While reading this article keep in mind that I like dogs. We don’t need more regulations or police involvement in issues with dogs.
With that in mind, what a strange question: Are dog owners a threat? I don’t think dogs are necessarily a threat, but I’m not so sure about dog owners, especially owners of large dogs.
I have noticed an increasing number of people in Fayette County carry a stick, pole, or even a club when going for a walk in their neighborhood. This may seem strange, but when I think back on my own experiences, I have been the victim of a number of dog attacks and bites.
For instance, a few years ago I heard a dog barking loudly in my front yard. Upon investigation, I found my exterminator service man on the top of the cab of his truck fighting off the neighbors’ very large dog. Only a large shovel persuaded the dog to give up the attack.
The dog owner’s response was, “Oh, she won’t hurt you.”
This past year I experienced an unprovoked attack from a very large dog while on the golf course. I was alerted to the blindside attack by the owner loudly yelling to try and call off the dog.
Luckily, I had a golf club in my hand and was able to effectively protect myself. The owner’s response was, “Oh, he won’t bite.”
Then this past week I was walking the cart path when I spotted a woman up ahead walking a very large German shepherd — I mean an extremely large German shepherd, one of the biggest I have ever seen.
When the woman saw me coming opposite to her direction, to her credit, she pulled the dog off the side of the cart path to wait for me to pass.
As I approached, the dog began barking loudly and became increasingly aggressive.
After I passed by, I heard a commotion and turned to see the German shepherd had pulled the woman down and was dragging her across the ground by the leash attached to her wrist.
The woman had a sling on her arm and was yelling frantically for the dog to stop. The woman was obviously in pain and hurt, but she refused my help and there was nothing I could do because of her out-of-control dog.
Dog owners, if your dog barks incessantly and you do nothing to stop them, then your dog is out of control and you apparently don’t have any respect for your neighbors.
Dog owners, what do you think an appropriate response is from a pedestrian if they are attacked or threatened by your dog? What if the pole or club the pedestrian is carrying is not enough to protect themselves? What’s next?
Dog owners, don’t say to someone that your dog is attacking or threatening, “Oh, he/she won’t hurt/bite you!”
This is the worst thing you can say, because all you know is that your dog won’t hurt or bite you, and you have no idea what your dog will do to someone else.
If you do find yourself saying this, your dog is out of control.
Let’s keep Fayette County safe.
Ron Finch
Peachtree City, Ga.
