Should I Write In?

[Hamsters82]

As you all know, I live in an apartment/townhouse complex where there are certain rules for our dogs. Many of these rules are disregarded and it bothers me, but the one that bothers me the most is that people just allow their dogs to roam off leash. And no long lead is attached to them.

Now some of these dogs are obedient I can see why they're let off leash, but still what if something happened? One time a German Shepherd ran right up to Luke and thankfully all was well, but it could've gone wrong in less than a second. Then there are some that are let off to go to the bathroom, near our small yard. Or some like to play ball, understandable....but do it at a dog park. Many people walk their dogs in that area; it's our "short-cut" home.

Sometimes obedient dogs won't listen. The German Shepherd here is very obedient, but one time didn't listen to his owner. What if the next time he doesn't listen and encounters an aggressive dog? Or some dogs are off leash and don't listen. They do what they want no matter what the owner is telling them. If they want to cross a street and the owner yells "no", who cares...they see a dog across the way and want to meet them. What if they get hit by a car?

My point is, should I write an anonymous letter to the office saying these people are letting their dogs off leash and to reinforce the rules on them? I don't want to seem like a complainer, but something needs to be done. I would just say "I've seen people let their dogs off their leash, could you please...." and go onward from there. Cause it's really annoying; I don't want anything to happen to Luke or their dogs.

So what do you think I should do?

[pinky]

Katie, why must you be anonymous? You will make a far stronger argument if you identify yourself as a bona fide resident, one who owns and walks a dog and has had experiences that didn't go wrong, but could have. You need to tell your stories. You don't need to identify specific dogs or owners, but you do need to use facts to make your case. "I've seen dogs off-leash; could you please. . ." is not compelling--talk about what's happened and what could happen. If you were startled by that German Shepherd, have the reader imagine some 80 year-old lady walking her little dog and having that shepherd run up. If you can effectively convey that this is a disaster waiting to happen, action may result.

[Die Fledermaus]

Remember Rocky? The white boxer off the leash near me who was hit and injured by a car. He survived. Later died of a heart attack but not from the car.

Being off leash on streets is illegal and dangerous for the animal. Some are very well trained, those off. But stuff and distractions can happen, be it vehicles or other animals. It could be attacking another dog, or a squirrel, or suddenly chasing something into the street.

Buy yourself legal pepper spray and have it ready when walking.

You can consider a camera for photographic evidence.

Warn whomever is doing this it is illegal or a rules violation, and dangerous to your dog and the unleashed dog. Do it politely and in a friendly way. If Luke is in any way endangered also report it to the police.Get it on record, on paper.

Talk to your City Councilman, or equivalent in Maple Shade, about this and your options.

Being anonymous will get you ignored in all likelihood.

[Die Fledermaus]

One other thing, I have often thought of what should happen if a larger dog attacks a smaller god that is being walked by someone. What should they do? You do NOT want to wait until the big dog has the other in his teeth!

What options are there? Carry a club and slug it out?

Carry pepper spray?

Carry a loud air horn, available at any Boating supplies store OR RIGHT HERE

Such a loud sound may scare off any aggressive dog.

Whatever you do, have a plan ready before anything happens.

[Hamsters82]

Robin--I have to do it anonymously because people know me here. I talk to most of the dog walkers and while some agree with me, most are the ones who allow their dogs off leash. I don't want to be on bad terms with these people, so if they don't know who wrote it I'll be fine.
I figured I'd begin saying something like: "To the Office of ...... I am a concerned resident here that sees...." and go on from there. Whenever I write it up, would you like to read it?

Tom--first of all, please edit your post and instead put M.S. I don't want people to know where I live, thanks. Also I'm not going to go that far. I'm just going to write to our office about this. I'm going to do so in a polite, but specific way. I'll tell the office which court they're in.

I usually avoid all big dogs unless they're a friendly breed. I know even the friendliest of breeds can turn, but it's more likely one will get attacked by a bully breed then a Lab. Sometimes I carry an umbrella with me, so if something does start I have a weapon with me. Luke also can handle his own; he's certainly not afraid!