Every have a day where someone needs slapped?- a rant

[Slide Panda]

Mines already logged as one of those.

I had been awake for 30 minutes, just enough time to dress, cram some cereal and get started to walk the dog. We're walking through my complex area which is a mix of little town houses and small garden type apartments. We are coming through one of the court yard when I hear the tick-tick-tcik and jingle of a dog rapidly descending some stairs.

Two medium dogs appear, with no leash or person in evidence. I'd seen them before when walking by on other occasions. Seems their owner is just too lazy to take them for a walk, and lets them run out side. When I'd seen it before, they had run out, TCB and run back up the stairs. But on this previous occasion, I was 30-40 feet away. This morning we were basically at the landing of the stair to their place when she let them out.

One of the dogs simply did it's biz and ran back up. The other decided it needed to investigate us.

There was a bit of sniffing all seemed to go well - I signaled my dog that it was time to go. He started to turn away, and the other dog jumps him.

I've got his leash in one hand trying to draw him off, while attempting to deflect the attacker. That lasted about no time as the attacker just spun to a different angle, which happened to be a prime one for me to give it a swift kick. Not happy about having to kick that dog, but I really didn't have many options. Mercifully, that got the point across and the aggressor reconsidered.

Finally, a few seconds after the squabble is over the owner lady appears... and doesn't even say anything to me until a not so subtle hint of,
'So are you going to apologize or make the beast with two backsing say sorry?' - I really just wanted to smack her stupid head....

At that point I was offered a rather lame apology, and decided to move off since her dog still wasn't under control, and I don't trust her to be smart enough to carry on breathing at this moment... Part of me would loved to give her a dressing down in the courtyard - but doggy came first.  I checked him over and he doesn't seems to have suffered for it - though he'll get a 2nd look over this evening as well.

If you've got a dog, take care of it... Don't be lazy a let it run out of your apartment for 15 seconds a day. And when you *know* there's tons of otehr dogs that live in the area, don't be so damn stupid as to let yours run out totally un supervised.

Lazy and stupid pisses me off

</rant>

[DesmoDiva]

Hopefully, your pup's okay. 

Sounds like you need to write a cordial letter of compliant to your landlord/condo board to inform them of this tenants lack of responsiblitily for her dogs.  

Her behavior (loose dogs) is a major liability to them.  

[Slide Panda]

He seems fine - he's tough, but getting older and was disadvantage since I had him on a short lead. So I'll be giving him another solid going over later.

Well, I'm not of a mind to get the association involved. There's a grey area that a number of us owners operate under - since our dogs are social, mannered and observed, where we'll have a bit of play time in one of the larger courtyards. I'd hate to bring ruin upon a good thing for the dogs and the peoples, just because of one lazy idiot. I'd rather not let one bad apple spoil it, yah know?

[duccarlos]

I let my dog out to do her business at night in the back. If I let her go through the front, then I'll supervise, but usually without the leash. She's not aggressive, but is very playful. I usually look out the window to make sure no one is out. I'm not condoning the behavior, in fact, if you have an aggressive dog, it should always be on a leash.

[DesmoDiva]

I'd rather not let one bad apple spoil it, yah know?

You're looking at the situation wrong.

You're are not the bad apple; she is....

[duccarlos]

Just kick the dog every time you see it. That will solve the issue right up.

[Slide Panda]

You're looking at the situation wrong.

You're are not the bad apple; she is....

I meant her... I know my shit don't stink  

I let my dog out to do her business at night in the back. If I let her go through the front, then I'll supervise, but usually without the leash. She's not aggressive, but is very playful. I usually look out the window to make sure no one is out. I'm not condoning the behavior, in fact, if you have an aggressive dog, it should always be on a leash.

Well, there's no back to this ladys place. It's a 2nd floor apartment. And from the top of the stair leading to it, you don't have a good field of vision so someone could very easily be 5' from the landing, or under it that one could not see. And, there was no supervision... so it's all bad.

[duccarlos]

Better yet, next time kick the owner.

[psycledelic]

That is a pretty messed up situation.  I see your point with not wanting ruin something for the people that care for their dogs.  But, from your description, the other dog's owner didn't get the message that her lack of responsibilty caused the incident.  Might be worth going back and talking to her.  Doubt it will do much, but maybe it will make her a little more aware.  As is, that sounds like it could happen again.

Some people just don't deserve to have pets.  Hope your dog is OK!

[Slide Panda]

That is a pretty messed up situation.  I see your point with not wanting ruin something for the people that care for their dogs.  But, from your description, the other dog's owner didn't get the message that her lack of responsibilty caused the incident.  Might be worth going back and talking to her.  Doubt it will do much, but maybe it will make her a little more aware.  As is, that sounds like it could happen again.

Some people just don't deserve to have pets.  Hope your dog is OK!

I might opt for a note... I'm a lot a stressed right now and would probably head into the yelling and expletive laced portion of my vocab rather quickly. It'd take one hint of an excuse at this moment for me get very sour at her.

Trying to be a grown up sucks...

[Howie]

Glad your dog is OK.

You would be complaining about her dogs that were pooping wherever and not6 being monitored.  Be clear about that, and you are not complaining about the rest of the doggy population.

[angler]

I have a dog that doesn't like most other dogs, particularly when she is on a short lead.  I run into this problem frequently, to the point where I have to be very careful where I walk her.  I'm constantly greeted by people with dogs off leash who cannot control their dog.  I can control my dog, but if an unknown dog comes up to her and sticks its nose up her ass there will be blood.  I hate to be that all leash all the time guy because I have had dogs that didn't need a leash.  I am not bothered by the off leash dog that stops or returns to the owner when I let them know my dog is antisocial (for lack of a better term).

That said, I have had some pretty heated discussion with folks regarding their pets.  I always start by asking them to control or leash their dog, as politely as I can given how far the interaction has progressed.  I can't tell you how many times I have people respond by saying "Oh its OK, my dog won't hurt a fly - they just want to play."  It is hard to convey that a leash on their dog is for their dog's protection.  Certainly not for my dog's protection as I am pretty sure she would eat anything she wanted or die trying.

Hopefully your day gets better.  If you can talk to the woman again, maybe appealing to the safety of her dogs will get her attention.

[teddy037.2]

Glad your dog is OK.

You would be complaining about her dogs that were pooping wherever and not6 being monitored.  Be clear about that, and you are not complaining about the rest of the doggy population.

+1

an anonymous complaint would 'ruin it for everyone'... like, filing a complaint about poop in the area. since you know which owner isn't playing nicely, let the rain come down on her.

[Slide Panda]

Well, the local association has a knee jerk history - so I have trepidations about engaging them.

Also the local dog laws a bit knee jerky too. I don't want anything bad to befall the dogs because she's just lazy.

The safety angle's a smart one - good way to approach it.

[RB]

I might opt for a note... I'm a lot a stressed right now and would probably head into the yelling and expletive laced portion of my vocab rather quickly. It'd take one hint of an excuse at this moment for me get very sour at her.

Trying to be a grown up sucks...

Yuu,
Sorry to hear about your encounter. Send her a note that your dog is going to the vet, to get checked out, and you expect her to pay for the visit for not leashing her dog....really some BS. If she gets a bill for your vet in the mail, she may think twice next time.
Honestly, people are complete asses, they will not take a hint or care that they are being irresponsible....it usually takes blunt words and attitude to let them know you aren't fvcking around. I personally hate getting to that point, but people don't get it....we all must share this little world we live in.

RB