Do you HAVE to have a dog on a lead?

**Loula** · 24-02-2010, 10:36pm

OK, before we start, I'm not anti-dogs, but I'm not exactly a huge fan either, so not sure if this is clouding my judgement.

I have a neighbour who has (I think) a Staffordshire Bull Terrier. This dog is NEVER on a lead. We live in a cul-de-sac with a large grassy area where the children in the street play and if the dogs owner is working on his garden say, he'll let the dog out at the same time. When he takes the dog for a walk there is never a lead and the dog runs free.

This really doesn't sit right with me.

One time (and I'm aware it was only one time) last summer the children were out playing and the dog was running around too. Someone was out walking their dog (who was on a lead) and this Staffie my neighbour owns attacked it. I was so scared I literally had to drag my child over to our house away from it all. The Staffie's owner of course pegged it over and pulled his dog off.

Another time he was out walking with his girlfriend and the dog and they passed my house just as my son was coming home from swimming and being dropped off. Fred kind of backed away and they both said "oh he doesn't bite - give him a stroke"...Fred didn't want to and came in.

Now, in my mind, of course the dog doesn't bite, but you know what - it only takes one time to seriously harm my child or worse. Maybe I'm just overly scared of dogs and I'm aware I could be passing this onto Fred...

BUT - is it right that this dog doesn't have to be on a lead? Because if not, I'm seriously not letting Fred out this summer.

Blimey that was long.

**Greenpea1** · 24-02-2010, 10:38pm

I don't think dogs have to be on a lead, but for him to let it out like he does when he is gardening is just irresponsible. Especially as it has attacked another dog before.

**goldilocks** · 24-02-2010, 10:43pm

Don't know with regards to the law (will ask dh tomorrow as he will know) but I think its bloody irresponsible of dog owners to let their dogs run around where their are kids about. My daughter is terrified of dogs and all we get when we encounter them off leads is ' its okay, he's friendly,stroke him ' drives me mental

**lafleur** · 24-02-2010, 10:43pm

I'm not certain about this, but I think the law says your dog has to be under control at all times in public places. The only way you can really prove your dog is under control is by having it on a lead. So, if this dog has attacked another dog when off the lead, then it is not under control, and the owner of the other dog could prosecute.

**Loula** · 24-02-2010, 11:07pm

Thanks for your replies ladies. It just worries me and does just smack of this owner being really irresponsible.

I couldn't find anything by googling that said the dog HAD to be on a lead, but good god it should be LAW shouldn't it?? Fair enough in a dog park or on your property but not where kids play. Grrr.

And Goldilocks it fecking gets on my nerves too....dogs are always lovely/friendly/don't bite etc. Of course. But what about those that have seriously injured or killed children? They probably didn't bite before that one time...??

**Solitaire** · 25-02-2010, 10:02am

I'm sure the RSPCA would be able to advise further.

**Damsella** · 25-02-2010, 10:07am

If the dog was only out on his own once last summer then surely it's not much of a problem? Perhaps you could talk to the owner and explain that your son is scared of dogs and could he keep the dog in his garden instead of letting it run loose.

**Tigerpants** · 25-02-2010, 10:11am

I'm right there with you

having had exactly the same sort of thing happen with my Fred

its a very difficult one.

And Damz I think Loula meant the one time was the one time it attacked another dog, not the one time it was out over the summer.