Evening everyone, I'm posting this while still in a bit of shock.
I've just got back from a walk with my dog, a one-year-old Akita Inu. I was walking him around my housing estate, which has plenty of green space. My dog was, of course, on his lead. Then I saw another dog (a Spitz, weighing about 22 lbs I'd say) charging at us aggressively, and obviously it wasn't on a lead. In the blink of an eye, mine fought back and, given the weight difference, I was absolutely terrified when I heard the Spitz yelping in my dog's mouth. The Spitz's owner arrived after the dust had settled—it was a child, who was just as frightened (at least as much as I was) by what had just happened. The Spitz didn't seem to have any serious injuries, but I was really shaken. The child's father then turned up and explained that most of the dogs in the estate are let off their leads.
The question I'm asking myself is, who is at fault:
-Walking a dog off-lead?
-Not muzzling a dog (even if it's not a restricted breed)?
If, god forbid, the Spitz had been hurt, would it be my fault? I suspect so, but what am I risking? And what would happen to my dog?!
Thanks in advance.
Translated from French
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Yeah, a muzzle definitely makes them look like a dangerous dog, we’re in agreement there then. I promise you, people around here actually ask first—they must be well-trained in my neck of the woods! Only joking, of course!
I’m telling you Tania, sometimes you’ve barely got time to say "no, I’d rather you didn’t" or "yes, go ahead" before they’ve already got their hands on them!!!
Akitas look just like teddy bears, so everyone, young and old alike, just wants to run their hands through their fur!!..
Anyway, I just don't get it. The first thing I always ask—and that I make the kids ask—is "can I stroke him?"..
I’m not quite sure what you mean, Ryxen? People usually ask before they stroke them—well, at least the people I run into don't just dive in and try to pet my wolfdogs without asking first.
No, what I mean is that the dog goes from being a "cute dog you’d want to cuddle" to a "dangerous dog you should stay away from". It just goes to show that people really do judge a book by its cover...
I’m not quite sure what you mean, Ryxen? People usually ask before they stroke them; at least the people I come across don’t just try to stroke my Czechoslovakian Wolfdogs straight away without asking first.
Personally, I’d be in favour of taking it with you when you’re out for a walk and only putting it on if another dog shows up, though that might be a bit tricky to manage...
Tania, if the dog’s usual behaviour is aggressive then a muzzle is advisable as it keeps everyone else safe, but if he doesn’t have an aggressive temperament then I’m not really a fan. Having said that, as a precaution, it might be a good idea to get one and keep it in your pocket just in case there’s any trouble while out on walks. It’s always better to be safe than sorry, as running into problems could—depending on how things pan out—end up costing the animal dearly, even if it wasn’t his fault to begin with.
I have to disagree with you there. People will just think, "Oh look, he’s wearing a muzzle, he must be an aggressive dog," when that’s not the case at all!
It really saddens me to see this. At the moment, everyone (including children) stops for the dog and says, "Oh, isn’t he lovely? He’s so friendly, he just wants a fuss." Now it’ll be, "Stay away from that dog, son, he’s dangerous"!!
It’s just so sad.
