Originally Posted by
kevin_stevens
You do not comprehend what is being said. YOU may know your dog. STRANGERS do not know your dog. It is not reasonable to EXPECT strangers to know your dog. It is not reasonable to burden strangers in public spaces with the RESPONSIBILITY of stopping and approaching every loose dog they encounter in the way that particular dog accepts being approached. That's why the law places that RESPONSIBILITY on the dog owner to control the animal.
The law also does not permit you to "protect my dog to the same degree as myself or any other member of my family". The law considers that a dog is not a person. It is, for almost all purposes, property. You can dislike that truth, but if you ignore it in your actions, you will be guilty of criminal assault charges at best.
I love dogs. I trained dogs for years in obedience, competition, agility, shutzhund, and correcting behavioral problems. I worked with Canine Companions for Independence in their puppy fostering/training program - for free. I am not afraid of dogs.
Your perspective of the "protective dog owner" is unfortunately accurate. There are a lot of dog owners that refuse to take responsibility for controlling, training, and supervising their animals, yet react violently when their "family" is menaced as a direct result of their failure. I can point them out to you virtually on sight at any novice obedience orientation. It's rather alarming.
KeS
No, actually the only failure to comprehend here is those who fail to comprehend that the law does not "allow" or "permit" much of anything. All the law really does is provide a range of penalty for
infractions. The lawman generally shows up after the fact, writes up reports, and maybe issue citations and/or makes arrests. But, the damage has already been done. Probably nothing a doctor and/or dentist can not sort out.
Other than that, you are just about spot on. I can no more expect you to know and understand animals than either of us can expect automobile drivers to know and understand bicycle regulations. Around here most still think that bicyclists should be on the sidewalk. My original intention was simply to present the fact that abusing animals could be hazardous to your health. I was using myself as an example when I probably should have presented it from the bicyclist's perspective instead. I both ride a bicycle and own a dog. If I ever catch me kicking my dog, I will have to hurt me........
