Dog Leashes?
 

Is there a requirement in the villages as to the length of a dog leash. I have seen a Doberman snarling on a very long leash perhaps 25 feet with a lot more left on the owners reel

have not seen anything

I'm not aware of any either.

I can tell you I am not a fan of retract-o-leash.

I bet someone in the Villages Community Standards would know if there is a ruling on that. There probably is but buried in the bylaws somewhere.

Definitely not regulated by The Villages. It MIGHT be regulated by your county, but I doubt it.

Florida Dog Bite Lawyer & Dog Leash Laws - County by County

Lake County says leash no longer than 6 foot.
Site lists all county restrictions.

As long as you have control of your animal, 2 legged or four, lol.

There are 25ft retractable leashes, but usually can’t see what left. Was it clear case?

Not clear case but the size of the reel indicated there was so much more to go

Look on your county web site for the real answer.

Also not a fan of retractable leashes. It forces the dog to always be pulling against it. Dogs need to be able to just walk, at ease, in comfort and without stress. A dog-owner who has reasonable control over her pet will be able to use a regular leash, and it will be slack and not taut.

Forced social distancing

doubt it

It appears that this is a sheriff’s issue. I was hoping the villages send a letter to the neighbors or have community watch explain the rules.
The Sheriff seems like a nuclear option I am reluctant to use on a neighbor. In times of a pandemic I’m sure they have more important issues to be concerned about
On the other hand this dog could hurt someone and I shouldn’t be afraid to walk around the block.

It appears that Lake County's 6-foot leash law only applies to dogs in the county's parks, although that is up to legal interpretation. I live in Sumter County, and I called Animal Services to ask this question when I first moved here. I was told that the length of the leash is not specified in their leash law.

If you are concerned about your safety, then carry a weapon when you walk.

When we moved to Osceola Hills 3.5 years ago, we often saw dogs not on leashes. As we were walking one evening, two large unleashed dogs charged up to us in a very threatening manner, but the owner eventually got control of them.

The next day, we went to the Sumter County Animal Control and filed a complaint against the owner and we also went to The Villages office in Lake Sumter Landing to file a complaint.

After that, I would carry a metal hiking pole with a sharp metal point when we walked.

Community Watch does NOT explain rules. It is not what they do or what they are paid to do. They just watch and that is it.

Retractable leashes are so dangerous, it's a wonder anyone risks their dog's safety using them.

One has to say to oneself....ya live in TV, what the heck do you need a Doberman for (or any large dog breed that has been bred for aggressiveness)

okay, you had it before moving here....well, you're not in Kansas anymore....take it to a dog obedience school and get it socialized before someone gets hurt

Dobermans are strong animals....you're not as strong as you once were...this is 55+ community where people get out and walk

people that have these types of dogs in TV need to connect the dots

Dobies are not inherently aggressive. It all depends on the dog. When I lived up north I used to walk 7 VERY large dogs at a time, NEVER EVER on a retractable lead because I think they give you no control and are an accident waiting to happen. It's all in the control of the dog and what the dog and owner can handle, not the breed. I walk giant breed dogs and have walked with my own as well as taken my neighbor's dog with us on walks with no issues because I can handle it and I am in control and the dogs know it. I have been showing dogs, huge ones, for 40 years and never had an issue. What scares me is these little dogs that charge my dogs and the owner that says, "Oh, Fluffy is just playing." No matter if it's a toy dog or the Great Pyrenees I showed and handled myself it all depends on the owner and his/her relationship to the dog, not the size or breed. I see far too many people that use the 'rescue' excuse for bad behavior or the 'he's my little fur human' as an excuse for bad behavior. It's not an excuse. Badly behaved is badly behaved. Take responsibility for it and change it. If you don't know how to do it then seek professional help. I've had giant breed rescue dogs also and changed their behavior. Ultimately it's not the breed, it's the owner.

I don’t believe there is a length limit in Sumter county. You are required to have your pet “in control” or it is considered to be “at large” and no mention of leashes at all that I can see in the actual code. Can you really be in control if your pet is 25 feet away? I have my doubts. With the oodles of liability lawyers chomping at the bit in Florida, I would not want to try and convince a judge or civil court jury of that.

Dogs don’t like something thrown at them. In my native village many people had guard dogs and if someone walked by their property the dogs would likely attack. People walking used walking sticks and if a dog was charging, lean down suddenly as if you are picking up a rock. Given the number of rock mulches in people’s gardens in TV it is easy enough to find. But just the sudden movement usually throws off a dog.

Don’t hesitate to protect yourself, the owner may not be able to control their dog. The other thing is pepper spray, a small can is easily carried on a lanyard. Sometimes I feel it would be more effective on the owner.... and yes, I am a dog owner but people come first.

Then there are situations where the owner can’t look after their dogs. I was walking in my area when 2 medium size dogs escaped from an owner using a walker and dashed towards me. I was by myself. The dogs were barking. I recognized the type of bark was not hostile. The owner said, “You want a dog?” I just smiled. The dogs returned to him, but it was obvious that he could not physically control them. So what is he supposed to do? I am not sure.

No dog on a 25 foot leash is under control.
Period.
Full stop.
Amen!

I don’t believe any dog should be on a long leash out in public. However...

Your statement is simply not true.

Amen. One friend here in TV had a Dobie female who was the sweetest, friendliest dog. Our golden's best friend in Michigan was a male Rottweiler. Also sweet. Our next-door neighbor's daughter in MI rescued a pit bull who was just great.


I've seen some nasty little dogs, and some little ones that are sweet as can be. Dogs take time and effort. And a whole lot of thought.


But I wish they would ban those retractable leashes. I don't get the point of them. I don't think you could reel one in fast enough if your dog was 15 feet out and decided to run into the street.

Interesting. Did Sumter animal control or the Villages take any action

I couldn’t agree more. They purchased this dog here when they moved.

Stop
 

Why does everyone feel the need to go complain about everything? Just because you're shared of your shadow doesn't mean the dogs are mean. Good job being a nuisance to decent people

Really?
 

So you want to ruin everyone's enjoyment of their animals because you're afraid of a breed? Doubt the snarling happened.

Yep. If they take away the dog I really hope they know who you are.

Ridiculous
 

One has to say to oneself...how long has the dog been there before someone decides they're scared of big dogs. It's not your business what kind of dog it is. No breed is mean unless they are taught to be mean.

Sounds as if your complaining!
Decent people keep control of their animals so they don’t become a nuisance to other decent people

Yep
 

Like I said, are you the only one concerned about a large dog? Maybe the dog isn't the problem.

Larger dogs are harder to control physically, that could be the problem. I refused getting two beautiful American Staffordshire Terrier pups from a friend, who shows them at shows, because they grow up to be up to 70 pounds, powerful dogs and they need regular physical leadership especially while growing up. My friend who offered them is a champion kick boxer and has no trouble controlling them. Me... not so much.

I believe it is.
Even a highly trained dog on a 25ft. leash is not under control.
Under command? Yes, but not under complete control.

Something to ponder!
 

“According to a study from the Center For Disease Control (CDC)1, approximately 4.7 million dog bites occur in the United States each year, and 800,000 of those bites result in medical care. The U.S. population is approximately 325.7 million people as of 2017. That means a dog bites 1 out of every 69 people.”

Personally I would be cautious if I came across the path of an unleashed dog and its owner, or a dog who’s owner had it on a very long leash!

Again, I am not in favor of long leashes in public. But for my definition of a “highly trained dog”, the leash would be irrelevant, just a concession to dog-in-public requirements.

Tired of you “Doggie” people always explaining away bad behaviour of your Foo-Foo.

Your dog comes up to me in a threatening manner, especially if its a large mutt, i will shoot it. Its your responsibility to control your animal.

Was at Brownwood Market a while ago. Waiting at a vendors table, some woman let her small mongrel jump on me. Looked at her and said get your dog off my leg. She got belligerent and said...obviously you are not a dog lover and dont understand my dog is just socializing.

Told her, i love dogs, i dont like dog owners who cant control their animals.

There is no reason for a pet to touch you, especially during the pandemic. There is a low but yet some chance their fur carries the virus. I have a neighborhood cat that has been visiting my home for years. These days I greet him with a spray of Windex. I don’t have to actually spray him, just sort of in his direction is enough. He gets the idea.

No cat should be let out here. Bad cat owner that lets their cat out, even if it just walk behind the cat.

Wear your Maskie if your worried about getting the virus from a cat!