Re: /dogs

["Tracey" <tracey@tbt.co.za>]

Hi.  It's a tough one because I live in a rural area, where, as a rule, dogs
are friendly.  Any and all dogs are welcome on my property if they are
friendly.  The same goes for taking your dog out : if it can't behave, have
it on a leash, if it can, don't worry.


As I said, I had tried to lock my dogs inside, because I know these dogs
roam the neighbourhood, and its something which irks me because the ONLY
reason they are locked up when I ride is because of these dogs : the rest of
the dogs in the neighbourhood are great - in fact one or two of them join up
with us when we ride out.

I had warned the owner on more than one occasion that his dogs were a hazard
(they also go for the horses) and he had promised to keep them locked up.
The day before this happened, my vet actually ran over his dog, which was in
the road, fracturing his pelvis, so you'd think the owner would be more
careful.  He offered to pay my vet's bill, so I thought that he'd have
learned, but yesterday, guess what : all three dogs (and these are BIG,
MEAN, dogs) were out AGAIN and AGAIN they tried to go for the horses.  The
owners were out - we rang the bell, and they'd gone out for the day.


I can't shoot the dogs.  It is not there fault they are untrained.  It is
the owner's responsibility to ensure that they are not a danger to
themselves or others.

As for the leash thing, Mags would have been killed had she been on  leash.
The only thing which saved her was the fact that she was quick enough to run
away, and they couldn't catch her.  A leash when you're out walking is a
good idea.  On horseback, you're too far removed from the dog, and it's too
easy for the leash to get tangled around horses' legs in a panic.


At the end of the day, my time with my dogs has been shortened due to the
fact that this owner shows complete disregard for the fact that other people
use the roads and the veld around the properties to spend time with their
animals.  His never get taken out for walks or anything, they are just
allowed out willy-nilly, with no supervision.


-----Original Message-----
From: Kenzie_Kelly@spc.com <Kenzie_Kelly@spc.com>
To: ridecamp@endurance.net <ridecamp@endurance.net>
Date: Friday, May 26, 2000 7:23 PM
Subject: RC: /dogs


>
>
><<You need to think of this as your quest for a safer country when you ride
>with your dogs.  Just think - the next victim attacked could be a child , a
>service dog, etc.  Get a chance to shoot those vicious killer dogs & you'll
>be a hero and you'll get to enjoy that sweet feeling of revenge PLUS you
>will make the world a safer place for us all.  Feeling better yet?
>
><snip> Lif>>
>
>
>     Hi Lif,
>
>     I hate to prolong one of those ridecamp no-no topics like dogs, but I
>     can't seem to help myself.  :)  I sure hope her dog was on a leash, or
>     it doesn't fall into that making a safer country category for me.  I
>     don't take my dog on trail rides with me because of this. When I hike
>     at a public park with him one of my biggest peeves are dogs off-leash.
>      If you can't leash, or contain, LEAVE THEM AT HOME.
>
>     My dog is very well behaved with people - loves them in fact.  And he
>     will play all day with nicely behaved dogs.  But he really doesn't
>     play well with others as far as unruly dogs are concerned.  He has
>     never started a fight, but he has finished a few.  All of his fights
>     have occurred because the other dogs were off-leash.  When a fight
>     breaks out, I can pull my dog back for miles, and the other dog will
>     follow us.  Owners generally stand dumbfounded as I get more and more
>     frustrated.  It has gotten in the past to where I don't want to take
>     him anywhere for fear of off-leash dogs.  That's the saddest part to
>     me.  We are responsible, but the few that aren't ruin the experience
>     and pleasure of being outdoors on a sunny summer day.
>
>     This is why leash laws were created.  Now, I know some of you are
>     going to say that you ride in a remote area and feel safer with your
>     dog with you, and if that area is on your own property, then fine.
>     But if you are in a public space, and you don't have your dog under
>     direct control, then you are not being responsible, IMHO.  Same goes
>     for people who allow their dogs to roam the neighborhood.
>
>     Even small dogs.  Smaller dogs are cute, but they can be just as
>     annoying when they run up to you uninvited.
>
>     That doesn't excuse the fact that her dog was attacked by roaming
>     dogs.  Someone should say something to the owners, and depending on
>     the laws in that area they could be responsible for the vet bill.  If
>     there is a leash law in that county, and all dogs were running free,
>     then no one will be found at fault.  If the rider had her dog on a
>     leash, then the roaming dog owners would be completely liable.
>
>     Kenzie (flame suit on) & Tiger (but I really like to go)
>     Birmingham, AL
>     http://kenzie_k.tripod.com/tiger.html
>
>
>
>
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