I walk my dogs at a local school when school is not in session. This gives them a chance to walk on grass inside a gated area. It also allows me to stay off the streets and sidewalks (it seems like drivers these days are getting worse). I follow the leash laws and carry a few small plastic bags in case they have to relieve themselves. Other people walk their dogs also at this school.
Yesterday, two german shepherds charged at me and my dogs. They appeared to be 'playful', but I wasn't sure. I picked both of my dogs up. Both german shepherds attempted to jump at me. The woman that owned the dogs continued her walking without making any attempt to corral them in. Her daughter ran over to try and get them away. When the daughter screamed loudly enough, her mother finally came over.
Although her dogs may have been friendly, mine are not. They are jack russell mixes and are good with people, but not other dogs. At one point in the past, they were attacked by a dog off leash while I was walking them. Ever since then, they have been extremely aggressive to other dogs while on their leashes.
Now, this woman started heading back to continue walking. She had leashes in her hand. I politely asked her if she was going to put her dogs on their leashes, so I could continue walking. Her response was, "No. I waited my turn for other people to leave so that I could let my dogs run free. You can just wait your turn. I only have a few more laps."
At this point I was shocked at her total lack of courtesy and consideration. I reminded her that it is against the law for her dogs to be in this public area off leash. Her response to that was, "Then call the cops", knowing full well that law enforcement would not respond.
My first thought was to go home, get the mace, and spray those dogs if they charged at me and my dogs again. After a few minutes, I calmed down and thought it would be unfair and cruel to those dogs that they would suffer because they had an irresponsible !&@#$!@ for an owner. I ended up driving to another location, and walking my dogs there.
Sorry for the rant. And just out of curiousity, what would you do?
Yesterday, two german shepherds charged at me and my dogs. They appeared to be 'playful', but I wasn't sure. I picked both of my dogs up. Both german shepherds attempted to jump at me. The woman that owned the dogs continued her walking without making any attempt to corral them in. Her daughter ran over to try and get them away. When the daughter screamed loudly enough, her mother finally came over.
Although her dogs may have been friendly, mine are not. They are jack russell mixes and are good with people, but not other dogs. At one point in the past, they were attacked by a dog off leash while I was walking them. Ever since then, they have been extremely aggressive to other dogs while on their leashes.
Now, this woman started heading back to continue walking. She had leashes in her hand. I politely asked her if she was going to put her dogs on their leashes, so I could continue walking. Her response was, "No. I waited my turn for other people to leave so that I could let my dogs run free. You can just wait your turn. I only have a few more laps."
At this point I was shocked at her total lack of courtesy and consideration. I reminded her that it is against the law for her dogs to be in this public area off leash. Her response to that was, "Then call the cops", knowing full well that law enforcement would not respond.
My first thought was to go home, get the mace, and spray those dogs if they charged at me and my dogs again. After a few minutes, I calmed down and thought it would be unfair and cruel to those dogs that they would suffer because they had an irresponsible !&@#$!@ for an owner. I ended up driving to another location, and walking my dogs there.
Sorry for the rant. And just out of curiousity, what would you do?