April 1, 2009Reader question / input request From the blog: Scary dogs
I tried your recent PowerPhrase yesterday when a dog owner told me his dog was friendly. I asked, “how would I know that?” He snapped back “Because I told you.” How frustrating. Next time I’ll use a statement instead of a question – something like “well your dog’s not acting friendly”.
This is a BIG issue for me because I live near a beach where dogs aren’t even allowed, in a city which requires dogs to always be on leash, yet they run free and scare me regularly. I’d appreciate any more ideas you have.
Meryl responds
Readers? I’d like your help on this one. My inclination is to think this man knows he’s in the wrong and so he’s resorting to bully tactics. If that’s true, courtesy and reason won’t work. Only power will.
If his dog is free illegally, you actually have the power in this situation. Carry a camera and take pictures of the dogs that scare you. Say,
- Dogs are illegal here. I don’t mind dogs that are well-mannered, but I do object to dogs that intimidate. If you won’t control your dog, I will report it.
I don’t know if that will work, but it seems worth checking. Readers, please help.
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If that man is as agressive as his dog, please think twice about the camera. The man will protect his dog. I remember it got ugly years ago in the Boulder parks with people videotaping doggies and owners who didn’t pick up after them. I think they got sued. However, there’s a lady near my house that does that and it’s a real deterrant. Word got around.
You thought of what to say, but it was later. That happens to me, too! Now, you will have even more tools in your verbal toolbelt.
Wait there’s more. Carry pepperspray. I predict you will never have to use it, but you will have the aura of power (bullies sense this).
Comment by Susan — April 2, 2009 @ 10:01 pm
I agree with Susan’s comments regarding being wary of using a camera. We have had a ‘run-in’ with a man in our local park who was so aggressive that we simply had to walk away while he was still shouting at us and all we said was “you should have your dog on a lead if he is dangerous”. This was after he said to us – as we were approaching – to watch out for his dog as he had attacked other dogs before! he wasn’t on a lead! And he was a huge pig-hunting dog. After this experience it is obvious that to confront this particular owner was a dangerous thing to do. We watched which street he walked home towards and thought about reporting him.
If the law states that dogs MUST be on a lead in a particular area I think anyone has the right to report dangerous dogs without warning the owner. There have been too many devastating dog attacks on children recently that it should be everyone’s responsibility to ensure the areas in which children play are safe for them. Dog leash laws are usually in place in areas that children play or in the case of beaches – sometimes beach habitats are being protected. If dog owners want their dogs to run free – they should find a remote spot or ‘leash-free’ area. We own a small friendly spaniel and this is what we do.
In this readers case – if the beach clearly has signs saying dogs are not allowed – i would report it. I would note the type of dog, description of the owner, time of day they are walking the dog and even the street they live on if you know it – and report them. I don’t think confronting dog owners is the best option – people are highly emotional about their dogs (and usually know they are doing the wrong thing when unleashing them)!
Comment by annelise — April 5, 2009 @ 5:30 pm
Wish I’d read this when it was first posted. Good luck reporting the dog violation. Depends on where you live probably. I have had to call in complaints about neighbors who leave their dogs unattended for entire days, and the dog barks the live long day. In my city, the police would come and confirm the dog was barking, but they would not take a complaint from me on the site, the way they would if someone broke into my home. I would have to go to the police department and file a formal complaint and gather all the information about the dog owner myself, and take the owner to court. So the city is glad to take the initiative when protecting my television from threat, but I’m on my own when my sanity is being threatened, even if the threat is illegal.
Comment by Kathleen — December 26, 2009 @ 2:26 pm