Encountering an unleashed dog in a public place can be pretty scary, especially if you don’t know the dog. Yet, some dog owners believe that leash rules do not apply to them because their dog is “nice” or “listens when I call them.” And, for some, having a dog off leash is an advertisement for their ability to “control” their dog.
What happens when the dog’s instincts kick in and they want to chase prey? What happens if the prey is a small child or dog?
Leash regulations exist for a number of reasons, most obviously safety. Dogs who accompany their people on leashes are less likely to get lost. While leashed, you can stop your dog from chasing after another animal or wandering off. The ASPCA reports that 14% of dogs will become lost in their lifetime, with a 93% recovery rate. Sadly, the other 7% are gone from their owners forever.
Dogs running unleashed are also at risk of being hit by cars.
According to Pet Playgrounds, 1.2 million dogs are hit each year in the U.S. While not all of the accidents are due to unleashed dogs, leashed dogs are at little to no risk of injury or death from a vehicle. Loose dogs running into the street can cause auto accidents without being injured, too, as it’s our natural instinct to swerve away from objects in the road.
There are a host of dangers on the ground, and leashes can help control what your dog may eat or drink. Carcasses, rotten food and animal excrement are all on the menu. Puddles of rainwater may be contaminated with chemicals or parasites. In the least, these snacks can cause digestive upset, with the worst-case scenario being severe gastroenteritis resulting in a very expensive veterinary visit.
I know this is shocking, but not everyone likes dogs, and some are afraid of them. Even if your dog is friendly, he may scare someone when approaching them off leash. If people are very afraid of your unleashed dog in public, they may even spray your dog with mace or throw objects at him.
Additionally, if your dog does happen to bite someone, you may be in store for a lawsuit. According to the CDC, 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs each year in the United States. While most bites occur at home, 10-12% of these bites are from stray dogs. This translates to an estimated 540,000 thousand people bitten by stray dogs in the U.S. each year.
Be cautious if you choose to use a retractable leash. They can be unsafe in most situations, and they are not suitable for all dogs, as they give you much less control. For humans, these leashes have been responsible for cuts, burns and falls. For dogs, they’ve been known to cause tracheal, neck and spinal injuries. Dogs can run the length of the 16- or 20-foot leash at full speed and be jerked to a sudden, choking stop when the leash ends. The only places a retractable leash should be used is in an open area, away from other dogs and people, and with a dog that is trained to stop when you call him.
There are more reasons to keep your dog on a leash than not. But, if you choose to allow off-leash time, please be aware of any safety risks and make sure your dog has identification. A final note of warning: You could wind up with a hefty fine if you are breaking leash laws.