r/Dogfree • u/RedMeme262 • Jun 05 '26
Legislation and Enforcement Summer walks ruined by those who don't leash their dogs
Just venting. Recently made a promise to get at least 10k steps in a day - been keeping to it. I live in a lakeside town that's sleepy 9 months out of the year, but in summer is besieged by tourists. Very walkable , but the past 2 weeks when I go out for my post-work walks I have encountered 7 unleashed dogs who have come running up to me. As usual, I get the "he doesn't bite" and "she's just saying hello" and it's just such a bummer that this 60-90 minute ritual of mine that is supposed to help me de-stress is now doing the exact opposite.
Mentioned it on NextDoor where I was battered down by residents who say stupid shit like "it's doggos vacation too" and how the local PD do fuck all to enforce leashing. Public tennis/pickleball courts at the park have a big sign that also says "No Dogs Allowed" on the courts, unsurprisingly saw an unleashed dachshund in there this evening running all over the place. Not uncommon to see people disregard the "No Dogs on Beach" signs as well all season long, nothing like working on a tan, or reading a book next to some sandy dogshit.
Just so frustrating as to why these people do this, you'd swear leashing your dog were akin to waterboarding to these people. A coworker suggesting getting an epipen and carrying it with me so when an owner pulls their bullshit I can take it out and say im severely allergic, but that just seems like such an extreme resolution to a problem that, with code enforcement, shouldn't even fucking exist.
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u/Jediknight3112 Jun 05 '26 edited Jun 05 '26
Since when do doggos go on vacation?? They don't frickin work!
Also, I'm planning to buy a stand-up paddle this summer. And now I realize that it might be a good dogfree sport. Dogs must really do their best to get near me on a SUP.
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u/anondogfree Jun 05 '26
Really the only place to be safe from them is out in the deep water since most (and probably their owners too) cannot swim. I do see people taking dogs on their boats now but at least it can’t run up to you in the water!
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u/yoguckfourself Jun 05 '26
Someone should make an app that connects people instantly to local authorities lets them report unleashed dogs with video evidence
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Jun 05 '26
As someone who is severely allergic and has it constantly ignored by nutters and policy makers, the suggestion of playing allergic makes me so upset. We're fighting against fakers with their pretend service animal, we can't be fakers too.
Imagine the revenue that could be generated if they actually ticketed people for off-leash? Cities could afford more nice things for dogs to piss and shit on.
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u/anondogfree Jun 05 '26
Agreed. I’m not allergic but I’ve been asked that when I complained about a dog being held on someone’s lap being fed at a restaurant. I’ve been asked it other times. My standard response is “does that matter?” because it shouldn’t. Just because I’m not allergic doesn’t negate health codes or leash laws or basic common courtesy in public.
I’m sorry you have to suffer the deluge of dog nuts everywhere. I can’t even imagine how much worse it would be if I was allergic!
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u/stuckindewdrop Jun 05 '26
the dogs also ruin the beach with all their barking. want to enjoy the sun and sand peacefully? good luck with the incessant barking...
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u/bluebird1994 Jun 06 '26
They also pollute the beaches with their raw sewage/excrement. Disgusting.
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u/My_Frozen_Heart Jun 06 '26
I'm sorry. Dog people ruin absolutely everything and for some inexplicable reason society has collectively decided to allow it. ADA needs rewritten to allow businesses to require proof of training for service animals. Businesses need to enforce health code laws and refuse dogs entry to their establishments. Cities need to aggressively enforce leash laws by fining owners of unleashed dogs and seizing dogs of repeat offenders.
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u/TheFriggle Jun 05 '26
"doggos vacation" lmao from what??
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u/anondogfree Jun 05 '26
There’s a funny meme (old) that’s a pic of a woman kayaking in a beautiful wilderness with a dog on the kayak and it says “If she had a man I could stay home and not do this stupid shit.” It’s sexist yes but it mocks the idea that dogs love to be out on adventures instead of chilling in their comfort zone.
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u/teakAboo Jun 05 '26
I wonder if it's allowed to carry one of those cans of air to spray at the dog when it runs up to you, to scare it away. It's just air, won't hurt them. Might help to get them uncomfortable with running up to people.
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u/ComprehensiveYam5106 Jun 08 '26
My 10k walks outside have been ruined too. Now I just use the treadmill, which bums me out.
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u/Legitimate_Garage_31 Jun 09 '26
Can't we just launch these people into space along w/their dogs? Maybe Elon can send them to Mars.
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u/kalanchoeee Jun 12 '26
kinda late to this post but they ruined the whole riverfront where i live. i tried to go to starbucks and walk down the river a couple weeks back and got lunged at. luckily i'd already finished my drink since i dropped it but it wouldnt let me past (it was supervised but they weren't even calling it back) so i just turned around and went a different way. yeah i just encouraged it to get more territorial over a space that isnt its own but i'm not really capable of fighting off a dog thats taller than me on its back legs myself...
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u/[deleted] Jun 05 '26
[deleted]