Editor:
Many times I have read letters to the editor where fellow dog owners and not have voiced their concerns with dogs off leash in leash-only parks. I have agreed and disagreed with some, but always felt compassion for either side.
As a dog owner of several over the last 10 years, I have also let mine off leash on the odd occasion when there has been no one in the park. Add one more letter to the pile on the editor's desk.
In a designated leashed park I found myself in a similar situation to many. I was taking a nice afternoon walk with mine, which were leashed, when I saw two dogs in the field off lead. One of the owners was close to their dog, however the other wasn't.
As one of my dogs can be reactive and not so friendly some of the time, I'd decided to make my walk a short one and leave the park at the next exit. On days where the park is busy, I avoid it altogether, but on this day it was far from busy and as two dogs were free I opted to take the next way out.
Unfortunately, the one dog whose owner was furthest away tending to a child charged at us from the field at the sound of one of mine barking. if you know anything about canines, not all of them particularly like being charged at or want to play with others they have never met. Some require controlled and slow introductions.
The owner called for hers without success, and we were being circled by a dog that was clearly reacting to my dogs' issues, all the while we were trying to get out of the park as quickly as possible.
In the chaos in trying to leave, my dog's hind leg was bitten.
After several expletives with the woman when I told her that her dog should be leashed in this particular park, I was told that I had the problem with not being able to control my aggressive dog. That I had no right being in a public park with my leashed dog if she behaves that way.
It is appalling to me that his woman turned it back on me when it was her dog that was off-leash that she clearly couldn't control, when all I was doing was trying to leave the area. Then I was told to go phone the corporation and given the finger.
I must apologize for my response, which was calling her a "witch" before she walked away. However I only apologize because it was in front of her children that it was said.
Emotions can get the best of us, and I am sorry for not being a more composed adult, but I was more concerned with the wound to my dog's leg that does require treatment. She did not ask if my dog, or me for that matter, was OK when she clearly saw it happen as I recall hearing her scream after her dog. All I got was the finger.
We and our furry family all need to co-exist in our community, and I'm glad there are areas for dogs to run free. All I ask is that if you are in a leashed park, and you choose to give Rover a bit of a run, please be considerate of other dogs that come into the park that are leashed.
There may be a reason they are not at that designated off-leash park. Consider that their background may not have been as easy as your dog's, or frankly just not be too friendly if not introduced properly. Some may be overly protective or are threatened to being charged at.
While you think your dog is not aggressive, they all have the potential to be in different circumstances. They may not always behave the way you want them to, or be the perfect pup, but it's our job as their humans to keep them and others they come into contact with safe.
Take some responsibility, and if you're in the wrong, even partially, own it.
As for the woman I had words with, if you're reading this, I truly hope that your dog didn't incur any injury. Mine will be spending the morning with our vet.
S. Phillips
