feel like we are at the mercy of a total stranger with their large dog. Most of us are living in quiet suburban areas, is it fair that we should feel like we are walking through a Safari park, when all we are doing is trying to have a peaceful walk with our dog. I am guilty also of not reminding the off leash dog owners that they should have their dogs on a leash, the reason I don't is that I'm mostly paralysed with fright just putting one foot in front of the other, hoping my dog doesn't pick up on my fear or worse still the mastiff cross I just walked passed with no leash on. I know from experience, as does my little dog, how quickly it can all go pear shaped with an off leash dog( or dogs in our case), I've heard the "They've never done anything like this before" excuse and the "But they are really friendly dogs". If my little dog had barked or growled or lunged, I have no doubt at all the owners of the dogs would have said that there lovely friendly dogs they have walked off leash for years, were provoked by my nasty little dog, however they could not say that, so perhaps it was the colour of her collar they didn't like. I know my constant harping on this subject must drive people nuts, but if what I say on this forum makes a dog owner put that extra bolt on his or her gate to stop their dog/s escaping or makes just one dog owner use a leash when they wouldn't normally and that one out of character action saves some persons life or the life of their dog, I'll feel like that horrible experience i had actually had a silver lining after all.

Can recommend triple crown for sure! Dogs have amazing long yard to spend their days in, and indoor secure kennels at night. They also are only a small kennel, so you know your dog gets the attention it deserves!! Funnily enough, before I went out to look at Acacia Lodge and Meadowmist last weekend I tried to phone Triple Crown at least a half dozen times. I couldnt get anyone to answer the phone! There was the ability to leave a message, but I declined to do so, I would prefer to speak to someone. As a result, I didn't bother to go look, even though they are only a short distance from Acacia Lodge. I got the answering machine too when I rang, but they did get back to me fairly quickly, within the hour . :)

It seems it is a bit of an idiotic status symbol like not tethering your dog in the back of a ute. Unfortunately it is always the dog that pays when things go wrong. If a dog walks perfectly off lead beside you then what is the harm in putting a lead on it. I suspect a lot of off leash dogs don't walk quite so nicely when they on lead and some people would rather (think they) look cool over than bothering with loose leash training. Loose dogs even if they are friendly pose a risk to motorists. I don't think some seem to get the fact that people get killed or suffer permanent, debilitating injuries from collisions caused by wandering dogs. Especially if you live in a suburban/highly populated area and unless you are in a designated off leash area just put your dog on a freaking leash. It is not that hard. And no you don't look cool walking beside a highway with your off leash dog you look like an idiot. Edited to add that I haven't had many dogs rush me or my dogs over the years but I have had far too many experiences of close calls on the road and witnessed dogs been hit and killed. I have been badly bitten trying to save a dog from being hit and have picked far too many dead dogs off the road. Someone tell me thats not the only reason they do it. Ok. That's not the reason I do it. Well what is the reason then, you must have one, I'm interested to know what it is. Is it the feeling of freedom?

I love to see my dog running free, there is nothing quite like it, you get the same type of feeling galloping a horse, a sense of freedom but you wouldn't gallop your horse down the main street or across a park full of people and kids, it has to be done in the right place, where it is safe for everyone. I don't understand the lack of consideration for others shown by some dog owners, I can only assume its something they feel the need to do, to flout authority perhaps. I have noticed that a lot of off leash people seem to be very angry, perhaps its there way of saying F**k you to the world. Is owning a large powerful dog like owning a sports car, kind of a status symbol. Also a dog is a predator, they are capable of killing if they decide they want too, why would anyone take a risk with an animal by having it off leash in a public place knowing that it can kill very easily. To me thats not rational behaviour.

I got the Spray Shield online from Animalcare Australia, its citronella spray and harmless to dogs, they don't like the smell and it comes out of the can with a bit of pressure, you also don't have to be right next to the dog, it works on low to medium aggressive dogs, I've had a dog burst out of its yard and rush us, I used the spray and it stopped the dog, not sure it would stop a truly high level aggressive dog but its better than nothing and its the only legal spray deterrent in NSW. I hope that wild looking dog stays behind the fence. Good luck :)

It seems it is a bit of an idiotic status symbol like not tethering your dog in the back of a ute. Unfortunately it is always the dog that pays when things go wrong. If a dog walks perfectly off lead beside you then what is the harm in putting a lead on it. I suspect a lot of off leash dogs don't walk quite so nicely when they on lead and some people would rather (think they) look cool over than bothering with loose leash training. Loose dogs even if they are friendly pose a risk to motorists. I don't think some seem to get the fact that people get killed or suffer permanent, debilitating injuries from collisions caused by wandering dogs. Especially if you live in a suburban/highly populated area and unless you are in a designated off leash area just put your dog on a freaking leash. It is not that hard. And no you don't look cool walking beside a highway with your off leash dog you look like an idiot. Edited to add that I haven't had many dogs rush me or my dogs over the years but I have had far too many experiences of close calls on the road and witnessed dogs been hit and killed. I have been badly bitten trying to save a dog from being hit and have picked far too many dead dogs off the road. Its the idea that they think their dogs are so perfectly trained, that they are at one with their animals, (is that even possible), that over confidence is scary, pride before a fall and all that. My dog walks next to me on a short loose leash too, in fact every now and then I look down to make sure she is still there its that loose, but there is no play in it that would enable her to take off anywhere at all. I used to ride horses and I know even the most docile meek horse is capable of having a moment, you can't give them the freedom to take you by surprise. All animals are instinct driven they don't rationalise they just follow what is natural to them and they all have their triggers, something that sets them off. If an off leash dogs causes an accident or attacks someone, the owner is the one who will be at fault, they risk being heavily fined and losing their dogs, if you love your dog why would you take that chance, is it just so they can look cool striding along with their off leash dog, someone tell me thats not the only reason they do it.

Actually the rules on this vary from council to council. My council has a on leash unless at an off leash park rule. The council next door has the opposite rule - off leash is ok unless it is an on lead area. All public parks in the area I live in are strictly on leash only, there are many council signs that make it very clear what will happen if you get caught with your dog off leash, the children's play areas have a picture of a dog on a leash with a big diagonal line through it, with NO DOGS ALLOWED its fairly clear what that means. I know this because i actually look for the signs when I take my on leash dog for a walk in a public park. not wishing to come face to face with an off leash dog with attitude, unfortunately there are many dog owners who feel their dogs are so exceptionally well behaved the signs don't apply to them. There are dog parks in the area, where you can take your dog and have a blast off leash and anyone who doesn't like it can leave but apparently thats not as exciting as letting your dog off leash in a public park to intimidate all the rule following fools.

'Wolves'? Is that intended to be some kind of insult because they were big? If she shouldn't have been there she was clearly wrong and inconsiderate. But ball chasing dogs are the least of my concerns usually, they are focussed on the ball and their handler. They might object if another offlead dog went for their ball but otherwise they tend to be uninterested in on lead dogs in my experience. Having them run fast through people was wrong and probably scary, but it doesn't teach them to rush people. If anything it teaches them to focus on the ball and ignore people. The term "Wolves" is intended to describe their behaviour and how they made the rest of us feel about them, they showed absolutely know respect for human beings, knocking kids over like skittles, hence the howling parents, I shudder to think what would have happened if a child had picked up that tennis ball, which a toddler is quite capable of doing. It was a very dangerous situation that could have ended very badly if I hadn't mentioned calling the police, (her whole air of entitlement evaporated immediately) which made the dog owner leave the park, that owners massive ego and over confidence was going to cause an incident there would be no coming back from. When you have two dogs fighting over a ball and being encouraged to do so by the owner, when there are other people around it can only be called grossly irresponsible. Her shouts of "They are only chasing the ball don't be such a baby' isn't going to endear her to someone who was picking her child up off the floor. I am personally sick to death of over confident dog owners, who are so proud of what they think are their perfectly controlled dogs, until it suddenly goes pear shaped and they cry "They've never done anything like that before" and even try to say it was the victims fault. :mad