Is it legal....?

Question

I have a dobermon and he is very trained. when ever we go walking my dad sometimes lets him of the leash. he doesnt run or anything he just walks beside us. but every now and then the police partrol ride around. ever time they do i get nervous... is it legal to walk a controled dog with out a leash?
p.s i live in america

Answer 1

We have leash laws almost everywhere in the country.

Will your dog stay with you if a rabbit runs by or if I am walking by with my dogs? If not, he needs to be on a leash. I HATE it when strange dogs come up to my dogs when we are out walking, you have no idea if my dogs are friendly, and one is NOT. I carry pepper spray and will spray any dog who does not back off, it is my responsibility to protect MY dogs.

If your unleashed dog gets into a fight (even if he was not the aggresser) with a leashed dog, you will be legally responsible for any Vet bills. And if the other dogs owner should get her hand into the fight to break it up and get bit, they wil probably put your dog down.

I have been teaching obedience classes for 25 years, and have gotten many titles, but my dogs are still all ONLEAD! Yours should be too!



Ginger - "And to MJ, you ought to know that there are other ways to protect yourself and your dogs without the use of pepper spray."

It is not my responsibility to worry about someone elses out of control, aggressive dog. I will defend my own by any means neccessary. Charging dogs have always backed down from me, but if they won't, I am prepared. LOL! What SHOULD I do, drop the charging dog???

Ginger - "And if you have all those titles, I assume in obedience, then why wouldn't you trust your dogs off-leash?"

I do trust some of MINE, when we are working, but I CERTAINLY don't trust some nasty dog on the street. If some dog attacks my dogs on the street and mine are onlead, at least I have some control of the situation.

I believe that onlead means onlead, why would it be ok for some to allow their dogs to be loose, and not for others. If some are allowed you will have everyone who thinks they have voice control allowing their dogs offlead.

What is the likelyhood that someone on here has a dog that is at the level yours is, or is even at a CD or CDX level? I see owners that think their dogs are under voice control DAILY on our walks, they are usually screaming frantically as their dog charges us.

BTW - not everyone has an easy breed like Goldens either.


Ginger - "if you know about AKC Obedience, that means we do the heel in competition, which the dog walks right beside me no matter the distraction, stops and goes when I do.
Just thought you would like to know."

LOL! Ya, thanks for the info.

Answer 2

Most places have leash laws. Did you know that most places also have seat belt laws? My point here is that there are laws that go un-checked all the time. My dog, Miss Ginger, goes off her leash most of the time. We walk along PCH and the pier and she is always off-leash. No one ever says anything because she just walks next to me. I say if she stays next to you and you keep a close hand next to her, just in case that temptation arises, you should be fine with it.
Most cops driving around would not stop you because you have a dog off the leash. They don't really care!
A nosey neighbor might ask you about it, but who are they?

I am glad to see someone else with a wonderfully behaved, mild-mannered dog who CAN walk off leash. Most dogs cannot even walk properly ON a leash.
Congrats and have fun:)

And to MJ, you ought to know that there are other ways to protect yourself and your dogs without the use of pepper spray. That can make a dog go blind and cause terrible pain. I think that is a terrible choice, and I question your knowledge in these cases because reputable trainers know better than to harm another dog while trying to protect themselves.
And if you have all those titles, I assume in obedience, then why wouldn't you trust your dogs off-leash?
Miss Ginger has her UDX30 and OTCH3, and if you know about AKC Obedience, that means we do the heel in competition, which the dog walks right beside me no matter the distraction, stops and goes when I do.
Just thought you would like to know.

Answer 3

It doesnt matter if it is legal, it is irresponsible. Whether you know your dog will not do anything or not, you dont want your dog running off chasing a rabbit and and getting hit by a car, or even biting a stranger. That would be a horrible lawsuit and could put your dog in jeopardy. Dogs do well on leashes since you are given the control as their master. Besides, literally EVERYWHERE in the US has a leash law, so I am almost positive it is illegal.

Answer 4

In most cities there are leash laws you would need to check with animal control where you live to see if one exists. The purpose of the leash law is so that you have control of your dog at all times. I do not care what some of the... er People here say but even the best trained dogs have their mishaps.
BTW: Ch. OTCH I guess with all your vast knowledge in dogs you knew that all dogs are not easily subdued. Not all dogs can be stopped by the same method, some need a firmer hand. I guess you think: better a human to get hurt then to spray a dog with pepper spray. Get over yourself you are not the expert you claim to be. Vet tech for 8yrs and a Dog trainer/behavioralist for 12 years. YEAH RIGHT, you are only 22yrs old.

Answer 5

When you take him out for a walk leave her on a leash..i'm serious.I'f he's fixed and everything if not, and let him of the leash he or may not bite someone.My parents told me that.ALSO,if you live in a big or small town keep him on THE LEASH! Or else you will get a ticket. If you have a license to keep the dog of leash you can..If not you can get a ticket up to $50-$100 !

Answer 6

The dog park here has off-leash hours. If the dogs are off-leash after 9 a.m., we get tickets ($100/dog). As a bonus, we also get screamed at, so I avoid this. If your dad is worried about getting a ticket, he should ask the cops - most cities have laws about this. Put the dog on a leash before approaching them....Good luck!

Answer 7

It depends..... This summer we were walking a friends dog in the woods and someone stopped and told us that it was illegal to walk the dog without a leash right then. Just like rottweilers, Dobbermans CAN be dangerous if not trained well, maybe they are just nervous about that. And i think you should check it out, maybe it is illegal where you live, and maybe people are just nervous. Good luck!

Answer 8

In a way yes because even though he is trained its in still required by law that all dogs are on a leash.

Answer 9

Haha I love how you added "I live in America"

Anywho, it shouldn't be legal if your there and the dog isn't wandering off. You have your eye on the dog. So why should it matter. Then again, I'm not so sure about the rules in America, as I do live in Canada!

But, let the dog run free at a greenbelt or something. But, don't get nervous about the cops. Hopefully they have better things to do with there life then pulling over and chatting to you about your dog. (Like "Terrorist")

Answer 10

Leash laws are a local issue. You would have to ask animal control in your comunity.
I once recieved a citation because the dog was holding the end of the lead in his mouth instead of me having hold of it. (beat it in court)