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Do you know where your dog is?
By Gina Spadafori
January 8, 2007
When I was growing up, free-roaming dogs were much more common than they are now. On our street, there was always one neighbor who let his dog out to do his business on someone else’s lawn. And from the kitchen window of my gram’s house, she could watch the daily dump of two German shorthaired pointers who lived around the corner. When my grandfather was alive, he once peppered the visiting dogs (same neighbor, but two different hunting dogs) with birdshot. My grandmother always thought — and rightly so — that he was shooting at the wrong target.
I guess because I would never think to allow my dogs to run loose for their own safety I’m astonished when anyone else does. But ask any runner or bicyclist and you’ll hear plenty about dogs who chase — and sometimes bite — people who are just out getting their exercise. This QandA from Runner’s World is surely just the tip of the iceberg:
Q. My neighbor lets his dog loose, and it runs behind me. What’s the best way to make sure the dog stays at home? — Brooke H., Blacklick, Ohio
A. The way I see it, you should be able to run on roads, sidewalks, or beaches without feeling inconvenienced, uncomfortable, or threatened by canines. And I think you’re being awfully considerate by not chewing the owner out like he’s a Milk-Bone. Since you want to maintain a nice relationship, bring it up like this: Tell your neighbor that you noticed Zeus is out on the road a lot, and the other day a car got awfully close, and you just don’t want him to get hurt, that’s all. The owner will most likely know the real reason you spoke up, and if he’s a good person, he’ll make changes.
Honestly? That’s giving the owner way too much credit. No “good person” lets his dog run loose, and the chowderheads who do won’t care much what the neighbors think.
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I think about this almost every day while I walk my dog. The neighbors down the street always let one of their three dogs lose in the street, always the same one, at all hours. I always wonder why they do that to this one dog and not the other two. We live on such a busy road, right by the high school, that I cringe at what could happen to the dog, with all the cars and kids running around all the time! I’ve actually taken the dog back to her house several times, but I’m thinking next time I’m taking it to the shelter.
Comment by Ana — January 8, 2007 @ 11:15 am
Heya Gina - when we were kids, we had a mixed breed my Mom just let out the front door. We’d say “Kelly, wanna go Bye Bye”? And out he’d go. And he wasn’t neutered. And we’d laugh about all of the “Kelly pups” we’d see around the neighborhood. You are right - it’s WAY different now.
I am also a runner, and sometimes I run w/ my dogs and I also walk them very day. I have to carry a stun gun now as my Cheeko was attacked on more than one occassion while on walks with us. It sucks. I was even on the news 2 years ago after it happened, telling people to be responsible dog owners and don’t let your dog run loose.
Thanks for a great blog.
Comment by Judi — January 9, 2007 @ 8:51 am
Just today I had to run home to grab some things I forgot and there on the side of the road was a dead dog. A fairly large white fluffy guy, a Samoyed or Pyranees type guy. He did have a collar with an tag and when I called his family were frantically searching for him. They are good owners whose dog getting out was just an accident and oh did I hate making that phone call. I felt so bad for them losing their dog like that, and it makes me work all the harder to make sure my dogs are safe and sound behind good fencing or on leash. On the other hand, up my road is a young couple that believes that living int he country allows them the right to let their dog run loose. Well it’s a fear aggressive dog and you can imagine how fun that is. One day it will wander too far or in the wrong place and do the wrong thing and end up paying for his owners’ irresponsibility.
Comment by Alison — January 9, 2007 @ 5:58 pm