Leash laws in various parts of the country?
Oct 9th, 2006, 06:13 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,276
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Leash laws in various parts of the country?
Are leash laws uniform from state to state (meaning, does every state have a basic statute that you have to keep your dog on a leash when out in public)?
California definitely does. Yet people break it all of the time, and now my dear greyhound is laying here with a 6" gash stitched together with a 12" tube surgically placed beneath her skin to drain blood and fluid---- all because some people think the law doesn't apply to them.
Sorry if this isn't travel related. I would be genuinely interested in knowing about your state's law. To me, it's a no-brainer, everywhere. Can't believe my dog was attacked...
#39;(
California definitely does. Yet people break it all of the time, and now my dear greyhound is laying here with a 6" gash stitched together with a 12" tube surgically placed beneath her skin to drain blood and fluid---- all because some people think the law doesn't apply to them.
Sorry if this isn't travel related. I would be genuinely interested in knowing about your state's law. To me, it's a no-brainer, everywhere. Can't believe my dog was attacked...
#39;(
Oct 9th, 2006, 06:16 PM
#2
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 37,416
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
People break the law all the time in all states. Sorry to hear about your dog...that's very sad. Hope he/she is on the mend. If you posted this to the "Other Topics" forum, you wouldn't have to worry about it being travel related.
Oct 9th, 2006, 06:20 PM
#3
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 34,738
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Leash laws, speed laws, smoking, cell phones, they are all laws that people break all the time..it really has nothing to do with the state, in my opinion, it is just the person who does or does not comply with the law.
I am sooo sorry that your poor grey was hurt,what kind of dog attacked her?
What did its owner do ?
Do you have their name etc?
We have leash laws here in Portland, but people do walk their dogs off-leash, so far , they all seem to be safe dogs, but it can make a person nervous to see a big dog running around loose.
I am sooo sorry that your poor grey was hurt,what kind of dog attacked her?
What did its owner do ?
Do you have their name etc?
We have leash laws here in Portland, but people do walk their dogs off-leash, so far , they all seem to be safe dogs, but it can make a person nervous to see a big dog running around loose.
Oct 9th, 2006, 06:27 PM
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,276
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
thanks, Scarlett. and yep, she's on the mend... they gave her morphine today! i didn't know they did that for dogs, but why not, I guess!
fortunately, the owner has been apologetic and has said that he'd pay for the expenses (almost $1,000! and that doesn't count follow-up appts!). honestly, if he never paid up, i don't even care, i just want him to learn his lesson about the leash.
hate to perpetuate negative stereotypes about dogs... but it was a pitbull. and i've gone out of my way (in the past) to not go out of my way around pitbulls, rottweilers, etc., but i've grown increasingly frustrated by the stereotypes coming true and now look!
ugh.
it's funny because having a large dog myself, and having been bitten on the face when i was 5 and needing a facefull of stitches, i've always been mega careful about keeping my own dogs leashed and under control, but even owners of little harmless dogs let them come up to my dog without knowing if mine is friendly! common sense, right?!?
fortunately, the owner has been apologetic and has said that he'd pay for the expenses (almost $1,000! and that doesn't count follow-up appts!). honestly, if he never paid up, i don't even care, i just want him to learn his lesson about the leash.
hate to perpetuate negative stereotypes about dogs... but it was a pitbull. and i've gone out of my way (in the past) to not go out of my way around pitbulls, rottweilers, etc., but i've grown increasingly frustrated by the stereotypes coming true and now look!
ugh.
it's funny because having a large dog myself, and having been bitten on the face when i was 5 and needing a facefull of stitches, i've always been mega careful about keeping my own dogs leashed and under control, but even owners of little harmless dogs let them come up to my dog without knowing if mine is friendly! common sense, right?!?
Oct 9th, 2006, 06:38 PM
#5
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 34,738
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Ugh! That is my fear, I see people playing with pitts in our parks with no leash and the dogs look like they are friendly but even if they are, they are so deadly with those jaws 
Sad, very sad, poor pup, hope she recovers quickly ..
Sad, very sad, poor pup, hope she recovers quickly ..
Oct 9th, 2006, 06:48 PM
#6
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 25,074
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I am so sorry your dog was hurt. I hate pit bulls. Here in Austin, TX we have leash laws but my little shih tzu has been charged so many times by unleashed dogs, she's afraid to walk very far in this neighborhood. Whenever I see a dog coming at her, I always grab her and pick her up, but of course I'm no match for a pit bull or some other large, aggressive dog. I wish everyone would respect the leash law. We would all be safer.
Oct 9th, 2006, 07:20 PM
#7
Guest
Posts: n/a
They have a leash law here in Denver that very few seem to observe. I always keep my little one on a leash because she's very protective. If another dog gets too close she'll snap at them. When I see other dogs, on leash or not, we always go the other way.
There have been a couple times when dogs that weren't on a leash got too close and got nipped. I do everything in my power to keep her close to me so she can't, but I can't do anything about the other dog.
And don't get me started about picking up after your dog. People around here don't do that either. I wish I could have that careless disregard for the law, but I guess my parents raised me too well.
There have been a couple times when dogs that weren't on a leash got too close and got nipped. I do everything in my power to keep her close to me so she can't, but I can't do anything about the other dog.
And don't get me started about picking up after your dog. People around here don't do that either. I wish I could have that careless disregard for the law, but I guess my parents raised me too well.
Oct 9th, 2006, 10:02 PM
#8
What a terrible experience.
We have some neighbors who think they're too special to use leashes for their dogs, but most people do. Most people clean up after their dogs too. The exception to that is Dog Beach in Ocean Beach. Last year the City Council threatened to close it to dogs if the owners didn't start picking up after their dogs. The city provides little baggies on the beach and in all our parks so there's no excuse. Now we're getting dog parks in residential neighborhoods where dogs can run without a leash. This is good, but I hope people pick up.
My pet peeve is people who insist on taking dogs to sports events at schools. In California, it's against the law to take dogs on to school grounds, except service dogs, of course. And yet, you see them everywhere. People just let them run off the leash on the grass the little kids play on at recess, or take dogs to baseball games, football games, you name it.
We have some neighbors who think they're too special to use leashes for their dogs, but most people do. Most people clean up after their dogs too. The exception to that is Dog Beach in Ocean Beach. Last year the City Council threatened to close it to dogs if the owners didn't start picking up after their dogs. The city provides little baggies on the beach and in all our parks so there's no excuse. Now we're getting dog parks in residential neighborhoods where dogs can run without a leash. This is good, but I hope people pick up.
My pet peeve is people who insist on taking dogs to sports events at schools. In California, it's against the law to take dogs on to school grounds, except service dogs, of course. And yet, you see them everywhere. People just let them run off the leash on the grass the little kids play on at recess, or take dogs to baseball games, football games, you name it.
Oct 10th, 2006, 04:16 AM
#9
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,422
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have a dog who gets very defensively aggressive when strange dogs come up to her. I hate it when I take her for a walk and and other dogs not on leashes run up to her. The other dogs' owners' always say..."don't worry he(she) is friendly!" That may be true, but my dog might not be! These are on trails with signs stating that "all dogs must be leashed."
I really have to limit my walks with her to times I think there won't be a lot of other dogs out and about.
In defense of Pit Bulls, I am a Vet Tech and all the Pit Bulls I have to deal with at the clinic where I work have been absolute dolls. I would rather deal with a pit bull than a chihuahua any day! The statistics prove that a little dog is more likely to bite, it just doesn't get reported as often.
Letting any dog run loose, no matter what the size or breed, anywhere but their own yard or a designated dog park is just asking for trouble!
Lily
I really have to limit my walks with her to times I think there won't be a lot of other dogs out and about.
In defense of Pit Bulls, I am a Vet Tech and all the Pit Bulls I have to deal with at the clinic where I work have been absolute dolls. I would rather deal with a pit bull than a chihuahua any day! The statistics prove that a little dog is more likely to bite, it just doesn't get reported as often.
Letting any dog run loose, no matter what the size or breed, anywhere but their own yard or a designated dog park is just asking for trouble!
Lily
Oct 10th, 2006, 05:22 AM
#10
In Virginia it depends on the community laws so some towns allow unleashed dogs. Actually, this is TRAVEL related because too often unleashed dogs become separated from their families when they run off. It can also cause a problem when hiking with an unleashed dog because it can cause bear attacks. I, too, would rather work in our clinic on a pit bull than a chow, min pin, etc but I wouldn't want to encounter one on the street if I had a small child or dog. Their genetics predispose them to attacking defenseless things and their jaws are designed to kill.
Oct 10th, 2006, 05:48 AM
#11
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 57,890
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
No - amazingly enough laws vary tremendously - and are usually local only - not state laws. Here there are very strict leash laws, pooper scooper laws and any dog attacks are taken very seriously.
However, in some places, I believe Texas is one - each dog is given one free bite - that is no legal consequences until after a second attack. (Althogh I don;t suppose that precludes civil action.) Now obviously a small dog that nips at someone who is annoying it is one thing - but IMHO with large dogs there is no room for this type of leniency.
And in many places people are required to obtain obedience training for large dogs and/or certain breeds of dogs.
Also - home owners insurance policies differ. In some places if you own a certain breed of dog (pit bull, rottweiler etc) home owners insurance won't cover the dog's actions at all. In others they will cover them only if you can prove the dog has been properly obediance trained as a pet. I'm not aware of any home insurance that covers dogs trained as guard dogs.
I hope you have reported the attack to both the police and animal control - since the dog that attacked yours could just as easily attack others - or even a child. And I encourage you to require the dog's owners to pay for all of your dog's vet bills (sometimes only $ will make people realize the consequences of their actions).
(I have little sympathy since my childhood dog was charged by a doberman that some idiot was letting run loose in the park. We saved her only by my picking her up and my brother and I both defending all 3 of us with branches for about 10 minutes until police arrived and fired a shot at the dog. The owner was fined - but IMHO - the dog should have been euthanized - since who knows what it would have done if a small child had been with there.)
However, in some places, I believe Texas is one - each dog is given one free bite - that is no legal consequences until after a second attack. (Althogh I don;t suppose that precludes civil action.) Now obviously a small dog that nips at someone who is annoying it is one thing - but IMHO with large dogs there is no room for this type of leniency.
And in many places people are required to obtain obedience training for large dogs and/or certain breeds of dogs.
Also - home owners insurance policies differ. In some places if you own a certain breed of dog (pit bull, rottweiler etc) home owners insurance won't cover the dog's actions at all. In others they will cover them only if you can prove the dog has been properly obediance trained as a pet. I'm not aware of any home insurance that covers dogs trained as guard dogs.
I hope you have reported the attack to both the police and animal control - since the dog that attacked yours could just as easily attack others - or even a child. And I encourage you to require the dog's owners to pay for all of your dog's vet bills (sometimes only $ will make people realize the consequences of their actions).
(I have little sympathy since my childhood dog was charged by a doberman that some idiot was letting run loose in the park. We saved her only by my picking her up and my brother and I both defending all 3 of us with branches for about 10 minutes until police arrived and fired a shot at the dog. The owner was fined - but IMHO - the dog should have been euthanized - since who knows what it would have done if a small child had been with there.)
Oct 10th, 2006, 06:11 AM
#12
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,203
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Lynnejoe, I am so sorry about the injury to your baby!
I am currently completing the adoption process for a shelter dog. I get her this Saturday at 1pm
Anyway, I am obsessed with this topic.
In my neighborhood people are pretty good about leashes but I plan to take her with me just about everywhere and I do worry about loose dogs.
I ended up getting a Border Collie because I am interested in agility and sport training. We have no dog parks around here, so I will have to find a large field to practice. This puts me in a position where the dog will need to be off the leash. I don't plan to do this for quite a few months, but eventually I will. Since I live in a rural area it will be easy to find a field, maybe even a fenced one.
Many people in my neighborhood leave their dogs off the leash in the front yard. The dogs are good but I say no dog is 100% trustworthy. Another dog, a cat, a squirrel, a mouse, etc... could cause the dog to bolt right into the street.
We have bought a tie out stake and when we are out washing the car or working in the yard, our dog will be with us, but on the tie out.
I am rambling... but I am scared of other dogs, regardless of the size running loose.
I am currently completing the adoption process for a shelter dog. I get her this Saturday at 1pm
Anyway, I am obsessed with this topic.
In my neighborhood people are pretty good about leashes but I plan to take her with me just about everywhere and I do worry about loose dogs.
I ended up getting a Border Collie because I am interested in agility and sport training. We have no dog parks around here, so I will have to find a large field to practice. This puts me in a position where the dog will need to be off the leash. I don't plan to do this for quite a few months, but eventually I will. Since I live in a rural area it will be easy to find a field, maybe even a fenced one.
Many people in my neighborhood leave their dogs off the leash in the front yard. The dogs are good but I say no dog is 100% trustworthy. Another dog, a cat, a squirrel, a mouse, etc... could cause the dog to bolt right into the street.
We have bought a tie out stake and when we are out washing the car or working in the yard, our dog will be with us, but on the tie out.
I am rambling... but I am scared of other dogs, regardless of the size running loose.
Oct 10th, 2006, 06:14 AM
#13
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,203
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Oh... NY... I was bit by a dog in Garland Tx. One tooth penetrated my leg and left a 1/2 inch puncture wound. It was his first bite. He was taken by animal control and put down by the city after he was held for observation.
The owner was held 100% liable for my medical expenses too.
So in Garland Texas I don't think there is a "One Free Bite" policy.
The owner was held 100% liable for my medical expenses too.
So in Garland Texas I don't think there is a "One Free Bite" policy.
Oct 10th, 2006, 06:20 AM
#14
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 17,226
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My country dogs are only on leash to go to the vet (from the car to vet's door). In many rural areas there are no leash laws. I checked my county's regulations last night and no leashes are required while the dog is on private property. Working dogs (farm and hunting) are allowed off leash off property as long as they are "under control" - in other words, voice command. I don't know of a dog in a two mile radius who are on leash, except to walk with owner along the road for exercise. City dogs who come to visit are often on leash until they get used to the dogs and new environment. A friend's dog is coming out to the country this weekend to enjoy running free in the country. Leash laws vary widely from state to state and within a state.
Oct 10th, 2006, 06:27 AM
#15
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 5,340
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
After getting charged by a rottweiler while on a walk, I now carry pepper spray. Fortunately, I knew to stand still. It made me sick to think what would have happened if it was a small child in my place. I love dogs, but I have had it with irresponsible owners.
Oct 10th, 2006, 06:33 AM
#16
Guest
Posts: n/a
We have leash laws here that are heavily enforced. Especially on the beach.
lynnejoel, I think this is a situation where you should consider suing. Just because it might make other dog owners reconsider letting Fido off his leash.
Normally, I'm not litigious.
lynnejoel, I think this is a situation where you should consider suing. Just because it might make other dog owners reconsider letting Fido off his leash.
Normally, I'm not litigious.
Oct 10th, 2006, 06:37 AM
#18
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 17,226
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
http://personal-injury.lawyers.com/d...Bite-FAQs.html
I googled to find this info. It may be helpful/interesting.
I googled to find this info. It may be helpful/interesting.
Oct 10th, 2006, 06:54 AM
#19
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,203
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
What kind of pepper spray works best for this purpose?
I have heard of postal carriers using trigger spray bottles filled with amonnia (sp) for aggressive dogs.
It may seem cruel to some of you, but I will protect myself and my dog from some loose, aggressive dog!
***
I can't even believe I forgot about this... when I was young, maybe 35 years ago, my dad and I were walking our poodle. My Dad had just had knee surgery and was using crutches to help him walk. I had the poodle on a leash.
A loose, large Gernam shepherd bolted straight for the poodle and grabbed her like a rag doll, by the abdomen.
He ripped her belly open and her 'innards' were spilling out.
My Dad got one of those crutches and busted it over that dogs head. My Dad is a strong, athletic man.
That blow killed that dog.
We scooped up Tina and rushed her to the vet. She survived. It looked worse than it was, evidently.
I cannot recall how my parents dealt with the owners. There was bad blood between our families and my Dad suspected they let the dog out on purpose, to scare us. They were drugged out biker freaks and my Dad was military... as a kid they reminded me of the Manson family! And it was a good neighborhood!
Problem is, every neighborhood has someone like that... someone who ruins it for others.
I have heard of postal carriers using trigger spray bottles filled with amonnia (sp) for aggressive dogs.
It may seem cruel to some of you, but I will protect myself and my dog from some loose, aggressive dog!
***
I can't even believe I forgot about this... when I was young, maybe 35 years ago, my dad and I were walking our poodle. My Dad had just had knee surgery and was using crutches to help him walk. I had the poodle on a leash.
A loose, large Gernam shepherd bolted straight for the poodle and grabbed her like a rag doll, by the abdomen.
He ripped her belly open and her 'innards' were spilling out.
My Dad got one of those crutches and busted it over that dogs head. My Dad is a strong, athletic man.
That blow killed that dog.
We scooped up Tina and rushed her to the vet. She survived. It looked worse than it was, evidently.
I cannot recall how my parents dealt with the owners. There was bad blood between our families and my Dad suspected they let the dog out on purpose, to scare us. They were drugged out biker freaks and my Dad was military... as a kid they reminded me of the Manson family! And it was a good neighborhood!
Problem is, every neighborhood has someone like that... someone who ruins it for others.
Oct 10th, 2006, 06:59 AM
#20
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 20,199
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'm sorry about your dog, lynnejoe.
Leash laws fall under "quality of life" laws in my village.
I'll never forget the day, when I was 8 months pregnant, when a neighborhood dog lunged towards me while I was heading to my car. I was horrified, jumping on to the hood and then roof of my car, screaming for help! The neighbor thought it was funny - jerk.
Leash laws fall under "quality of life" laws in my village.
I'll never forget the day, when I was 8 months pregnant, when a neighborhood dog lunged towards me while I was heading to my car. I was horrified, jumping on to the hood and then roof of my car, screaming for help! The neighbor thought it was funny - jerk.
