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Clik here to view.Many people think of their dogs as family members and want to make their lives as happy as possible. They may feel guilty not letting their dog go free sometimes in places other than their backyard to explore. After all, that’s what dogs like to do. However, owners who let their dogs go free—often in violation of local leash laws—lose control of their dogs and increase the danger that their dogs will bite someone.
Five Ways Keeping a Dog on a Lease Reduces the Risk of Its Attacking
Pinellas County—like many communities in Florida—has a leash law that prohibits dog owners from allowing their dogs to run at large in the community. In addition, the county currently has six dog parks where dogs can run free. So there is no excuse for people not to keep their dogs on leashes in other public places.
Keeping a dog leashed protects a dog from running into the street if it gets excited or from getting into something dangerous for him—like a poisonous plant or toxic trash—at a park or in the woods. In addition, this reduces the danger that the dog would attack and bite someone. Leashes prevent dog bites against four noteworthy targets:
- Other dogs. Even if a dog is friendly, other dogs around him may be aggressive. An unleashed dog faces an increased risk of getting into a fight with another unfriendly dog, which could result in the dog owners trying to separate the animals getting bitten.
- Fearful people. Many people are afraid of dogs, and their anxiety would increase at seeing a dog running at large. Dogs can often sense a person’s fear and could respond to his fearful response by attacking and biting him.
- Frail people. Some people—especially the elderly—may not be physically able to handle a dog jumping on them, whether it is friendly or not. Not only could the person suffer injuries from a fall, but his anxiety at a dog charging toward him could result in the dog feeling threatened and biting him.
- Small dogs. Large dogs can see a small dog as prey. If the smaller dog is off its leash, it could get attacked and possibly killed. One or both of the owners could suffer life-threatening injuries trying to protect the smaller animal.
Standing above all these is the fact that the leash represents control. The bottom line is that an owner cannot control his dog that is running wild. Even a well-behaved dog may not mind his owner if it is excited or feels threatened and could attack someone.
Were you or a family member bitten by a dog that was not on a leash? You could be entitled to compensation from the dog owner for your injuries. Call us at (727) 345-4566 to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.