|
Go
 |
New
|
Find
|
Notify
|
Tools
|
Reply
|
 |
I know people love there dogs like kids. That’s wonderful. When in public dog owners have a responsibility to their fellow citizens. I’m sure you think your dog is friendly, and it may very well be the nicest, sweetest dog in the world but out in public I have only your word on the matter. Even if your dog is super-nice I still don’t want it near me. Petaluma has leash laws- dog owners please observe them. Petaluma has parks and areas specifically designated as off-leash. Please use them. At all other times keep your dog on a leash and under your control. I don’t want to hit your dog with my car, wreck on my bike, be chased by your dog or even approached by your dog. Nothing personal, I just don’t want to be bothered by your dog. That is not only perfectly reasonable but I’d venture a right I have.
However, sometimes a leash is not enough. Large dogs cannot be controlled by an owner if the dog has decided it wants to run after something. I’ve see 10 year olds walking Great Danes. A dog like that bolts and not many could control it. Recently my wife and 2 year old son were in McNear Park. A golden retriever, on a leash, jumped up and bit a child on the back as he ran past. The animal drew blood. It was the victim’s nanny’s dog. I’m sure it was the friendliest dog in the world. Even the friendliest dogs get spooked. When around many screaming, running, small children the likelihood of an incident increases dramatically. The worst part about this event- it is 100% preventable. I think all dogs over say 20 lbs. should be muzzled when in a park with a play structure. That is a perfectly reasonable measure to guarantee the safety of children. Leashes are great but usually the point of taking a dog to a park is to let the dog run around. A loose dog is really not my favorite but if muzzled it is just a nuisance not a much of a danger. |
||
|
I get it, I get it! You don't like dogs! I'll stop myself at this point. |
||||
|
maybe you should stay inside your cave. and i don't own any animals.
|
||||
|
Yeah, I have to agree with whippis on this one. And I'm a dog lover. I was at McNear yesterday where a dog was left hanging out in the crowded play area with kids. Seemed like a very nice dog, but these things can become unpedictable. This dog was ON the play structure, in the sandbox, and at times left on leash with what looked like a three year old. Just because no one says anything (we don't want to look like jerks) doesn't mean we are comfortable with your dog hanging out with our kids. Just have some courtesy please. Again, I love dogs.
|
||||
|
That has got to be the most ridiculous proposal I've ever heard. I walk a 45 lb dog along with a 75 lb dog and there is no reason they need to be muzzled. I also walk another 50 lb dog and at times I have 90 lb dog with them. 4 dogs total over 20 lbs. How do I do this? Because I take control over the pack. I spend time working with my dogs on a daily basis, not just when I feel like it. Your problem, Whippis, is not with the dog or his size, but with the owner, whether you choose to acknowledge it or not.
I've had more problems with with carpet cruisers under 15 lbs running up and harassing my dogs than larger breeds. Off leash dogs of any size are a nuisance. And I'm tired of the "It's ok, he won't bite" response being yelled to me from across the street. If you don't think a little dog like that can do any damage to a lager breed dog, I'd be happy to show you the scars on my 45 lb dogs belly and legs from the 15 lb Jack Russel Terrier that attacked her. And some of you call a Pit Bull vicious... The bottom line is, owners need to train and control their dogs. In the cases you've brought up, the dogs are the pack leader and no leash will matter because the dog owns the owner. I do agree those incidents were 100% preventable as are the majority of any attack or bite, on or off leash. "Your Muzzle all dogs over 20 lbs" idea is flawed. I'd like to know why you suggest 20 lbs over 50 lbs or even 15 lbs? Where is the logic? How did you come to your theory resulting in 20 lbs and up? You're muzzle proposal is nothing more than a warm fuzzy, a band-aid and does nothing more than give people a false sense of security. |
||||
|
That and dogs don't belong in the play structure area anyway. If it's not posted, suggest that idea to the city council or Animal Services Advisory Committee.
|
||||
|
|
|
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Bully Defender:
You're muzzle proposal is nothing more than a warm fuzzy, a band-aid and does nothing more than give people a false sense of security. [QUOTE] Bottom line- a muzzled dog may annoy or scratch but cannot bite. No doubt, no question, no risk. You think small dogs are dangerous- fine muzzle them as well. Owners are 100% to blame everytime but if the dog is muzzled while around other people the odds of all but a minor incident are reduced as close to zero as possible. Is that really such an issue whem trying to prevent kids from being bitten? When I see off leash dogs in in public areas I call animal control. The dog I mentioned above was picked up- don't know if it was put down. We have limited resources; animal control & the police have better things to do. A muzzle law makes things simple. Some owners apperenly trust their dogs too much, do not control them and do not respect others enough to leash them or keep them away in the first place. Is is going to take a serious mauling to get a common sense solution? |
|||
|
That, is your bottom line. And what exactly is it that Animal Services is doing other than to respond to bites, off leash dogs or any other related incident? That IS their job and it doesn't take up any more resources. Adding something as asinine as a muzzle law on dogs by weight only adds to the burden because they've got to enforce it. What about a 19.5 lb dog? Will Cops and Animal Services officers carry scales? |
||||
|
|
|
Fine, then muzzle all dogs in public. I would rather animal control respond to unmuzzled dogs and cite the owners than having them have to respond to a bite or an attack. The reality is they respond fast to an incident and slow to an off-leash report. If the public sentiment is such that we want dogs muzzled in parks then they may take the potential danger more seriously. Protect the public and enforce responsible ownership. If you don't want to muzzle your dog simply take it to a place where they can run free. Otherwise respect your fellow citizen by removing nearly any danger and muzzle your dog. It not really that big a deal to protect people.
Yes, it is unfortunate that a few bad owners would require such a step but as a parent who spends a good deal of time in the park it is not so much to ask. As seemingly friendly dogs coming charging up to my 2 year old I cannot assume they are friendly. It only takes one friendly dog to nip at his hand as he tries to 'pet' him. If the dog is muzzled I can rest assured that the worst that can happen is a big dog might inadvertently knock my son over- not so big a deal. Imagine the time I trust the owner who says- "he's just really friendly" as the dog clamps down on my kid's arm. Can't happen? Happens everyday. And it’s never “your” dog always some “bad owner’s.” Do you really want to risk ‘your’ dog being put down because he bite some kid at the park who was just trying to pet him? Don’t get me started on the apartment building near McNear which advertizes itself as “pitbull friendly” Nothing against the bred but a good percentage of the people attracted pitbulls are the worst of ‘bad owners’ Dogs like that which have a tendency towards aggression need a very vigilant owner. Once set off I don’t know of many people, leash or no leash, who could stop them. Muzzled- no danger. Problem solved. |
|||
|
Please whippis, you're not making any sense there at all. Now lets muzzle all dogs because the minority of people may have a dog that will nip or bite. You're putting the cart before the horse.
Again, the muzzle is a band-aid effect. It doesn't do anything except penalize responsible dog owners. My dogs are walked daily, well socialized and many merchants and locals downtown know my dogs well. Imagine having to explain to the children who see them, pet them and play with them daily why they need to wear a muzzle when they've done nothing wrong. A muzzle doesn't fix the problem owner. I would love to see your study and the statistics on how dogs "clamp down" on the arms of children daily. Seriously, you toss out statistics and comments with such bias, it seems clear to me you don't have a dog, and probably never had one growing up. I tend to agree with Petaluma Observer that maybe you just don't like dogs. I wonder if you've brought this idea to Animal Services or to the Animal Services Advisory Committee? My bet is they're not going to "bite". |
||||
|
|
|
I have no interest in reforming bad dog owners (except as a side effect). What I want is as close to a guarnatee that your dog will not bite my child. You seem to keep missing that point. It is not a judgement against your dogs inparticular. I don't know you or your dogs. I would think as a dog owner the last thing you would want to risk is your dog if by some chance it say- bites my kid while trying to snatch food from his hand. I in fact do not want a band-aid, exactly the opposite. I want prevention. It is irrelvent if I have, had, like, or dislike dogs. Why anyone whould object to trying to prevent inadvertant dog bites is beyond me. Please offer some solution to the issue of loose or uncontrolled dogs in playgrounds. We have spoken to the police, animal control and the mayor. Yes, people can still ignore the rule and yes we'd still have to call animal control. But it's a start and a small thing to ask to keep children from being bitten. My son is now freaked out after seen that little boy bitten on the back. That's bad PR for dogs. The reality is (unfortunately) that one bad act outweighs thousands of good ones. I bet those store owners wouldn't be so keen on your dogs if they realized they are lible should a dog bite someone on their premisis. They may be fine with that risk. I am not. If people absoluting must bring their dogs to the park when other people are keep them under control. If they are muzzled they can be of leash. Would you prefer and out right ban on dogs in parks? I wouldn't. So elminate the danger and muzzle your dog or keep it out. Simple.
|
|||
|
I have to agree with Bully, you are attempting to control the masses. One bad apple ruins the bunch theory.
I am more worried about the drivers using their cell phones, the drunk drivers, people who do not control their own car. I know it is a bit off subject. But if you are going to muzzle every dog because it may bite your child, then why don't you get rid of every car because it may kill your child! Yes, I am over reacting with the comparison, but you see my point. On that, you could stop guns, cigarettes, alcohol, etc.. etc.. there are a lot more things that hurts kids on a daily basis than dogs. AND, they are all "100% preventable." Don't punish the masses for the idiots! |
||||
|
I am not missing the point as you've not made
a single valid one that I, or anyone else for that matter, should muzzle our dogs that have no record of biting anyone. As far as your son being "freaked out" over what happened, that's your issue as a parent. It's up to you to teach your child how to behave around dogs instead of filling him up with fear and prejudice that could turn into hatred for dogs. Your kid could take anything from my dogs mouths, and I'm sure any number of dog owners who respond to this topic will tell you the same and it would be the truth. Prevention lies with the owner of said dog. A muzzle is no guarantee as a dog can get one off if he really wants to. And if that muzzled dog is off leash as you proposed it could be, then you've got another problem. There is a leash law in Petaluma, and that's plenty. It's there for all dogs no matter the size. And if my dogs were attacked by an unmuzzled dog they would have no defense. One bad act does not outweigh the good. I do not see walking my dogs on leash as any sort of risk. As far as your dog ownership (or lack of) being irrelevant, it is quite relevant as you obviously know nothing about them or their behavior and how that behavior is directly related to the person who has raised the dog or training that person has invested in. Petaluma Animal Services offers classes in obedience and are there to assist owners in better handling their dogs. I'd like to give you, or anyone else, the opportunity to meet my dogs and then tell me why they need a muzzle. I am quite serious and not being facetious or attempting to belittle you, but maybe a better understanding on K9 behavior might help you. A muzzle or leash does no good when the owner can't, or wont, take control of their dog(s). It begins with training and socialization. And a whole lot of common sense. Unfortunately, you've come across with those who lack all of the above. There will be no muzzle law in Petaluma for dogs who do no harm. Petaluma doesn't punish responsible dogs owners. |
||||
|
|
|
Speak for yourself.
Closing the barn door after the cows have left is exactly what I wish to prevent.
Watching is friend being bitten by the victim's nanny's leashed dog is what freaked him out. He had been petting the dog moments before and was assured it was "friendly"
You may be willing to bet your dogs life and your life savings on that but I am not willing to risk my child's safety.
Indeed. I don't expect the dog to but the muzzle on himself, nor remind his owner to do so.
Yes and while he tries to take it off we'll all just walk away. In the meantime he won't bite.
Not it isn't- even on leash dogs can be an issue as the event in McNear demonstrates. God luck trying to restrain even a medium sized dog while on a leash. My parents (very well trained hunting) German Short Hair Pointer tug the leash out of my hand while jogging so it could point at an injuried pigeon. It weighs about 45 Lbs. The leash was over my wrist and around my hand- nearly pulled me off my feet.
So then dog attacks are a concern to you?
I said outweighs, I meant overshadows.
The risk is to other people. There feeling at risk in not up to you. Nor do you have the right to put them at risk. walk your daogs all you like. If you take them into a park where kids are and put a muzzle on them.
Hope you're not an attorney. I grew up with three dogs (wire hair fox terrier, Airdale and a weird short hair mix named Daisy). My whole family have dogs- Scottish terriers, the aforementioned german short hair, a weimerarner, a pitpull and abnormally large
No guarantee that a dog won't bite and no requirment that people take the class if they own a dog- wanna mandate that?
Sounds great- gunna wager your home that none of you dogs will ever bite anyone? Vegas will give you better odds.
True, but an unconrolled muzzled dog can;t do much damage.
Could not agree more. But for all I know you're one of them.
You're right. It should be a one strike situation.
Muzzleing is not punishment- it is prevention. Like wearing a helmet or a seatbelt. Not 100% but it helps. And gives your dog freedom to move about unleashed in the park. |
|||
|
A muzzle does not prevent an attack. My concern is whether or not that dog is on a leash.
Most shelters and rescue groups reqire owners take classes before adopting certain breeds.
Oh really? I can look up a story that would definitely open your eyes. Interested?
Exactly! Dog bites, muzzled in public! That's the only thing you've said that makes sense! Your son could ride my biggest dog like a horse and use his ears as reins. Take food and toys and he's going to give it up. Same with my female. You've got some deeper problem and it won't be solved with a muzzle, and until you get over whatever it is, you pass that onto your own children and they develop the same pattern of thinking. I do hope however you follow your own suggestion and muzzle your next dog. |
||||
|
| Powered by Social Strata | Page 1 2 3 |
 | Please Wait. Your request is being processed... |
|
|