What’s the use of laws requiring dogs to be on leashes if they’re not enforced? Photo: Michelle Kroll.
A relative on the Central Coast called this week, distressed by an incident involving her friend who was attacked by four dogs while on a morning walk.
Her friend is in hospital, but it could have been much worse if members of a nearby club had not heard her screams.
This highlights a problem throughout NSW judging by a local government report on quarterly figures of dog attack incidents in more than 80 cities and towns between November and December last year.
It came as no surprise that Wollongong came in second after Blacktown, with 51 dog attacks on humans and 54 on animals.
After a decade of walking my dog and talking with other owners, I would estimate more than half of those attacks were avoidable if not for dimwit owners who choose to ignore signs to leash their dogs.
Only four days before the abovementioned phone call I’d come up against yet another ratbag who not only let his huge mixed-breed dog run five metres in front of him, he also refused a polite request to put his dog on a leash.
The dog looked friendly, but I’ve seen dogs who can spin on a button, going from happy-go-lucky to snarling demons if they suddenly take a dislike to your dog.
About 95 per cent of people are happy to oblige, but this guy belonged to the five per cent who believe rules don’t apply to them.
Instead, he uttered those four words that make no sense: “Don’t worry, he’s friendly”.
When I explained a so-called friendly dog had ripped open half of my dog’s flank a few years earlier it made no difference.
In fact, it set him off on an aggressive rant.
“People like you shouldn’t be out in public with their dogs,” he bellowed.
I considered raising the fact the law was on my side, but by this stage I thought it more sensible to cut and run with me and my dog in one piece.
Episodes like this are not an everyday occurrence, but from talking to other dog owners, they are happening too often.
And when things do turn nasty, issuing blame can become complicated particularly when it involves anxious, reactive dogs who just want to be left alone on a walk.
A friend who has a dog in that category and who kits him out in a “give me space” coat, recently had to pay a hefty vet bill for the injuries his dog inflicted on an unleashed fluffy pup who bounded up, expecting to play.
The pup’s owner was new to the game and didn’t fully understand her responsibilities, but two dogs, including her own, had to pay the price for her ignorance.
Another friend with an anxious dog has lost count of the battles she has waged with people who can’t be bothered tethering their dog.
Her routine is to pull off the path and walk metres into the bush until they pass because again, she has encountered hostility when seeking distance for her dog.
I’m convinced that nothing will change without a stronger response to those who flout leash regulations.
Signage is useless unless it is backed up by regular ranger patrols.
In the past 10 years I’ve not seen one ranger out and about enforcing the rules.
Until the renegades see some strength behind the leash legislation, nothing will change.
