dogs not on leashes

[kaseydog]

new neighbors moved in on my block. they let their dog out without a leash. dog runs on their front lawn & neighbors lawn. lots of yelling to get dog under control. dogs in the villages are supposed to be leashed when outside. i'm not sure how to handle this.

[Bogie Shooter]

Animal Services | Sumter County, FL - Official Website (http://sumtercountyfl.gov/75/Animal-Services)

[graciegirl]

new neighbors moved in on my block. they let their dog out without a leash. dog runs on their front lawn & neighbors lawn. lots of yelling to get dog under control. dogs in the villages are supposed to be leashed when outside. i'm not sure how to handle this.

You are right. All dogs must be leashed. I am not one of those people who could directly confront someone and tell them. (East coasters feel differently) Maybe report them to deed restrictions?

[vintageogauge]

Don't forget, rules don't apply to everyone. There are those that are "entitled" to do as they please. These people were like this before they moved here and it will take a lot to change their ways. Our dog was attacked and badly injured by a dog that was not on a leash, not here in TV, but up north and ours was not the only dog that was attacked by it. Just today I was outside and my dog was on a long leash that does not reach the street and a nice lady with a little poodle asked if it was safe to walk past my driveway with her dog. I told her he could not reach the street but went over and held him by the collar just to make her feel more comfortable as he does bark when dogs go past the house. It only takes a minute to do things right and prevent confrontations.

[billethkid]

Where there are no consequences there will always be those who continue to not abide laws/rules/guidelines.

[Polar Bear]

Just to be clear, it is not a requirement in all areas that a dog be on a leash at all times when outside. Here is the relevant Sumter County code...

——————
County Code 4-10 - All dogs must be confined on the owner's property at all times or under direct control or on a leash when off the owner's property.
——————

[Mleeja]

Just to be clear, it is not a requirement in all areas that a dog be on a leash at all times when outside. Here is the relevant Sumter County code...

——————
County Code 4-10 - All dogs must be confined on the owner's property at all times or under direct control or on a leash when off the owner's property.
——————

I second this. We have a dog watch fence around our yard. Our dog have not left our yard in three plus years. We have a bigger yard than normal. The dog has room to “take care of business”, run around or play frisbee. Also, we do not leave her outside alone. When we are out and about the dog is on a leash, except at the dog park. No entitlement here, just a responsible dog owner.

[kaseydog]

is there a sign indicating that you have an invisible fence?

[photo1902]

The OP stated the dog goes onto property, other than its own. The section of the code provided is moot.

[DonH57]

I second this. We have a dog watch fence around our yard. Our dog have not left our yard in three plus years. We have a bigger yard than normal. The dog has room to “take care of business”, run around or play frisbee. Also, we do not leave her outside alone. When we are out and about the dog is on a leash, except at the dog park.

We do the same and never had an issue in the 5 years we've lived here.

[DonH57]

is there a sign indicating that you have an invisible fence?

We checked with vcdd when we moved here. No signs allowed in yard. I've basically have to all but our neighbors we have the invisible fence.

[SKIMAN]

how do you handle it .knock on door an introduce yourself an just say please keep your dog on leash an off my yard . it's that simple it's not rocket science....

[Polar Bear]

The OP stated the dog goes onto property, other than its own. The section of the code provided is moot.
No. It certainly is not moot.

Some think, and have posted in this thread, that if a dog is outside it must be on a leash. The quoted code corrects that misconception and is relevant to this discussion.

[vintageogauge]

An invisible fence serves the purpose of keeping your dog contained on your property. There is no law that states you must have a sign showing that you have the fence and if you did someone would complain about the sign and turn you in anyway. We had an invisible fence up north and dogs would walk by all day, ours would bark at them but he knew to the inch how far he could go without getting zapped. If trained correctly they are great fences and all the neighbors and dog walkers soon know that you have one.

[photo1902]

No. It certainly is not moot.

Some think, and have posted in this thread, that if a dog is outside it must be on a leash. The quoted code corrects that misconception and is relevant to this discussion.

Yeah. We get it

[Goldwingnut]

Just today I was outside and my dog was on a long leash that does not reach the street and a nice lady with a little poodle asked if it was safe to walk past my driveway with her dog. I told her he could not reach the street but went over and held him by the collar just to make her feel more comfortable as he does bark when dogs go past the house. It only takes a minute to do things right and prevent confrontations.

This is a nice and proper way to address the issue by BOTH parties! Thank you both for being good neighbors and dog owners. If only we could get more people to act in such a courteous manner.

:BigApplause:

[Polar Bear]

Yeah. We get it
Yeah. Most do.

[Barefoot]

It only takes a minute to do things right and prevent confrontations.I'm sure that most of you read in the online newspaper about the dalmatian that attacked the cairn terrier.
The owner decided to euthanize the dalmatian, and she offered to pay the vet bill for the cairn terrier.
A very sad story for both pet owners, and an important lesson to be learned.
Please don't leave your dog outside unsupervised, even if he is tied up.
And please use a leash, it's very important.

[Nucky]

I'm sure that most of you read in the online newspaper about the dalmatian that attacked the cairn terrier.
The owner decided to euthanize the dalmatian, and she offered to pay the vet bill for the cairn terrier.
A very sad story for both pet owners, and an important lesson to be learned.
Please don't leave your dog outside unsupervised, even if he is tied up.
And please use a leash, it's very important.

About 15 minutes ago Mrs. Nucky said I have the green light for another dog. I'm going to wait a bit but it feels great. Using a leash is great advice Mrs. Barefoot, I'm going to take mine off now.:pepper2: LOL

[CFrance]

About 15 minutes ago Mrs. Nucky said I have the green light for another dog. I'm going to wait a bit but it feels great. Using a leash is great advice Mrs. Barefoot, I'm going to take mine off now.:pepper2: LOL
Hooray for you and Mrs. Nucky!:eclipsee_gold_cup:

[Wiotte]

About 15 minutes ago Mrs. Nucky said I have the green light for another dog. I'm going to wait a bit but it feels great. Using a leash is great advice Mrs. Barefoot, I'm going to take mine off now.:pepper2: LOL



As soon as...the new child must
post pics of you guys together !


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[DonH57]

About 15 minutes ago Mrs. Nucky said I have the green light for another dog. I'm going to wait a bit but it feels great. Using a leash is great advice Mrs. Barefoot, I'm going to take mine off now.:pepper2: LOL

Congrats on your release! Those shock collars do work!

[PennyAnn]

I would call Community Standards and ask them to come and speak to the irresponsible dog owner if you are not comfortable. Good luck.

[Barefoot]

Animal Services | Sumter County, FL - Official Website (http://sumtercountyfl.gov/75/Animal-Services)

As Bogie wisely suggested in Post 2, call Animal Services if you're uncomfortable.

[Barefoot]

About 15 minutes ago Mrs. Nucky said I have the green light for another dog.
Great news! :a040:

[PennBF]

You should NEVER feel threatened on your property or enjoying the neighborhood, etc. Call animal control and also the Sheriff and report a threatening animal. These people do not deserve consideration as they are not providing it. :evil6:

[fastboat]

Not much you can do if the dog stays in his own yard unless of course their barking becomes a noise nuisance. However, once they set foot out of their yard, not on a leash, call your county animal control and lodge a complain. After a neighbor's dog relieved himself in our front yard that was enough. Animal control was out within an hour and the dog has been restrained to it's own yard ever since.

[lwmilo]

While on the subject of our furry little pets, whats the code on dogs using other neighbors lawns as a feces or urine deposit ?. This is whether the animal is on a lease or not and allegedly the feces is picked up by the owner / pet walker.
Why can't the dog walker walk their animal IN FRONT OF THEIR OWN HOME!!!! and not their neighbors. This issue has probably been come arise in the past , but I still don't know the outcome by the Village Regs.

[MIskra]

I am also new to The Villages. One of our across-the-street neighbors has two dogs (one large, and the other medium sized) who are not leashed, but never bark or leave their property. I can see their house from my front window. There is a dogie door through a garage door on the side of the house, which is visable from the street. I do not know if there is another dogie door from inside of the garage into the house, or if the dogs live in the garage. The dogs are not always out, and they are not always out together. When they are out, their owners are rarely out supervising them and they can roam around their entire over-sized yard (front, side and back). They look clean, well-fed and cared for. Either these dogs are extremely well trained, or there is an invisable, electronic fence around the property. Either way, I do not see an issue. They appear to be very nice dogs and I think it is nice that they have the freedom to enjoy their yard.

[OhioBuckeye]

new neighbors moved in on my block. they let their dog out without a leash. dog runs on their front lawn & neighbors lawn. lots of yelling to get dog under control. dogs in the villages are supposed to be leashed when outside. i'm not sure how to handle this.

I don't have a pet for one reason or another, but I assume this is a Villages rule or law. I wouldn't think you would have to handle it yourself, since it's a Village rule or law, call The Villages & tell them to handle it.

[OhioBuckeye]

Just to be clear, it is not a requirement in all areas that a dog be on a leash at all times when outside. Here is the relevant Sumter County code...

——————
County Code 4-10 - All dogs must be confined on the owner's property at all times or under direct control or on a leash when off the owner's property.
——————

Thanks for the Code Polar Bear but correct me if I'm wrong the question was the new neighbor let their dog run & doesn't have control over their dog to keep it on their property. Isn't that what the Code you posted said? Not disagreeing with what you said but the dog isn't confined on a leash when running on the neighbors lawn.

[darlagirl]

I love my East coast. I don't confront
Folks.

[darlagirl]

Thank you for being such a nice person with your pup!
Dogs ate so nice.

[Pamela Sloan]

Why not kindly approach the new residents an ask them if they are aware of the lease law? Or show concern over the dog getting hurt? No reason to start out with hard feelings........

[robinsdw2]

I second this. We have a dog watch fence around our yard. Our dog have not left our yard in three plus years. We have a bigger yard than normal. The dog has room to “take care of business”, run around or play frisbee. Also, we do not leave her outside alone. When we are out and about the dog is on a leash, except at the dog park. No entitlement here, just a responsible dog owner.
If every dog owner was as responsible as you there would be no issues and I applaud you for feeling this way. We have new neighbors who installed a pet fence but when they turn their 2 dogs into the yard they are not out with them and the dogs certainly violate the rights of all the other neighbors by just standing there and barking at the air. Those of us who live around them can not even walk out in our front yards or our garages, if the dogs are out, without the dogs just standing there and barking. There is no discipline of these dogs. This was such a quiet community prior to these folks. I have always had dogs until I moved here but I would never allow my dogs to behave this way.

[xcaligirl]

Wish you were my neighbor! :-). Seems like there are quite a few "entitled people" here. They act like someone told them they only have a month to live & do whatever they please

[Suzi]

Why not kindly approach the new residents an ask them if they are aware of the lease law? Or show concern over the dog getting hurt? No reason to start out with hard feelings........

Perfect advice.

[airstreamingypsy]

1. For the dogs running loose.... they can on their own property but not on anyone else's. I would simply go the people and tell them I know since you're new here you may not realize that your dogs can't run loose out of your yard. Tell them about the off leash dog play areas. Tell them about the coyotes killing dogs. Explain that if the dogs are loose, and running around outside, while they are inside, they could crap in someone's yard which will cause all hell to break loose. My neighbors had a chihuahua what would come over to my yard and yap, I told them if it comes in my yard, my dog will kill it. That solved that..... 2. To the person whose eneighborhood peace is being destroyed by barking dogs...... the owner can hear them so the owner is clearly an idiot. Report them to the powers that be and let them deal with it.

[Polar Bear]

Thanks for the Code Polar Bear but correct me if I'm wrong the question was the new neighbor let their dog run & doesn't have control over their dog to keep it on their property. Isn't that what the Code you posted said? Not disagreeing with what you said but the dog isn't confined on a leash when running on the neighbors lawn.
We are in absolute agreement. :)

A dog running loose on other folks property, or even barking incessantly no matter where they are, is terrible and gives all dog owners bad reps. I only quoted the code because a few folks believe a dog must be on a leash whenever outside, even on the owners' property.

And while I think the code is reasonable, I do think it could have been worded better. The phrase "...under direct control or on a leash when off the owner's property..." could be interpreted that it is legal to have a dog off a leash when not on the owners's property if under direct control. I do not believe that is the intent or that it should be. In my opinion, when a dog is off the owners' property, it should be leashed, unless of course it's in a dog park.

Like Mleeja, our dog is either in our yard or on a leash. While in our yard, our dog is directly supervised 100% of the time and is not on a leash. When off our property, our dog is on a leash.

[Ss6247]

Have you tried talking to them? Maybe they don’t know....

[justjim]

The Villages is what is called a pet friendly community. You are allowed two dogs - - no weigh limit. I know there are some HOA’S and communities that are not pet friendly and pets are not allowed. Would not deed restrictions preclude county code leash requirements? In other words, we have certain age requirements, sign requirement, yard ornaments, etc. My point is that our deed restrictions (as I remember them) require residents to be responsible to keep dogs on a leash. Just a thought - - not a lawyer.....

[tophcfa]

I am a lifelong dog owner and dog lover. I strongly disagree with any dog owner that uses an invisable fence, choke collar or prong collar. Negative reinforcement by shocking, choking, or gouging a dog is just plain animal cruelty. Instead of being a lazy and cruel owner, take the necessary time to properly train your dog using positive reinforcement. And yes, it is same same lazy people that let their dogs off leash where not allowed, let their dogs to do their business on other residents lawns, and never pick up after their dogs. Unfortunately, the relatively small percentage of bad dog owners tend to cause all dog owners to be negatively painted with the same broad brush.

[tmbromley]

new neighbors moved in on my block. they let their dog out without a leash. dog runs on their front lawn & neighbors lawn. lots of yelling to get dog under control. dogs in the villages are supposed to be leashed when outside. i'm not sure how to handle this.

When was it that neighbors became afraid to talk to neighbors. I’m sorry but I would have no problem at all introducing myself to a new neighbor and speaking to him or her about controlling their dog so that it doesn’t use my yard as a bathroom. If that doesn’t work I’d go to the next level of police or TV restrictions. But just speak to the individual; you might be surprised how well that may work.

[banjobob]

call the animal control people or just go tell them you have a gun and if your dog is in my yard

[PennBF]

If you ever served on a Board of a Condo in Florida you would quickly learn that the 3 most residents problems to deal with are "Pets, Pool and Poop"! PETS: not on a lease, Threatening (e.g. Pit Bull, etc), Barking, POOL: Water too cold, water too hot, too many in pool, kids relieving themselves in pool..If that happen Florida laws require the emptying of the pool and cleaning and refilling, POOP: Pets pooping on parking lot, beach, lawn. I promise you these will be continually brought before the board and you will never win! OH Yea, where pets not allowed.."I didn't know, its my relatives dog and they are just visiting, just here for a day or so and he's a friendly "Pit Bull", Isn't he/she cutes, can I keep him at the Condo?".You can fill in the many blanks.:pepper2:

[CFrance]

call the animal control people or just go tell them you have a gun and if your dog is in my yard
It's not the dog's fault. Shoot the neighbor.:evil6:

[Marathon Man]

call the animal control people or just go tell them you have a gun and if your dog is in my yard

Yes. That is called setting an example of being a good neighbor. Oh, wait ...

[Marathon Man]

When was it that neighbors became afraid to talk to neighbors. I’m sorry but I would have no problem at all introducing myself to a new neighbor and speaking to him or her about controlling their dog so that it doesn’t use my yard as a bathroom. If that doesn’t work I’d go to the next level of police or TV restrictions. But just speak to the individual; you might be surprised how well that may work.

:agree:

[graciegirl]

When was it that neighbors became afraid to talk to neighbors. I’m sorry but I would have no problem at all introducing myself to a new neighbor and speaking to him or her about controlling their dog so that it doesn’t use my yard as a bathroom. If that doesn’t work I’d go to the next level of police or TV restrictions. But just speak to the individual; you might be surprised how well that may work.

I would be surprised. They may not ACT offended but they will be, and you are still living there near them, seeing them at group functions.

When you in essence tell someone close by how to run their railroad, you can bet they aren't going to thank you for it. It isn't being afraid. It is being realistic. First of all it is highly unlikely that they aren't aware of leash laws and it is highly likely they are going to be ****ed off. This is a regionality issue. Where I grew up, you didn't confront anyone, no matter how diplomatic you were.

[Cisco Kid]

call the animal control people or just go tell them you have a gun and if your dog is in my yard

This is a reason to carry.

[ColdNoMore]

When was it that neighbors became afraid to talk to neighbors. I’m sorry but I would have no problem at all introducing myself to a new neighbor and speaking to him or her about controlling their dog so that it doesn’t use my yard as a bathroom. If that doesn’t work I’d go to the next level of police or TV restrictions. But just speak to the individual; you might be surprised how well that may work.

Yep...exactly.

I would much rather have a neighbor tell me about something I'm doing that's bothering them...than for them to be passive-aggressive about it.

If I disagree, then I also feel comfortable telling them so...and calmly explaining why I disagree.

Pretty simple actually. :shrug:

[Barefoot]

I am a lifelong dog owner and dog lover.
Unfortunately, the relatively small percentage of bad dog owners tend to cause all dog owners to be negatively painted with the same broad brush.
Most dog owners are responsible and respectful. It's a few bad apples that ruin it for the rest.

[OhioBuckeye]

We are in absolute agreement. :)

A dog running loose on other folks property, or even barking incessantly no matter where they are, is terrible and gives all dog owners bad reps. I only quoted the code because a few folks believe a dog must be on a leash whenever outside, even on the owners' property.

And while I think the code is reasonable, I do think it could have been worded better. The phrase "...under direct control or on a leash when off the owner's property..." could be interpreted that it is legal to have a dog off a leash when not on the owners's property if under direct control. I do not believe that is the intent or that it should be. In my opinion, when a dog is off the owners' property, it should be leashed, unless of course it's in a dog park.

Like Mleeja, our dog is either in our yard or on a leash. While in our yard, our dog is directly supervised 100% of the time and is not on a leash. When off our property, our dog is on a leash.
Well I can't argue with the pet owners because like I said I haven't had a dog for probably 20 yrs. now. Sure would like to have one but I want to be fair to my pet & spend a lot of time with them. When I see people out walking their dogs I always think, "Well their dog is taking the master out for a walk", I don't say that to be mean. I actually think how nice it is that these people love their dogs so much that they are willing to spend a lot of time with them. I do see one gentleman walking his standard Poodle with no leash on & this dog is so disciplined that when the owner & dog walk by ANYBODY the owner will stop & that dog will come back & sit right next to his owner until whoever gets by them & without saying a word the owner will give give a hand signal & then the dog will start walking again. Thanks for your comment!

[autumnspring]

new neighbors moved in on my block. they let their dog out without a leash. dog runs on their front lawn & neighbors lawn. lots of yelling to get dog under control. dogs in the villages are supposed to be leashed when outside. i'm not sure how to handle this.

Sadly, this is a tough issue. Been there and done that.

HOPEFULLY, they are reasonable people and you can speak with them. SADLY, by now you will know what you have.
You will have them INTRUDING on you in other ways as well.

You might call THE VILLAGES. They have people SKILLED at handling such issues or can give you advice as to YOUR options