Do unleashed dogs in public parks pose a threat to people there walking or jogging?

Question

Could they attack thinking their owners were endangered by other people close by? Many owners attest their dogs are friendly and love people but when they growl and bark when meeting others on trails, it is unnerving especially when they react by saying, he or she wouldn't hurt a fly.

Answer 1

In the U.S., apparently yes, since most dogs are horribly socialized. In many parts of Europe where leash laws are not common and dogs are allowed inside businesses and restaurants (yes folks, restaurants) dogs are used to being out in public AND behaving themselves.

Dogs that growl and bark when meeting people on trails are poorly trained and socialized, period. Dog enthusiasts and trainers all over the country can tell you about the cliche of an uncontrolled dog running up to you or your dog with the owner fifty feet behind yelling "He's friendly!" 9 out of 10 times, the dog is being incredibly rude, not friendly. 5 out of those 9, the dog is not being friendly at all, but the owner calls it "friendly" because the dog has never bitten anyone. They're also the same people that think a high wagging tail or staring means the dog is friendly, when really they're a sign of dominance and assertion of power. These are the owners that cause us to need leash laws in the first place.

Will the average dog attack a jogger in a dangerous manner when off-leash? No. Many dogs will chase a jogger and nip them though, and that's not acceptable behavior. It's a far cry from being mauled, but it's still not something a jogger should have to put up with. A jogger shouldn't have to deal with off-leash barking and growling dogs either. I wish we didn't need leash laws, because I will people would simply take responsibility for their dogs and control them appropriately.

Answer 2

No dog should be in public without being controlled by a leash. You cannot predict any animal's behavior, and there is always the chance that there could be a problem. Anyone that makes an excuse for their dog's reaction by saying that is won't bite is really deluded. If it has a mouth, it could bite, given the right circumstances.

Not to mention that leashes protect the animal too. You can control the potential for dog fights, and prevent the dog from running into the street or running away. Leashes are not cruel. We do not live in a world where our dogs are safe if left to their own devices, so they need to be restrained, when not in their yard.

Besides, it's just rude to allow your dog to bother other people. How do you know that the person wants to be sniffed, licked, growled or barked at?

Answer 3

Yes they do pose a threat and the walker or jogger should realize this and not try to jog or walk too closely to the dog or it's owner.
I take my dogs to the dog park daily where they are allowed off leash and several times I've had to yell at someone to stop,stand still and not look at or try to touch my dogs when they run wildly at the jogger barking viciously.
The joggers can see where they've done no harm.And I have to explain that all my dogs see is a stranger running up behind me and they're going to protect me from harm.
No matter how friendly the dog is they all watch our body language and react in one of 2 ways they either attack a threat or try to play.
It's everyones responsibility to be aware of a dog either on leash or off and not act foolishly around it.
I find it redicules with all the parks in my area for joggers to use the dog park and get mad at the dog owners for allowing their dogs to be off-leash.It IS unnerving to be attacked by a dog of any size.But if people would use a little common sense and act responsibly they'd not have any worries.
You need to be aware of the dogs presence and when you see one do not walk quickly swinging your arms back and forth,do not run,do not look the dog in the eye and do not try to talk to or touch the dog.These are all open challenges or signs of dominance and you have NO right to do either to anothers animal until you buy it.
So next time a dog nips at you on your way by it,you need to ask yourself what you've done to cause the dog to act in this manner.The dogs and their owners have just as much right to be in the park or on the trails as you.The dog owner has the responsibility to control the dog.But he/she has no responsibility to attempt control of you.You're gonna have to wake up and take responsibility for your own actions and start showing others some respect whether it be man or dog.

Answer 4

unleashed dogs shouldn't pose any threat to you in theory. but we all know that not everyone is responsible pet owners so they may have let their dogs that do pose a threat off leash. as for dogs on the trails most of the time the dogs aren't socialized enough so the get defensive because they are scared of you, reacting with what seems like threatning behaviour (and to us is) most dogs will not attack if you are near their owners unless your body language is perceived as threatning. so agian its up to the owners to make sure the dogs are well socialized in the ways of dog parks and trails. as for passers by, don't make eye contact with the dogs, turn your head away so in body language you are saying to the dog " i am not a threat" and politely ask the owners to keep their dog close.

Answer 5

It can pose a really huge threat. Though some dogs are very mild mannered and wouldn't hurt anyone,it is in a dogs natural instincts to protect itself and its owners.Any kind of sudden movements can easily and understandably startle a dog and cause it to attack.9 out of 10 times when this happens it is inevitably through the negligence of the owner,but it is always the dog who ends up paying for it-sometimes with its life.

Answer 6

Some dogs could be a danger, some arent it totally depends on the temperment of the animal. Most people have enough sense to not let loose a dangerous dog. A growling dog is not necessarily a dog that is about to attack. There are other signs...raised hackles, head and tail down, etc.

Answer 7

Yes, they pose a threat. Most places it is the law that a dog be on a leash no longer than 6 feet and under the control of an adult.

Answer 8

I hate people who do this.
No matter how they attest that the dog is "friendly" and "loves people". What a load of crap.
All dogs bite. It's what they do. I have two big dogs and they are Friendly, for the most part. And they haven't bitten anyone. YET.
They stay on a leash or in my fenced yard. They are good and they obey me. (most of the time) but it only takes one bite to ruin everything.

Answer 9

You know dog owners say "they wouldn't hurt a fly", but how do they really know that, especially if they are not around to see their behavior towards people when they aren't around? (Hope that makes sense) I think any dog's behavior can change. Dogs shouldn't be unleashed, especially with children around. Dogs around other dogs, well that is just animal instinct and people should be aware of that, dogs can be even more aggressive around other dogs.

Answer 10

Yes, people have been attacked by unleashed dogs. It is against the law in most places to have an unleashed dog in a public place.