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OK, I admit it. I'm afraid of dogs. But I'm a walker and I really don't want to give it up. How can I learn the various leash laws for the towns and counties in the RT? I've been unsuccessful Googling for this information. Also, I'm seeking a home on at least an acre in the $250K to $400K range. Preferably in a neighborhood where I can take a 30 minute walk without fearing for my life, and within 3 miles of a decent grocery store. Please refrain form trying to tell me how to behave around dogs. This fear is just something you can't pretend away, and dogs know it. Thanks for any help here!
It is against the law for domesticated animals such as dogs and cats to run unrestrained within the City Limits. They must be confined to their guardian's property or walked on a leash. Guardians of dogs and cats can receive a misdemeanor citation for allowing their pets to run at large.
As far as I know other Triangle communities have pretty similar laws. Now whether pet owners follow these is an entirely different discussion.
It is against the law for domesticated animals such as dogs and cats to run unrestrained within the City Limits. They must be confined to their guardian's property or walked on a leash. Guardians of dogs and cats can receive a misdemeanor citation for allowing their pets to run at large.
Unfortunately, there are many that don't think the law applies to them. One of mine has fear based aggression, so I try to walk her in places where we probably won't run into other dogs. Unfortunately, that seems to be where most let their dog(s) go off-leash. Some are apologetic, but others have the attitude that I am being a pain when I ask them to leash their dog.
OK, I admit it. I'm afraid of dogs. But I'm a walker and I really don't want to give it up. How can I learn the various leash laws for the towns and counties in the RT? I've been unsuccessful Googling for this information. Also, I'm seeking a home on at least an acre in the $250K to $400K range. Preferably in a neighborhood where I can take a 30 minute walk without fearing for my life, and within 3 miles of a decent grocery store. Please refrain form trying to tell me how to behave around dogs. This fear is just something you can't pretend away, and dogs know it. Thanks for any help here!
There are tons of dogs in this area...so get used to that idea right off the bat.....and while you are scared, your life is not in danger. That being said, I often walk the trails in Wake Forest and always saw the dogs on a leash....it's been very rare to see one off leash expect at the dog park.
Also, I'm seeking a home on at least an acre in the $250K to $400K range. Preferably in a neighborhood where I can take a 30 minute walk without fearing for my life, and within 3 miles of a decent grocery store.
Homes on an acre in that prices range will be out in rural areas. Unfortunately those will also be the areas where you will be most likely to find free-ranging dogs. If you have to walk in theses areas, I'd suggest carrying a deterrent like an ammonia and water-loaded squirt gun.
Otherwise, I'd suggest sticking with the urban areas where you would be protected by leash laws. Recognize that your fear of dogs places you in the minority.
There is a leash law in Cary but that does not stop idiots from letting their dogs run off leash. I see it ALL the time even though everyone SWEARS they never do it. (Just like they SWEAR they always pick up their dog poop, yet it's all over the sidewalks wherever I walk!). I've seen it at Davis Drive park twice in the last week (with TONS of kids running around!!!), Umstead Park and yesterday in a neighborhood.
There are tons of dogs in this area...so get used to that idea right off the bat.....and while you are scared, your life is not in danger. That being said, I often walk the trails in Wake Forest and always saw the dogs on a leash....it's been very rare to see one off leash expect at the dog park.
Bad answer and bad advice. But OP asked us specifically not to address how to deal with it.
THere are leash laws, and people ignore them all the time. I don't know what to tell OP, other than going to the more populous parks to walk is the best bet to NOT run into unleashed dogs, but even then, people think the laws don't apply to them.
Don6170, I feel for you too. This is exactly one of the reasons that even a friendly, non-aggressive dog should be leashed. Friendly dog, off leash, comes to say hi to your dog, who is on leash. Your dog reacts, and unleashed dog owner is clueless that it is 100% THEIR FAULT.
I was on the greenway several days this week and every one of them, I either ran into unleashed dogs, or in one case, a dog on a retractable, held by a young child, while it attacked another dog on leash.
I'm a dog lover, but irresponsible owners ruin it for everyone.
Perhaps advice on good parks and trails for walking alone would be helpful if I can't walk out my own front door as an option. I'm trying to orient my final home choice to the Durham area. But that's not in stone. If I could be a short hop to a good solution for a solo stroll that would be my second choice.
I love dogs, but after my own dog was attacked by an off leash dog a few years ago, I want to avoid off-leash dogs too.
Basically there's a leash law everywhere (dunno about more rural areas) - and there's always some jerk who feels it doesn't apply to him/her. But here are some places I've had really good luck so far -
--Nature trail at NC botanical garden in Chapel Hill
--Hemlock Bluffs trails in Cary
--Occoneechee Mt. trails in Hillsborough (but I think I just got lucky)
The first two seem somewhat monitored, which leads to people maybe being reluctant to break the rules.
My two favorite parks are Eno River State Park and Umstead Park - I have seen off leash dogs at both - in fact the experience at Eno has stopped me from distance hiking with my dog. We were just too far in and that can't happen again. BUT - I still go to both and stay to the more heavily populated trails.
You will see dogs on leash at any of these places, but more responsible owners will move aside for you.
I'm not a huge HOA fan but this is one case where I would tell you to maybe look for a very strict HOA - perhaps there is less chance of loose dogs running around? I don't really know if that's true - I know my very loose HOA couldn't care less.
You can check out most statutes online. Or, I would contact a local police department or stop in the library.
Beyond that, make sure your new neighbors don't have dogs if that's an issue for you. I live next door to some people (read my thread on the ladder situation) and they have a big dog. I'm not afraid of dogs, but their dog is constantly running into my yard and got in my house a few times. I have two elementary aged children so it's kind of annoying because the dog is bigger than my six year old. So, keep in mind, it's not just avoiding them in public, but possibly your home or yard.
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