Twice in the last month, I’ve been charged by off-leash dogs, only to find out that the dogs really wanted to play. Not knowing their intentions, of course, I was terrified. In one case, I fell backward into the bushes. (Luckily, I didn’t hurt myself.)
Of course, it’s illegal to let dogs off leash, but you wouldn’t know that, judging from some people’s behavior and the lack of city and county enforcement.
I know it’s a pain to many to have their dog on a leash. It’s certainly an inconvenience. But it is the law, as well as common courtesy to those among us who don’t know your dog’s intentions. And kudos to the many people who do respect the law.
— Lou Lieb Asheville
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11 thoughts on “Letter: Listen up, dog owners”
NFB
“I know it’s a pain to many to have their dog on a leash. It’s certainly an inconvenience. But it is the law, as well as common courtesy to those among us who don’t know your dog’s intentions. ”
Common courtesy?
Unfortunately there is nothing common at all about courtesy these days, be it because of the fringe “I do what I want and screw the rest of you” right or the flaky “the dog has not given me permission to put a leash on him/er” left.
Jason
Why should your lack of understanding our dogs compel us to leash them? Wouldn’t commonsense tell you that if our dogs are unleashed it would certainly concluded they aren’t aggressive??? Do u leash your germ ridden kids…?
Bright
Yo Jason, take your anger elsewhere…and your dog, too. Have a great day!
Jason
Lol!!! Anger…. 🤣
BMacAVL
@Jason & @Blight…may I suggest you both learn to coexist…dogs and kids are not going anywhere anytime soon…being condescending to others with a different opinion of how to live life is puerile. “Now boys, stop fighting over which music player is better, Pandora and spotify both have commercials unless of coarse you pay for premium service!”(in my best 1st grade teacher voice)
jason
So, a dog off leash is automatically friendly? This is some stupid logic.
I also hate kids.
Jason
The likelihood that an owner of an aggressive dog leaving it off leash is unlikely….
How’s that for stupid logic…?
clayton moore
Jason
I recommend the Dazer 2 electronic dog zapper. Amazon 25 bucks. Puts out a high pitched sound that repels most dogs…pure bred dogs are sometimes too dumb to hear the zapping sound. Best part is the dawg owners do not know you are zapping their dog if the dazer is in your pocket. I carry one every time I go on the trail because many owners of dawgs are effete.
BMacAVL
@Lou, may we all invite you to brush up on your knowledge of the leach laws in Buncombe County. You may want to explain each situation better it you are truly looking for sympathy because you come off as supercilious for not owning a dog. Was the dog(s) off-leash in a right-of-way or public property(…unless you live in an apartment complex or mobile home park or some like area where outside areas are considered a “common area” or where it would otherwise be unreasonable to believe that your pet would remain while unrestrained and unsupervised)?
I didn’t grow up around dogs and have had several times while walking around my neighborhood when dogs have walked right up on me…above all, always, remain calm…put out the back of your hand for the animal to smell and in my experience once they have done so, most will leave you alone and move on. If you are worried while walking because this has happened a couple times on the same route, just take a different route. I see lots of folks walking around carrying large sticks for defense…if you need that as a comfort blanket then by all means…do so. All animals are unpredictable and you need to guard yourself and not simply “trust” others are looking out for you or me or even themselves. I’m sure you have heard “Common Sense, the other national defecate.” This statement rings more true then ever throughout this letter. Geez!
Leash law:
If your dog leaves your property it must be restrained on a leash. Fines for violating the leash ordinance range from $50.00-$100.00
Your dog may be unrestrained on your property unless you live in an apartment complex or mobile home park or some like area where outside areas are considered a “common area” or where it would otherwise be unreasonable to believe that your pet would remain while unrestrained and unsupervised.
Dogs may not be off-lead on right-of-ways, even if the location in question is on the owner’s own property.
G
Enforce the leash law at Richmond Hill disc golf course please.
The Ego Has Landed
And at Carrier Park. And pick up after your dogs. And before I get labeled anti dog; I have dogs but I follow the park rules that are in place for a reason.
If you think your dogs should run free; use the dog parks or invest in some land out in the country and have at it.
“I know it’s a pain to many to have their dog on a leash. It’s certainly an inconvenience. But it is the law, as well as common courtesy to those among us who don’t know your dog’s intentions. ”
Common courtesy?
Unfortunately there is nothing common at all about courtesy these days, be it because of the fringe “I do what I want and screw the rest of you” right or the flaky “the dog has not given me permission to put a leash on him/er” left.
Why should your lack of understanding our dogs compel us to leash them? Wouldn’t commonsense tell you that if our dogs are unleashed it would certainly concluded they aren’t aggressive??? Do u leash your germ ridden kids…?
Yo Jason, take your anger elsewhere…and your dog, too. Have a great day!
Lol!!! Anger…. 🤣
@Jason & @Blight…may I suggest you both learn to coexist…dogs and kids are not going anywhere anytime soon…being condescending to others with a different opinion of how to live life is puerile. “Now boys, stop fighting over which music player is better, Pandora and spotify both have commercials unless of coarse you pay for premium service!”(in my best 1st grade teacher voice)
So, a dog off leash is automatically friendly? This is some stupid logic.
I also hate kids.
The likelihood that an owner of an aggressive dog leaving it off leash is unlikely….
How’s that for stupid logic…?
Jason
I recommend the Dazer 2 electronic dog zapper. Amazon 25 bucks. Puts out a high pitched sound that repels most dogs…pure bred dogs are sometimes too dumb to hear the zapping sound. Best part is the dawg owners do not know you are zapping their dog if the dazer is in your pocket. I carry one every time I go on the trail because many owners of dawgs are effete.
@Lou, may we all invite you to brush up on your knowledge of the leach laws in Buncombe County. You may want to explain each situation better it you are truly looking for sympathy because you come off as supercilious for not owning a dog. Was the dog(s) off-leash in a right-of-way or public property(…unless you live in an apartment complex or mobile home park or some like area where outside areas are considered a “common area” or where it would otherwise be unreasonable to believe that your pet would remain while unrestrained and unsupervised)?
I didn’t grow up around dogs and have had several times while walking around my neighborhood when dogs have walked right up on me…above all, always, remain calm…put out the back of your hand for the animal to smell and in my experience once they have done so, most will leave you alone and move on. If you are worried while walking because this has happened a couple times on the same route, just take a different route. I see lots of folks walking around carrying large sticks for defense…if you need that as a comfort blanket then by all means…do so. All animals are unpredictable and you need to guard yourself and not simply “trust” others are looking out for you or me or even themselves. I’m sure you have heard “Common Sense, the other national defecate.” This statement rings more true then ever throughout this letter. Geez!
https://www.buncombecounty.org/governing/depts/sheriff/enforcementbureau/animalservices.aspx
Leash law:
If your dog leaves your property it must be restrained on a leash. Fines for violating the leash ordinance range from $50.00-$100.00
Your dog may be unrestrained on your property unless you live in an apartment complex or mobile home park or some like area where outside areas are considered a “common area” or where it would otherwise be unreasonable to believe that your pet would remain while unrestrained and unsupervised.
Dogs may not be off-lead on right-of-ways, even if the location in question is on the owner’s own property.
Enforce the leash law at Richmond Hill disc golf course please.
And at Carrier Park. And pick up after your dogs. And before I get labeled anti dog; I have dogs but I follow the park rules that are in place for a reason.
If you think your dogs should run free; use the dog parks or invest in some land out in the country and have at it.