Just got attacked by a *domestic* dog, that was walking without the leash, while I waswalking my dog.
Some man was walking a large dog without a leash, in a darkness. The dog saw me and my dog and ran towards us. My dog started barking (he`s from the shelter, a very nervous boy), and the other dog started biting him. Thying to protect him from injuries, I got bitten a several times before the ovner came and pulled his animal away (and I need to say that he wasn`t hurrying to stop it at all, neither he apologised).
Walking the dog without a leash/on a long leash is ILLEGAL and UNSAFEunless it`s a special dog park or playground! Please don`t do this, even if your dog is small or never acted agressive, because you can never be sure what might happen:
- Any dog can get scared of the loud sound, run onto a road and get hit by a car
- Small dog can still act agressive and trigger larger dogs, that can hurt a smaller animal without even using teeth or claws: a hit with a paw can be enough to traumatise a small dog
- People, especially kids, may try to interact with a dog walking without a leash and hurt it or scare and get hurt back
- Someone can steal a small dog walking without a leash
- Even a friendly dog that never attacked anyone might get stressed out and suddenly attack other animals or their owners
- A friendly dog might run towards someone else`s dog with an intention to play, but that dog might get scared and attack your dog instead of making friends with it.
So please, even if you are sure that your dog is peaceful - do not play Russian Roulette with your, your dog`s and your surrounding`s safety! Nobody needs all the mess with the courts, medical insurance and euthanasing dogs. Be a responsible dog owner!