Why All Dogs Need to Be on a Leash at All Times

I can't think of a situation when you shouldn't be in control of your pet.

A recent letter to the editor published at seacoastonline.com regarding the situation at Rye beaches (wherein dogs not leashed are running up to citizens who are just out for a stroll as well as dog owners not picking up after their dogs) got me to wondering why dogs are ever off leash. This especially applies to a very public place like a beach or a populated walking trail.

I am the happy owner of a small, 20 pound, sixteen-year-old dog that has never met a larger dog that he doesn't want to throw down with. Just recently, he decided to mix it up with a pit-bull 14 years younger, and thankfully with a calmer temperament that kept it from tearing my dog from limb to limb.

The point being no matter how friendly your off-leash dog might be, I've got a tazmanian devil disguised as a quiet, elderly poodle on the end of my lease ready to attack.

So enough with the 'my dog is friendly' excuse as to why you let your dog run off-leash. So is my dog, ninety-nine percent of the time. I just don't see a reason to chance it.

Also, by being in control of him at all times, it lessens the chance of him being hit by a car while chasing a squirrel or cat, or any other animal.

In summation, keep your dog leashed no matter where you are. Oh, and please pick up after them.