LEASH UP! Your Dog's Safety Matters

          This is a cautionary tale. It’s a little longer than usual, so Sit. Stay. Please.

Of all the personal pictures I have of me with dogs, one of my all-time favorites is this one.

It's a shot my husband captured six years ago when my friend Petey came from a shelter to live with us.

Petey and I had a special connection, and still do to this day. He was adopted just a couple of weeks after moving in with us by a wonderful, loving couple, Barbara and Joe, who, in turn, have become treasured friends.

Fast forward to last month and a heart-wrenching phone call I got from Barbara. She, Petey and her other dog Blossom were taking their daily walk (on leash) in a park near their Stone Mountain, Georgia home.  Suddenly, two loose dogs – a 100 pound Boxer mix and a 70-pound English Bulldog – came seemingly out of nowhere and attacked Petey.  Blossom, I am told, stepped in to help fight them off and became a victim, too.  Barbara courageously threw her body on top of her two dogs to protect them and to fight off their attackers.  Mind you, Barbara is tiny and in her early 70’s.  She is one of the bravest people I know.

After what seemed an eternity of screams, snarls and battling bodies, the dogs’ owner finally arrived to call them off.  Their leashes were in his pocket.

WHAT!?

There were police and an ambulance. Barbara’s hands were bitten and required stitches. Blossom was badly wounded on her back.

Blossom

And Petey --- Petey got the worst of it. He suffered wounds to his back and legs so severe that they required many stitches and seven drains. He may have permanent nerve damage to one of his back legs. Thankfully, he was not killed.

Petey in recovery

The dogs who attacked them were impounded and placed in quarantine. Their owner was charged and fined. The medical costs for Barbara, Blossom and Petey are in the thousands of dollars. The legal repercussions have yet to be fully reconciled.  I do know that the two offending dogs are still alive, because Barbara did not want them put to death. They now have a record, though.  If anything like this happens again, they won't get another chance. 

All of this could have been avoided if these dogs’ owner had simply followed the law and kept them on leash. What was he thinking?  “My dogs are different; they’re harmless”?  Maybe even… “It's okay. They’re friendly!”

Perhaps they were, but not that day.  All it takes is one event, one mistake.  Now, my beloved pal Petey may never walk the same again. He and Blossom may now be afraid of other dogs for life.  After many years of feeling safe there, my dear friend Barbara will never take them back to that park again for fear of what could happen.  She can’t count on her neighbors.

People like Barbara shouldn't have to look over their shoulders during a walk in the park.  Petey and Blossom are on the mend, but they should not have endured such a brutal attack because of one person's carelessness.

Petey

There are leash laws for a reason.  Not all dogs are friendly to all other dogs or to people.  Sadly, those who do observe leash laws must always be vigilant for those who are foolish enough to think they’re different, who think these laws don’t apply to them. 

WHAT TO DO

           If you are among the vigilant, develop a plan in advance for coping with loose dogs.   There are no guarantees, but that plan could buy you precious time.  Here’s something I and many other trainers teach:

• Teach your dog to “Hold” on cue and step behind you … or you step in front of her.
• Stand your ground. Thrust your hand forward in the universal sign to Stop, and speak directly and sharply to the approaching dog … “STOP!” or “NO!” or even, “SIT!”  It may be enough to startle him to stop, run away or Sit for you.
• If you have treats with you, throw a handful at him as a distraction.  It could give you enough time to beat a hasty retreat.
• Practice this routine until it becomes second nature.  It may seem silly or awkward when the “loose dog” is imaginary, but it will serve you well when you need it.

It also doesn’t hurt to carry a stick, umbrella or deterrent spray with you on walks, just in case.  That’s Barbara’s plan from now on.

If you are among the foolish, the message is simple: Don’t be. Learn your community's laws and follow them!  Leash your dog.  Don’t give your dog the slightest opportunity to be a problem or, worse, a danger.  It could cost you legal worries, lots of money, and it could potentially cost your dog his life.

Posted by Jenny West Schneider, CPDT-KA, PMCT, ANWI     Camp Canine USA, LLC