Leash Law Questions

[nerdy123]

Ok, I know that there are some attorneys on this site, so I have a question that has been nagging me for some time:

I have a dog that I run/jog/walk several miles daily. Keeps us both in shape and happier, we also like the outdoors and taking advantage of SAs fine greenbelt paths and parks.

My girl is a Pit bull, a staffy, but a pit all the same. I NEVER walk her off her leash (8 foot leather, not an extendible), although I can. She is very friendly and well behaved. She is also highly trained and heels perfectly.

Enough build up, here's the question. Without fail, every few days, I run into some Ass who believes their dog is too good for a leash. The dog, also without fail, runs up to my dog. As I said, she is well behaved, but any dog approaching daddy quickly could be aggressive, and it puts her on the defense. The question is, what is my responsibility if a dogfight ensues? Obviously my dog can do far more damage, quickly, than most. If she were to injure or kill another dog because there is no way to pull the pups apart, am I liable? Also, if a skirmish were to take place, could I kick the other dog? I am not sticking my hand in there once biting starts.

Usually nothing happens, my girl growls, or I pull her away quickly, and proceed to tell the other owner that there happens to be a law about this, which usually they act like I'm the dick in the situation,

This happened again this morning. This chick had a 75 lb German Shep, and hadn't even bothered to take a leash on the walk at all. Hell, even the jackasses with the 20' extendibles are respecting the law to a degree.

[pickupkid]

I'm not a lawyer but kicking a dog is out of the question. His dog should be on a leach...report him. if there is a dog fight. yes you are liable. Its your dog ...you're liable.

[nerdy123]

I'm liable if my dog is restrained and theirs isn't?

[SARufus]

I'm not a lawyer either, but I do not believe you are liable. The other dog owner is neglegent for ignoring the law.

I think of it this way. What if you are walking around by yourself and the same dumb ass has their dog off the leash. If the dog comes over and attacks you, you have the right to defend your self.

[SARufus]

Check out this site:

http://www.badrap.org/dog-law

[Guest070517]

Who has the best lawyer -- hate to say it but could be true. A pit has a bad rap.. FYI I love Pits, rotties, & Doberman... but they can be tough. Long ago I had 2 cute puppies (about 60 & 80 lbs), a male & female-- breading pair. My neighbor LOVED playing with them! Long after I moved, I went back & told my neighbor what they were, one was 75% & the other was 93% wolf-- AND they looked it!!! She shit a brick & told me to leave & she was calling animal control. Anyone wonder why I am in Texas..LOL

[Chincho]

I shoot peoples dogs all the time, if it has the potential to harm my property it's dead. You own your dog so he's your property, so protect him.

Throw all that liberal yuppie bullshit out of your head and become your own dam animal defense league!

[nerdy123]

Great Site SARufus! It probably doesn't hurt that my girl has gone through 2 levels of obedience training either. I also like the one about taking pics of violators. That is going into effect today!

I also may grab some dog mace- It may encourage owners to be more responsible.

I actually use the Pit thing against these people, Like "Dumbass- you get shes a pit, right? Leash your damn dog!"

[Doglegg]

When walking my dogs (always on leash) I normally have some form of deterrent in a fanny pack.

I have a neighbor that has several dogs and finally put up a fence after multiple citations and finally heavy fines.

His dogs still got out.

Bear spray works well until the dog learns distance. Then they stay out of range and wait till the can is empty.

After firing my 38 towards a safe zone (no houses, horses, people etc. for a couple of miles) he comes out to see what the problem is.

Did you fire a gun? Yes your dogs are out.

You don't have to fire a gun! Bear spray no longer works.

You used pepper spray? Yes, but your dogs have learned to stay out of range.

Did you shoot at my dogs? No, they are still alive.

Why don't you just tell me my dogs are out? Ok, your dogs are out.

You don't have to shoot my dogs they are harmless (As one of his dogs are nipping at the legs of one of my dogs)! Then keep you dogs in your yard. I am tired of having to deal with YOUR dogs every time I go for a walk.

His dogs have since been contained in his yard. Life is good and he thinks I am a little crazy, which makes life just a bit better. He keeps his distance and I can go about mine on a daily basis.

Sometimes it helps when a recalcitrant dog owner knows that you are armed and willing to use a handgun to protect yourself and your dog from his or her dog. This does nothing to train their dog, but it does a lot to train the dog owner.

When they see you and your dog they will ensure their dog is leashed and under control until you are out of range.

Some folks may be uncomfortable with brandishing a weapon and that is ok.

If a cop shows up, have your license and explain your version. As long as you are calm, sane and explain properly that you are just protecting you and yours from a potential threat and that the other person is in violation of an established leash law, then you should be ok.

My opinion only.

[Camille Fox]

Doggleg, I know you have military and probably firing range experience. You know when the range goes hot, there are several steps that are taken to ensure no one is accidentally down range when shooting (and this is in a military installation, where the likelihood of kids playing there is low). I cannot think that recommending someone to fire a weapon at what one may consider to be a "safe" zone is actually safe.

Kids wonder, they like to play as if they are going on "adventures". It would be a horrible day if you were to shoot at an innocent bystander, even if nothing was to happen to you.



Camille

[Precious_b]

A friend of mine walks his dog also.

He accidentally found a great deterrent.

He always carried one of those electrical stunners. You know, hit the button and it arcs with however many volts of electricity. A pack of dogs had been roaming his neighborhood and one day they made a bee line towards him. He got the stunner out and hit the button. He said the dogs kept up their stride but turned a WIDE arc of him. Leaving everyone alone.

Get your dog use to the sound of one and start walking again with it. I don't know the odds of how many dogs avoid these things but it can't hurt to try.

[Doglegg]

Camille,

Yes there are several steps in securing a downrange.

On this particular corner I ensured my firing arc and KNOW what is down range. True since this is an open pasture ranch area the possibility of someone being there does exist.

I understand what you are saying. When I fired my weapon, I did so with most reluctance, but in order to make the dogs retreat and hopefully for the owner to come out of his house, I did so. The actions worked, no one was injured, all in all, not a bad day.

I do not take firing a weapon lightly.

What I did learn that day is that I could not shoot a dog just because it was circling, growling and barking. The dog was doing what dogs do. The fault was in the owner, not the dog.

Had the owner attempted to do more than yell or gesticulate, the story would not have a good ending.

I ensured my weapon stayed out of his sight, but both he and I knew why my hand was behind my back, thumb on the hammer and finger shadowing the trigger guard. I believe in de-escalation whenever possible. This time cool heads and a mutual understanding won the day.

I am not suggesting that the OP fire a weapon in a greenbelt or park to get an owners attention. Nor am I suggesting waving one about to scare anyone and everyone away. Veterans have enough to deal with without the added label of lunatic being attached.

There are ways of getting your point across without threats or brandishing weapons.

[HammeringHank]

Scary dude. As a kid I liked war games and was always hiding in vacant lots, in grass, behind houses, under bushes, all kinds of shit like that, at all hours of the day and night. I'm glad I didn't grow up around this dude.

[rockerrick]

^^^^ Gee wonder who this might be? System wouldn't give you Hammocked?

[inspector farquar]

Originally Posted by Chincho

Throw all that liberal yuppie bullshit out of your head and become your own dam animal defense league!

"Liberal yuppie bullshit" has an animal defense league? And why are they in people's heads?