I was raised not to snitch plus I was a major nerd as a kid. I cut loose as a college freshman and rarely look back.
I always confront any issue directly and rarely approach any authority both in and out of work.

I went to the Community Development office at Lake Sumter this morning to complain about the dogs running loose in Osceola Hills, and they took my complaint seriously. They said that because our neighborhood is new, they would have the builder send a letter to the homeowner reminding them of the leash laws in TV. I stressed that these dogs were not the small dogs so common in TV, but they were larger and more aggressive. I said that, to my knowledge, many villagers are armed and might shoot an aggressive dog running loose. I said it would be a very good idea for the builder to talk with the dog owners personally. She seemed very concerned and said she would call the builder.

Then we drove down to the Sumter county Animal Control office in Lake Pannasofkie. They also took our complaint seriously and said they would send an officer to the dog owners house. I told them we used to live in a TV-like community in Maryland and that one homeowner shot and killed a dog that was harassing them. The person at Animal Control did not blink and eye and said that is allowed here as well.

Well, I have not fired a gun in 45 years so I will not go that route, but we will definitely not walk by that house again.

Yes, and I would use that stick on the owner who didn't leash his fur baby!:icon_wink:

I like the "friendly approach" suggestions.

This is a very strong statement. No dogs have been shot or shot at in The Villages.
Why do you think that someone would shoot a dog in The Villages. That is kinda paranoid to me!
If the folks at Community Development said they would respond to the situation........why then go to Animal Control? What's next a stop at the Sheriffs Office?

What did the dogs do other than run up to you???Did they jump on you? Did they scratch you? did they bite you? Did they bark their fool heads off?? Why should small dogs be any different than large dogs?? I understand your being scared because of not knowing but what did you learn about the dogs_that they just run up to you????

A few shots at humans in the past but no dogs. [emoji6]

Probably for the same reason a guy shot a dog in the Maryland neighborhood where we lived in the 1970's.

Because I thought they might put more pressure on the dog owner to realize the error of his ways.

Yes, that is next if a loose dog scratches or bites me.

The large dogs ran up very close to us barking loudly in a very aggressive manner. It really scared us. Later the owner finally came out of his house.

Is it reasonable that we were very upset? I would appreciate a Yes or No answer.

Have a question how does the dog warden have any business in your own yard,if your dog isn't doing anything wrong.Guess I need to check the law that refers to

FWIW, following is from the Sumter County website...

"County Code 4-10 states that all dogs must be confined on owners property at all times or under direct control or on a leash when off the owners property.

Otherwise a citation will be issued for the animal running free."

IMO, this is a reasonable law. I seriously doubt TV would ever enforce any rule more strict than this.

As usual, a sane and common sense response.

In my opinion, this law is not reasonable. The phrase "under direct control" is too ambiguous.

I like the statement in section 2.23 of our Declaration of Restrictions which states that dog owners "shall be responsible to keep such pet on a leash".

In my opinion, I think you are one of those rather afraid of all dogs, or not a fan of them.

I could tell from the title of the thread that you're very upset about the situation.
Not "Large Dogs Off Leash", but "Large Dogs Running Wild".
You are right that the dogs had no right to be running in the streets.
(I assume the dogs were off the owner's property and not confined by an invisible fence?)
I'm sorry you were scared by these large dogs.