Why are people so ANGRY and Combative here?

[chef.sunny22]

My point is why have rules when you can't or have no intention of enforcing them? Not just in this park, but in many I have been to all over.

I realize they don't have the staff, but the honor system is not going to prevent dog attacks.

It's up to the owners to respect everyone and not assume their dog is going to be playful and nice all the time or that I should feel like a jerk because I am trying to avoid a situation others are instigating.

Again, I apologize. It's not just Albany, but in many areas where this is an issue.

[Becca8377]

Originally Posted by chef.sunny22

My point is why have rules when you can't or have no intention of enforcing them? Not just in this park, but in many I have been to all over.

I realize they don't have the staff, but the honor system is not going to prevent dog attacks.

It's up to the owners to respect everyone and not assume their dog is going to be playful and nice all the time or that I should feel like a jerk because I am trying to avoid a situation others are instigating.

Again, I apologize. It's not just Albany, but in many areas where this is an issue.

They can only enforce the rules if they see an off-leash dog or are called by someone reporting it. How on earth would they know at all times where the unleashed dogs are hanging out?

I have 3 dogs myself, so trust me, I understand. It's an issue with irresponsible owners and is just not location-specific. When I was in college in FL, there was an off-leash dog running around campus (and this wasn't the first time he had been seen roaming around campus). I had a leash in my car, so I went to try to get him. He led me back to his house (they lived around the corner) where the owner's neighbor flipped out at me for trying to help their dog. The town had leash laws, so I reported it to animal control. Never once saw that dog around campus again.

Stopped at the dog park the other day with one of my dogs (suburb of Syracuse). Only stayed for not even 10min because this couple had a dog that was harassing all the others and they refused to control it. So everyone else, myself included, left.

Some people are just clueless when it comes to dog ownership and responsibilities.

[chef.sunny22]

It happened AGAIN today. It's the only place nearby we can take the dog and while walking these 2 woman had 3 dogs between them OFF LEASH. 2 came bounding up to our dog, who my husband was walking and trying to pull away.

The one girl walks VERY slowly up to her dog and slowly leashes it. The other girl does the same for dog #2 and I don't know what happened to dog #3.

[Becca8377]

Originally Posted by chef.sunny22

It happened AGAIN today. It's the only place nearby we can take the dog and while walking these 2 woman had 3 dogs between them OFF LEASH. 2 came bounding up to our dog, who my husband was walking and trying to pull away.

The one girl walks VERY slowly up to her dog and slowly leashes it. The other girl does the same for dog #2 and I don't know what happened to dog #3.

Did you call animal control to report it?

[ja1myn]

What's the reason why you can't move?

[DauntlessDan]

Some people are just clueless when it comes to dog ownership and responsibilities

Becca8377 I feel your pain. My wife and I live in a large complex of houses (several hundred acres) and take walks in the morning. We meet other people walking with their dogs and for the most part they are good about having them leashed. However there is one house in particular that the owner will let their dog out in the AM on the lawn off the leash. If it spots us it will follow us barking even coming across and up the road. The owner will just stand in his doorway and yell for it to come back. As far as animal control goes, it is a private complex. I understand what you say about people not being responsible for their pets. When I worked at a Veterans Hospital in upstate NY people from town would walk or drive there just to let their dogs have a place to poop. Can you believe that!!! Like it was the town's or their own private park.

[JanND]

Originally Posted by annerk

While I don't condone their behavior, I think you need to take some responsibility yourself. You know your dog doesn't get along with other dogs, you should put a muzzle on it. And before you get into an uproar, one of my dogs hated most other dogs and I knew it. I muzzled her when I took her off my property.

This is a good suggestion. As dog owners we are responsible for our dogs actions. Since you know your dog is "other dog" aggressive, you are the one responsible to take precautions. Maybe even walking your dog somewhere less populated if you find other people so hard to deal with. Our dogs sense our feelings and often react to our own feelings...give it some thought. Continue to report those you encounter w/ off leash dogs. Also, have you thought of taking pics, and then the enforcement officers would have more ability to track the owners down??

[groar]

keeping your dog on a leash isn't a "precaution", it's the law in most places.

that being said, it's true you can't expect people to follow those laws and sometimes if you have a dog who is reactive to other dogs you have to make a compromise to keep your dog, and other dogs, safe, and find a place to walk where you can be reasonably sure you won't run into off leash dogs. i do think you should call and report dogs illegally off leash. it's incredibly irresponsible.

i don't condone the use of muzzles except in the most extreme cases. they generally make things worse in the long run.