Allowing the dog to go out fully extended on retractable leash onto somebody else's yard/property is called

TRESSPASSING. It's not public property!

The first thing that ought to go is the retractable leashes. There is at least one sad account here of an elderly lady in Spanish Springs, walking down the sidewalk, and a dog owner had the cord extended out quite far. The cord is so thin it's not visible and the lady tripped over it and had what could have been a brain and spinal injury but fortunately wasn't.

Also, they are a danger when walking in the streets of neighborhoods without sidewalks. If the dog bolts toward moving car wheels it's a disaster to try to get him pulled back to yourself in an instant.

I saw a guy with his retractable lead the other night, doing 2 inconsiderate things at Lake Sumter Landing, on the lakeside of the Sales Center. First he let the dog go up onto the grass/landscaping at the side doors of the sales center and it was doing its business there. As soon as the dog was done he let it go out about 15 feet from him on the retractable cord. He was on the inside of the sidewalk and the dog was on the outside, with the cord able to trip anyone who came around the corner. It was dusk and the cord was barely visible. I told him people have tripped over cords like that and the dog needs to be kept close to the owner.

He growled and had no intention of doing anything about it. Especially in a town square/downtown, the dog needs to be kept close regardless of what type of leash it's on. Not everybody wants an unknown dog coming up to them!

Our dog does all his business in his own yard. After that he gets his walk. Simple.

My dog poops 3 or 4 times while I'm walking it. You must have had a real smart dog if it knew to poop all it had to before it could go for a walk. I have a greyhound. It needs exercise. Sorry but if I am walking it and it has to go, it goes. I pick it up. End of story. The respectable thing is to pick it up and that's what I do. Yell at me if I don't, but I'm not going to NOT walk my dog and give it what it needs just so other people are happy. If there was a law against walking your dog, I would obey it. To me, the only "law" there is, is to be respectful and pick it up. Can anyone give me a VALID reason, not just a grumpy complaint, but a VALID reason why a dog pooping in a yard and being picked up is bad for the lawn? Or better yet, if the dog poops on rocks, why it is bad for the rocks. Hello, rain washes it off the rocks if any is left on it.

That's just as rude as the person who allowed their dog to go on your property. Two wrongs don't make a right.

Also, if the dog hasn't done so already, it will scare the crap out of it. Don't take it out on the poor dog for the owner's problem.

There is absolutely no reason for a dog to be on another person's lawn unless they were invited. Especially several feet into the lawn. Simple as that.

Did someone ask for popcorn? :popcorn: :popcorn:

Any community that allows two dogs per household will have some uncivilized dog owners. We all knew when we purchased in The Villages that there are a huge number of dogs walking around. As a matter of fact, some of us purchased in TV because it's such a dog-friendly community. Obviously this was part of The Developer's vision.

Should everyone be civil and respectful and never speed in their golf cart or make rude finger motions in a roundabout or walk their dogs on someone else's lawn? Absolutely. Will that ever happen? Absolutely not. As with the other myriad of dog poop threads, all this thread will do is allow some frustrated residents to vent their frustration. And it obviously makes them feel better to vent, so I guess it's a good thing to have regular poop threads.

But please don't lose sight of the fact that most dog owners are civilized and charming and respectful of others' property. Unfortunately there are always some bad apples, that's life.

Dog walking on private property
 

Contrary to what you say, there IS a law against walking the dog on private property.

See Florida statutes below:
it is a misdemeanor to enter private property (curtilage, #2) for the purpose of an offense, to see a list of offenses regarding waste and litter, see (2b).

Florida Statute
810.09 Trespass on property other than structure or conveyance.—

(1)(a) A person who, without being authorized, licensed, or invited, willfully enters upon or remains in any property other than a structure or conveyance:
1. As to which notice against entering or remaining is given, either by actual communication to the offender or by posting, fencing, or cultivation as described in s. 810.011; or

2. If the property is the unenclosed curtilage of a dwelling and the offender enters or remains with the intent to commit an offense thereon, other than the offense of trespass,

commits the offense of trespass on property other than a structure or conveyance.

(b) As used in this section, the term “unenclosed curtilage” means the unenclosed land or grounds, and any outbuildings, that are directly and intimately adjacent to and connected with the dwelling and necessary, convenient, and habitually used in connection with that dwelling.


(2)(a) Except as provided in this subsection, trespass on property other than a structure or conveyance is a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

(b) If the offender defies an order to leave, personally communicated to the offender by the owner of the premises or by an authorized person, or if the offender willfully opens any door, fence, or gate or does any act that exposes animals, crops, or other property to waste, destruction, or freedom; unlawfully dumps litter on property; or trespasses on property other than a structure or conveyance, the offender commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

Well, I guess all I can say is, I would love to be a fly on the wall when someone calls the police out to their house and the officer asks what the problem is and the person says "that person let their dog poop on my property and then had the audacity to come onto my grass to pick it up!"

I think there are more important issues in life than someone's dog on someone else's grass.

Sorry, I think your interpretation is a bit off.

I wonder how may posts this thread will eventually have?

I'm open to that possibility, Patty. What are you thinking I misread?

The phone call to the Sheriff's office concerning a dog pooping on a yard and someone cleaning it up without being invited onto the property would truly be one for Jay Leno's segment on funny 911 calls.

I would love to hear a conversation like that as well as the in-station talk among the officers about it after The Villager got off the line.

My continuing question in mind with all these threads and posts defending habitual--not one-time--trespassing on private property is:

Why is it not enough that a homeowner says, "Keep your dog off my property"?

Why are people so condescending that they defend disrespect of our rights of private property ownership??

To me, the way I was raised by people who expect obedience to rules and norms of common decency, nobody should even have to mention calling the police nor refer to state laws.

In a democratic society, people are required to discipline themselves!

I do understand the difficulty of toileting the dog, I have a big one. I really don't expect any legal mess to happen over dog poop, but liability issues are a concern. For that reason I'd rather people leave the poop than come in my yard to pick it up. I'd put up a sign saying leave the poop, but they don't let you put up sign. This topic is never going to be resolved....sigh.

I don't think you misread it, I think you interpretation is off. In my mind it is not criminal tresspassing unless there is a secondary offense. In my mind there would have to be a secondary offense with malice, but I could be wrong.

"2. If the property is the unenclosed curtilage of a dwelling and the offender enters or remains with the intent to commit an offense thereon, other than the offense of trespass,"

If you are seriously thinking of following through on this action you should maybe speak to an attorney. I'm sure there are some that will give you a free phone consultation.

It must be hell to get old! I wonder if you all complain about your neighbors leaves falling on your property.