Beware of Man & Dog
 

Oh well, we lost our serenity at the polo grounds. It appears that people feel free to run their dogs off leash early in the morning even though it clearly states no dogs allowed. That has not been a problem for me but my sweet husband who has been bitten by dogs twice is concerned when dogs run loose, so when a large dog bounded up to him he politely told the older couple that their dog should be on leash. They did not have a problem with him and called their dog back to them. Just then another man ran up to my husband and started screaming that he should mind his own business, ranting that he had no right to say anything, on and on. He was in his face and very threatening and his dog became agitated and ran round my husband barking. The man was manic as was his dog. We thought he was going to lose it and become physical. Geeze, there goes my serenity. This man appeared to be in his 50's and my husband is 76 so it got
scarey to say the least. Anyway, we dog owners need to respect the right of others and not have our dogs running loose and giving dog owners a bad name. We have lovely dog parks where the dogs can go off leash. We called the Sheriff but of course, the man and dog were long gone. I was thinking of giving my husband a taser for his birthday.:shocked::shocked::shocked:

I agree with you 100%
 

There is no reason for dogs to be off leash unless they are in the dog park. I used my pepper spray on a big black lab recently who came after me and my dog. He did not like it and backed off. The owners just laughed. I do not think it was funny. This did not happen in TV. I used to carry a stick but that didn't work. Now I carry the pepper spray and sometimes I walk with a weed fork. The pepper spray has worked both times I used it but it will not stop a serious attack by a pitbull. Unfortunately I know that from personal experience. Call me a crazy old man but I have to protect myself and my dog. No one else including the police do. I always remind my children when I say good bye. Life is like boxing. Rule number one is Protect yourself at all times. JJ

What kind of dog did the man in his 50s have?

Does it matter?
 

Why does it matter what kind of dog?

A few weeks ago I was walking my neighborhood and a hound dog came out and bit me. A hound dog!!!!

I completely agree.
 

I completely agree. Any dog can bite. They all need to be on leash.

Gosh Duffysmom,
What a lousy experience. I hope it doesn't happen again. I would let Community Watch know about it, in hopes they might patrol the Polo grounds at about the time it happened, and catch the violators walking dogs off leash before someone is hurt.

Of course your husband had a right to speak up! Indeed, I commend him for it, and you for calling law enforcement. All of us need to be proactive in helping to ensure that community rules and standards are enforced. Otherwise, there goes the neighborhood!

I might want to avoid him if I had a better description than a man in his 50s. Do I look for a Yorkie or a Great Dane? Both can bite, of course, but even the owner would have trouble restraining a Great Dane.

A mastiff or other type very big dog near my block was on a leash but still managed to maim badly a much smaller dog because the dog walker probably weighed a lot less than the dog she was paid to walk. She could not control the dog on its leash.

There has been a group for along time along the Lopez recreation trail that allows their dogs to run free. Some of the dogs chase after bikers and walkers. This group is quite large. My wife quit walking there because of it.

A couple of times, I took my golf cart over there with my camera and clicked a couple of photos. Boy those people didn't like that at all. They said a few words that create only asterisks here like **** **** and ****:swear:

At one point, I called the deed compliance office and they told me to find a community watch truck the next time it happened. The next time it happened, I found a near-by community watch truck and he told me to call deed compliance. :rant-rave:

Since it happens in the evening there is nothing anybody can do.

In the case of the polo field, I think I would call Sumter county animal control office. People like this are a threat to the serenity and pursuit of happiness that Villages residents deserve.

Good points but my experience by the time you see dogs off leash it is almost too late. That is why I have my pepper stray in my hand at all times. JJ

I completely agree.
 

I completely agree.

Can you purchase pepper spray in Florida without special permits?

Pt, guess what..... the polo field is privately owned so TV has no jurisdiction and the Sheriff needs to be called for any sort of protection. Tal, the dog appears to be a Spitz or mixed breed, white with some brown patches, medium size. Actually he wasn't as aggressive as his owner. The thing that has me so annoyed is that my husband has a heart condition and we finally got him walking only to have an idiot accost him. I hope that this doesn't discourage anyone from enjoying our beautiful community. I've lived here two years have known only peace and contentment. This is a blip on our radar screen and continue to feel blessed to live here. JimJoe, if I had pepper spray or a taser I'm afraid I would use it on the owner. :rant-rave:

Yeah..I'd spray that thing down Mr "Loudmouth's" throat. Aggressive dog? Probably aggressive owner.

I am so sorry this happened DuffysMom.

What is wrong with people like that man that just.....blow up? You would think that a grown up of some five decades or more would have a little more self control and a little more manners.

I don't blame you at all! If only dog owners would act responsibly. :sigh:

Maybe he's a chemistry major.
:boom:

Didn't realize CW had no jurisdiction. As Duffysmom pointed out, violator would be gone before deputy could get there. Taking a photo of the dog off leash and owner is a very good idea. Don't know if sheriff's office could do anything after the fact, even with the evidence, but it might discourage violators.

JimJoe is giving us all very good advice. Always carry some sort of protection when you are walking your dog, even in an area where all other dogs are on a leash. You never know ... someone could lose control of their dog, drop the leash, etc. Many dogs are protective of their owners and may see you or your dog as a threat.

Yes, provided you have a pulse.

You never know where you might come across a dog off leash.

I was playing golf at Roosevelt a couple of weeks ago, finishing right at dusk. As I walked up to the 9th green I observed two couples with their dogs off leash on the number 2 green and fairway. The dogs were chasing each other while running free. I'd hate to be the golfer who had to putt through some dog poop the next morning.