Leaving Dogs Tethered Outside The Supermarket

[M United]

Someone was telling me yesterday that he some sort of staffy tied up near some restaurants in canberra. He was going to go for a hello but saw a leather muzzle on it and decided against it. Lucky he did when he was near it (walking on the footpath) the dog lunged at him to attack him and just missed him. No owner in sight. God knows what would happen if a kid walks past. Risky business leaving your dog tied up.

[Tralee]

Actually, I don't think the poll option of leaving your dog outside a supermarket for 5 minutes is realistic... It would take longer than that to find what you're looking for and get through the checkout.

And a lot can happen in just a few minutes, as others have said.

Way to contradict yourself.

Done it many times.

Would not recommend it.

Will only be doing it in future, very guardedly.

Great thread for a dog forum BTW

Did I contradict myself? Oh, do you mean because the thread is about a Newfy being left for over an hour?

I don't think it's a good idea for any length of time, for many reasons.

No.

The contradiction is here:

I don't think the poll option of leaving your dog outside a supermarket for 5 minutes is realistic...

a lot can happen in just a few minutes

I only have trouble finding what I'm looking for when I go into Woolies and they've changed all the aisles around. :laugh:

Unlike me, you probably get stuck talking to people.

[Tralee]

Is this in NSW? If so, the dog is considered under effective control if it is tethered to a fixed structure.

I'm not sure that is the correct interpretation melzawelza.

13 Responsibilities while dog in public place

(1) A dog that is in a public place must be under the effective control of some competent person by means of an adequate chain, cord or leash that is attached to the dog and that is being held by (or secured to) the person.

NSW Companion Animals Act 1998

I believe a dog teathered to a fixed object or structure is not held or secured to a person and further, it is only permitted in off-leash type areas. This is understood in regard to the meaning of 'on leash' which is inclusive of being held (or secured to) the person.

Regards.

See 5 (f) of that very same section:

(5) This section does not apply to:

(a) a dog accompanied by some competent person in an area declared to be an off-leash area by a declaration under this section (but only if the total number of dogs that the person is accompanied by or has control of does not exceed 4), or

(b) a dog engaged in the droving, tending or working of stock, or

© a dog being exhibited for show purposes, or

(d) a dog participating in an obedience class, trial or exhibition, or

(e) a police dog, or

(e1) a corrective services dog, or

(f) a dog secured in a cage or vehicle or tethered to a fixed object or structure.

As I have already stated: Section 1 and Section 5 are not inclusive, they are different circumstances, that is why section 5 is needed.

[Tralee]

Is this in NSW? If so, the dog is considered under effective control if it is tethered to a fixed structure.

I'm not sure that is the correct interpretation melzawelza.

13 Responsibilities while dog in public place

(1) A dog that is in a public place must be under the effective control of some competent person by means of an adequate chain, cord or leash that is attached to the dog and that is being held by (or secured to) the person.

NSW Companion Animals Act 1998

I believe a dog teathered to a fixed object or structure is not held or secured to a person and further, it is only permitted in off-leash type areas. This is understood in regard to the meaning of 'on leash' which is inclusive of being held (or secured to) the person.

Regards.

If you keep reading:

(5) This section does not apply to:

...

(f) a dog secured in a cage or vehicle or tethered to a fixed object or structure.

It is legal, but as you said earlier you could still be charged depending on the dog's behaviour while secured.

I did keep reading, and I read very well, thank you. :laugh:

Sub-section 5, part (f) should not be taken out of context and Sub-section 5 must be read as a whole.

Selective pieces of it cannot be taken to mean something that is not implied.

Sub-section 5 refers to areas other than public places, not footpaths etc.

For example, a dog may be teathered to the back of a ute.

The back of a ute is not a public place, or a place of exception, such as an offleash area.

Sub-section 5 part (f), specifically, and in particular, does not refer to teathering a dog to a post in a public place.

That is why Sub-section 5 is needed, it is a different circumstance to Sub-section 1.

Sub-section 1 and Sub-section 5 are different they are not the same.

And they are not interchangable.

Further, "Just because a dog is not on a lead in an off-leash area, or is secured in a cage or vehicle or is tethered to a fixed object or structure, does not mean that an offence under section 16 is not committed if the dog rushes at, attacks, bites, harasses or chases any person or animal, whether or not any injury is caused."

Leave your dog unattended away from your property at your own peril.

It doesn't say 'this sub-section doesn't apply' it says this Section doesn't apply. Meaning Section 13. Meaning the part about being held by an owner. It is perfectly legal to leave your dog tethered. If it wasn't I'd be able to spend my whole day booking people for it if I wanted to.

I agree that leaving your dog tethered is mental and I'd never do it, but it is definitely legal in NSW to do so. If your dog bites someone while tethered you can have action taken against you, just like if your dog bites someone while you're walking it down the street you can have action taken against you.

Well, I'm not accepting your ruling.

Just as I did not accept the local ranger's "Dangerous Dog Declaration", and recently successfully appealed against it and prosecuted an inarguable case in court.

[Poodle Mum]

Would never in a million years consider tieing my dog up & leaving it. Would be worried about somebody stealing them.

But sometimes I would have gladly tied up my human children outside a shop & leave them... :laugh: :laugh:

[LisaCC]

I'll tie Sam up outside the corner store when I duck into the butchers to grab him a bone. The front is all glass and we can still see each other the whole time. He generally gets a free bit of chicken or something too. But its a quiet little corner store in a good area. I would never leave him out the front of a big woolies etc.

My partner will tie up his dog outside of dog friendly cafes while he orders a drink. Plenty of people do it and no one seems to have a problem, people leave the dogs alone while they lay under the tables.

In his home town of about 400 people, dogs are welcome at the pub too.

Edited February 15, 2013 by LisaCC

[mantis]

Someone was telling me yesterday that he some sort of staffy tied up near some restaurants in canberra. He was going to go for a hello but saw a leather muzzle on it and decided against it. Lucky he did when he was near it (walking on the footpath) the dog lunged at him to attack him and just missed him. No owner in sight. God knows what would happen if a kid walks past. Risky business leaving your dog tied up.

My suspicions from the thread you started, have been confirmed.

[mantis]

Would never in a million years consider tieing my dog up & leaving it. Would be worried about somebody stealing them.

But sometimes I would have gladly tied up my human children outside a shop & leave them... :laugh: :laugh:

Only problem with that is, no one would steal your human kids, but if you tied your dog kids next to them, they'd be gone in a flash.

[Rascalmyshadow]

I have not read through all posts but I think there are too many do gooders making issues for no reason. If the dog is comfortable with shade and water why should anyone make a problem for the owner???

The same people would carry on if the dog never got out of its yard.

I wouldn't do it because I have little dogs but years ago with our big dogs we had no problem tying them outside shops and oh we are such bad owners we used to even take then on the train to the city.

If more people took their dogs everywhere we would have less anti social dogs.

[Guest Maeby Fünke]

I have not read through all posts but I think there are too many do gooders making issues for no reason. If the dog is comfortable with shade and water why should anyone make a problem for the owner???

The same people would carry on if the dog never got out of its yard.

I wouldn't do it because I have little dogs but years ago with our big dogs we had no problem tying them outside shops and oh we are such bad owners we used to even take then on the train to the city.

If more people took their dogs everywhere we would have less anti social dogs.

Do gooders? People carrying on? Making a problem for the owner?!

I suggest you read the whole thread; it's actually very interesting and quite an eye-opener.

Personally, I wouldn't do it because, in my opinion, the risks outweigh the benefits (and I don't believe there are any), and leaving your dog tied up outside a supermarket isn't socialisation; it's just irresponsible and selfish.

[Erny]

There is often a dog or two or three tethered at a supermarket that I go to. There's plenty of space, shade and often a water container nearby. Mostly the dogs are fairly relaxed, just resting whilst they keep their eyes on the door for the owner/s to return. I think it is nice when one can take dog for a walk, combine a bit of a shop and walk back home again. It's what more people used to do more often years ago.

The only shame in it is the possibility of a dog being stolen. I think one needs to pick their areas. I wouldn't do it for this reason and because I don't do it for that reason, my current boy would be unused to it, rendering it a 'reality' activity unsuitable for the environment. Sad though, as this is the path we're going down (for our own good reasons) and it results in dogs being less and less involved as being a 'norm' for the community.

[Erny]

My dogs once were to be able to be left on down stays outside the shops... .. large savage beasts unrestrained in the centre of town..how times have changed.

I once used to be able to do this with my previous girl too. There would be some good things if we could turn back time, but that would take a shift in mentality as well and that makes it hard <sigh> .

What's a bit evidenced here is the almost *shock; horror* at such a thing and I guess that is because as generations move onwards, they become sensitised to this as such a novelty thing.

Edited February 16, 2013 by Erny

[mantis]

My dogs once were to be able to be left on down stays outside the shops... .. large savage beasts unrestrained in the centre of town..how times have changed.

I once used to be able to do this with my previous girl too. There would be some good things if we could turn back time, but that would take a shift in mentality as well and that makes it hard <sigh> .

What's a bit evidenced here is the almost *shock; horror* at such a thing and I guess that is because as generations move onwards, they become sensitised to this as such a novelty thing.

Ermy I come from the 60's where all dogs ran free. Alas you can't do it now with the threat of dogs being declared dangerous & kids not being taught how to respect dogs.

As I said, I have seen little kids run up to a tethered dog, while the parents do nothing. I agree it's sad, but we can't risk our dogs, because it's no longer the 60's unfortunately.

[Erny]

Erny I come from the 60's where all dogs ran free.

Aaahhh, the good ol' days :)

Alas you can't do it now with the threat of dogs being declared dangerous & kids not being taught how to respect dogs.

As I said, I have seen little kids run up to a tethered dog, while the parents do nothing. I agree it's sad, but we can't risk our dogs, because it's no longer the 60's unfortunately.

I get what you're saying and I wouldn't do it myself (more for the risk of dog-theft) anymore, but there are different areas where this is the accepted norm (especially country towns) and remains ok.

The point is that the person who tethered the dog (the OP's topic) isn't necessarily doing anything wrong by the dog. Taking risks perhaps, but not necessarily doing any wrong to deserve authoritarian report and/or back-lash.

[huski]

I would be way too scared to leave my dogs outside the shop unless I could see them the whole time. Far too many weirdos and idiots out there! If I need to run into the shop on my way home (as I always have the dog with me as she comes to work with me) assuming its not hot I leave them in the car.

I do take the dogs to the shops as a training exercise though :) great practice for them around lots of distractions.

[Blackdogs]

For those that think their dog is safe look in the news thread re: the staffy stolen outside a very popular supermarket

And it's so rare that it made the news.

[minimax]

For those that think their dog is safe look in the news thread re: the staffy stolen outside a very popular supermarket

And it's so rare that it made the news.

You think everytime something happens in the world they show it on the news? Plenty of things get stolen and don't make the news.

Edited February 17, 2013 by minimax

[Canine Coach]

Some people, especially pensioners, may not have access to a car

I am wondering if the walk to the supermarket is the dogs & the owner's main exercise period of the day

IF a dog has shade/shelter, (&water if hot day) & is at least being taken for an outing, & is not acting in an aggressive manner, I see know reason why it can not be tethered outside for up to 15 minutes

A longer period is probably too stressful

Usually people go by & ooo & ahh at the dogs left outside MY local Safeway

I do see a few barking stressed little dogs but most are verbally reassured & fussed over by passers by

I have put my 2 big very polite, & trained dogs in a Sit Stay outside my local bakery, (under cover & only for 5 minutes) while I bought bread or pick up my mail from my PO Box

They get to share a sausage roll reward for staying

I can see them from the shop P.O. window at all times

I sometimes do not feel like driving & the 3KM exercise is great for all of us

We sometimes walk the 1.5 KM back & forth from my home on a bike track, so the walk has a purpose

When I was a kid (in the Dark Ages)EVERYONE, I mean EVERYONE, walked their dogs to the shops

About 30 years ago, had a gorgeous 6 months old Springer show dog stolen from outside a shop. Now, I never ever ever leave MY dogs where I can not SEE them, from the shop window

[Sheridan]

For those that think their dog is safe look in the news thread re: the staffy stolen outside a very popular supermarket

And it's so rare that it made the news.

It's not the only one that's made the news recently but think of how often it might happen where it doesn't make the news.

People, do what you like, but please don't bitch about those of us who won't leave our dogs to chance outside a shop.

[Dame Aussie]

For those that think their dog is safe look in the news thread re: the staffy stolen outside a very popular supermarket

And it's so rare that it made the news.

It's not the only one that's made the news recently but think of how often it might happen where it doesn't make the news.

People, do what you like, but please don't bitch about those of us who won't leave our dogs to chance outside a shop.

Exactly.