# Vicious Dogs might escape leashes **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [February 2, 2014, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vicious-dogs-might-escape-leashes/680323 "2014-02-02T00:16:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![LibrarySpy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f9ae1b/32.png) [@LibrarySpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LibrarySpy)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2014, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vicious-dogs-might-escape-leashes/680323/41 "2014-02-02T02:56:05Z")
> [@Jacques Chitte](#): > > HAS A DOG EVER GOT LOOSE FROM ITS LEASH??? Never. Not once in the history of mankind. Also, you’re wrong about Stephen Crane. Which is not surprising. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2014, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vicious-dogs-might-escape-leashes/680323/42 "2014-02-02T02:59:26Z")
Dude. It’s simple. If you’re attacked by a dog, defend yourself. If you’re scared by a dog, call the cops. Anything else that happens, just live with it. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2014, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vicious-dogs-might-escape-leashes/680323/43 "2014-02-02T03:04:01Z")
> [@Jacques\_Chitte](#): > > STEPHEN CRANE WROTE EXCLUSIVELY IN PRINTED CAPITAL LETTERS > > He wrote great poetry; > > one of the most famous novels/novellas about the Civil War (The Red Badge of Courage) > > and two of the greatest American short stories > > (“Open Boat” and “The Blue Hotel”) Stephen Crane died of tuberculosis in a Black Forest sanatorium at the age of 28. > [@](#): > > HAS A DOG EVER GOT LOOSE FROM ITS LEASH??? Yes. Perhaps you should stay in the house. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2014, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vicious-dogs-might-escape-leashes/680323/44 "2014-02-02T03:05:43Z")
Get help. Christ. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2014, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vicious-dogs-might-escape-leashes/680323/45 "2014-02-02T03:06:14Z")
> [@Jacques\_Chitte](#): > > STEPHEN CRANE WROTE EXCLUSIVELY IN PRINTED CAPITAL LETTERS [Guess again.](http://p2.la-img.com/393/10584/2481071_1_l.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2014, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vicious-dogs-might-escape-leashes/680323/46 "2014-02-02T03:16:29Z")
> [@Jacques\_Chitte](#): > > STEPHEN CRANE WROTE EXCLUSIVELY IN PRINTED CAPITAL LETTERS > > He wrote great poetry; > > one of the most famous novels/novellas about the Civil War (The Red Badge of Courage) > > and two of the greatest American short stories > > (“Open Boat” and “The Blue Hotel”) > HAS A DOG EVER GOT LOOSE FROM ITS LEASH??? You’re no Stephen Crane. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2014, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vicious-dogs-might-escape-leashes/680323/47 "2014-02-02T03:19:39Z")
Can’t believe nobody else noticed this: the OP owns a street? If he owns a street, the solution is quite simple: post “no trespassing” signs all over it and then seek legal action against trespassers even if said trespassers aren’t canine-encumbered. Oh, OP: A [word](http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/paragraph?s=t) of advice for you. **Guinastasia** is correct. ---
**Author:** ![Truman\_Burbank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecc23a/32.png) [@Truman\_Burbank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Truman_Burbank)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2014, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vicious-dogs-might-escape-leashes/680323/48 "2014-02-02T03:23:24Z")
Not even _Bob_ Crane… ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2014, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vicious-dogs-might-escape-leashes/680323/49 "2014-02-02T03:23:37Z")
OP, you’re a fucking troll, and not even an entertaining one. Go away. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2014, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vicious-dogs-might-escape-leashes/680323/50 "2014-02-02T03:28:57Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > You’re no Stephen Crane. _Maybe_ Bob Crane. Maybe. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2014, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vicious-dogs-might-escape-leashes/680323/51 "2014-02-02T03:58:16Z")
Ah yes, another “I shouldn’t have to modify my behavior, the entire rest of the world will have to modify its behavior to satisfy me!” person. How quaint. ---
**Author:** ![Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hilarity_n.suze/32/6223_2.png) [@Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hilarity_N.Suze)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2014, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vicious-dogs-might-escape-leashes/680323/52 "2014-02-02T04:08:06Z")
No, the problem is really not the dogs and their owners. The dogs are on leashes. They haven’t hurt you yet, have they? My dog is very friendly and in no way vicious. However, every now and then he gets his back up about some person we meet, or are about to meet. When I see that happening I shorten the leash and get a good grip (and, in weather like the current, make sure I’m not standing on something slippery). If it’s a narrow sidewalk–and it usually is–then I will step off into the street with my dog on the outside, away from the person. There is no possibility of this dog getting loose to bite the person, and he doesn’t bite people in any case (although I think he would defend me if someone attacked me). I assume that most of the people my dog reacts to this way are afraid of dogs. Partially I assume that because that’s how dogs used to react to me when I was afraid of dogs. By shortening up the leash I might even be telling my dog, “Get ready to bark at this person,” but I’m doing my best to handle my dog (who is NOT vicious in the least) in such a way as to not scare the person. And that’s as far as I’m going to go. Nine out of ten people we pass he will not pay any attention to at all unless they also have a dog, in which case he will want to meet the other dog (and may or may not get to). I would really prefer you not shoot at my dog because I’m also standing right there and you’re likely to hit me. Also keep in mind that some dogs become considerably more aggressive when on leash. When I’m in a place where I can walk my dog off leash he never pays any attention to people at all unless they happen to pick up his ball. I assume that nobody in the dog park is afraid of dogs, or they wouldn’t be there. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2014, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vicious-dogs-might-escape-leashes/680323/53 "2014-02-02T04:23:35Z")
> [@Jacques\_Chitte](#): > > a dog on a leash who STRAINS WITH ALL ITS MIGHT To get loose with AN OBVIOUS INTENT TO ATTACK an innocent human > …HAS A DOG EVER GOT LOOSE FROM ITS LEASH??? A passerby walking a dog that’s growling and unfriendly prompts me to keep my distance, not to speculate about how I’ll go all Dirty Harry on his furry butt the next time I see him. Carry pepper spray if it makes you feel better, and avoid proximity to dogs whenever possible. I would bet your body language is signaling fear/hate and the canines are picking up on it. Either that, or you might want to move to a neighborhood that’s not filled with slavering attack beasts. ---
**Author:** ![BigAppleBucky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigapplebucky/32/178_2.png) [@BigAppleBucky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigAppleBucky)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2014, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vicious-dogs-might-escape-leashes/680323/54 "2014-02-02T04:27:46Z")
If the OP had any understanding of dogs, he would not have started this thread. ---
**Author:** ![Moonlitherial](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4bbf92/32.png) [@Moonlitherial](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moonlitherial)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2014, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vicious-dogs-might-escape-leashes/680323/55 "2014-02-02T04:31:54Z")
> [@Hilarity\_N.Suze](#): > > No, the problem is really not the dogs and their owners. The dogs are on leashes. They haven’t hurt you yet, have they? > > My dog is very friendly and in no way vicious. However, every now and then he gets his back up about some person we meet, or are about to meet. When I see that happening I shorten the leash and get a good grip (and, in weather like the current, make sure I’m not standing on something slippery). If it’s a narrow sidewalk–and it usually is–then I will step off into the street with my dog on the outside, away from the person. > > There is no possibility of this dog getting loose to bite the person, and he doesn’t bite people in any case (although I think he would defend me if someone attacked me). > > I assume that most of the people my dog reacts to this way are afraid of dogs. Partially I assume that because that’s how dogs used to react to me when I was afraid of dogs. By shortening up the leash I might even be telling my dog, “Get ready to bark at this person,” but I’m doing my best to handle my dog (who is NOT vicious in the least) in such a way as to not scare the person. > > And that’s as far as I’m going to go. Nine out of ten people we pass he will not pay any attention to at all unless they also have a dog, in which case he will want to meet the other dog (and may or may not get to). > > I would really prefer you not shoot at my dog because I’m also standing right there and you’re likely to hit me. > > Also keep in mind that some dogs become considerably more aggressive when on leash. When I’m in a place where I can walk my dog off leash he never pays any attention to people at all unless they happen to pick up his ball. I assume that nobody in the dog park is afraid of dogs, or they wouldn’t be there. This, much better than I could have said it 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![BigAppleBucky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigapplebucky/32/178_2.png) [@BigAppleBucky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigAppleBucky)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2014, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vicious-dogs-might-escape-leashes/680323/56 "2014-02-02T04:38:57Z")
> [@Jacques\_Chitte](#): > > " Are you doing something that may make the person walking the dog find you threatening? Are they communicating that to their dogs, either consciously or unconsciously? " > > Again – it must be my fault. > > Astonishing. If I could read body language as well as a dog, I’d make millions playing poker at the table. Dogs are masters of the art of reading body language. They know when someone is hostile toward them and some dogs react with hostility back. My golden, on the other hand, would hang his head and look sad when someone didn’t like him. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2014, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vicious-dogs-might-escape-leashes/680323/57 "2014-02-02T04:39:38Z")
Just be careful of _viscous_ dogs. They can slip free. ---
**Author:** ![Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hilarity_n.suze/32/6223_2.png) [@Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hilarity_N.Suze)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2014, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vicious-dogs-might-escape-leashes/680323/58 "2014-02-02T04:39:48Z")
Oh, and to the OP, the last time my dog wanted to lunge at a person was today. Tall guy, dressed in black, wearing an orange backpack. If that was you I sincerely apologize for my dog scaring you. But if that was you, keep in mind that I was also on MY street, less than 100 feet from MY house, at the time this happened. And you got to keep walking down the dry sidewalk. I was standing in an icy puddle in the gutter. ---
**Author:** ![raventhief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/raventhief/32/4_2.png) [@raventhief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raventhief)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2014, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vicious-dogs-might-escape-leashes/680323/59 "2014-02-02T04:41:21Z")
> [@Jacques\_Chitte](#): > > "you may wish to re-examine your behavior around dogs too, to make sure you aren’t first acting in ways that dogs perceive to be hostile, thus setting off their hostile reactions.) " > > I see. > > And victims of Rape should re-evaluate their actions to see where THEY ASKED FOR IT – is that it? > > I have provoked the dogs somehow… > > it’s my fault Do you think the dog may get away from its owner and rape you? Possible threat of dog attack =/= RAPE DOG=/= HUMAN PREDATOR the dog is not a RAPIST who is seeking out potential VICTIMS. A DOG is reacting to YOU, and your behavior and reaction to it. ---
**Author:** ![April\_R](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3da27b/32.png) [@April\_R](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/April_R)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2014, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vicious-dogs-might-escape-leashes/680323/60 "2014-02-02T04:43:23Z")
> [@Duke\_of\_York](#): > > Maybe all dogs\* with the capacity to kill or seriously injure people should be muzzled when in public areas. \*and six year olds [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vicious-dogs-might-escape-leashes/680323.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vicious-dogs-might-escape-leashes/680323.md?page=4)