I’d like to explain the situation and be as fair as possible to both sides to get opinions.

I live in a gated community of about 200 homes. We share a decent sized park area in the middle of our community. This park has a kids playground area, and large grass area (about 200 feet by 200 feet).

One person has a dog that fetches a ball off-leash in the park. This dog appears to be well behaved. The owner appears to have the dog under control.

The second person walks his dog on leash. This owner’s dog barks and appears uncomfortable with the off-leash dog running and chasing the ball in the park.

Both owners keep their distance from the other. The owner with the off-leash dog tends to stay on the other side of the park as the owner with the leashed dog.

The owner with the leashed dog wants to walk around the park, but can’t with the off-leash dog running and fetching the ball with his owner.

Is there a problem here? If so, who is at fault? Should the owner with the off-leash dog respect the fact the leashed dog is clearly uncomfortable to be around an off-leash dog? Or should the owner of the leashed dog let the off-leash dog run in the park even if that makes things difficult for his own dog?

I’d love to get some opinions.

Thanks!

Are there posted park rules? What do they say about off-leash dogs?

If there aren't any, then should there be? I mean, even apart from these two particular dogs, doesn't it seem that posted rules about dogs in a mixed-use park like this are essential?

Ditto with Connie!

The on leash dog is simply excited and probably not uncomfortable.

I LOVE to let my dogs run loose but only in very safe areas where it is allowed.

I would think a 'gated" community would have rules concerning this so you could probably contact them about the rules.

Stay far away from any dog parks.

They are an accident waiting to happen.

There is a city ordinance rule posted that dogs are to be on leash in city limits. With this said, there are a handful of off leash dogs that use the community park.

Off-leash dogs in the park are a semi-regular thing and no one in the community has raised any concerns to crack down on them to this point.

If there is a rule that dogs are to be on leash, would you suggest the owner of the leashed dog call the board and ask them enforce this leash rule?

if the owner is willing then it's fine.

What about if I asked it like this...?


Without revealing which one I am just yet ...

A.) I am the owner of the off-leash dog:
I am in control of my dog and don't feel it is my responsibility to leave the park just because there is another dog uncomfortable with my dog running in the park. If the other dog can't handle my dog running around, he should walk his dog somewhere else.

B.) I am the owner of the leashed dog:
I feel the owner of the off-leash dog should either leash his dog or leave if it is clear there is another dog present that is visibly uncomfortable with that off-leash dog running around. I'd like to walk around the park, but can't.

Which of these two dog owners would be more "in the right" in their thinking?

You have a city ordinance, so B is definitally in the right. Even without ordinance In my opinion he'd be in the right in principle, but it always depends on the whole situation. If the off-leash dog behaves and his owner has a reliable recall, I'd not make a fuss about it. If he's not in control of his dog, then I'd insist that he takes him on-leash.

As your own dog doesn't feel comfortable, I'd try to speak about this with owner A. If possible once when you don't have your dog with you. Some people are open to a friendly discussion, others might have no insight. If the discussion should turn a bit excited I think it might have an even stronger intimidating effect on your dog and how the other one will react you can't know.

You say there is a "city ordinance rule posted." Posted at this park? If so, there is no excuse for dog owners to be unaware of it, and anyone who allows their dog to run loose in this park is in violation of the ordinance.

The owner in question may have his dog "under control," but that is a vague term that means different things to different people -- and dogs can do unexpected things. You say there are others who also let their dogs run loose in this park. You also say the park includes a children's playground area. I'm assuming it's not securely fenced off from the open part of the park where people walk their dogs. Running, squealing children and a loose, excitable dog are not a good mix, and accidents can happen.

So, if you are the owner of the loose dog, you are clearly in violation of a rule which has been put in place for the safety of all. Maybe you are absolutely certain that your dog is under your control and will never cause a problem. But you are setting an example for any and all others to bring loose dogs to this park, and those dogs may not be as well-trained as yours.

If you are the owner of the leashed dog, you have a decision to make. You can either take this to your community board and ask for stricter enforcement of the ordinance, or you can say nothing and walk your dog someplace else. I'm sure you are aware that there could be hard feelings and things could get a bit ugly. You have to decide if it's worth the risk.

All JMHO.

 Quote: Steve Tendler

I’d like to explain the situation and be as fair as possible to both sides to get opinions.

I live in a gated community of about 200 homes. We share a decent sized park area in the middle of our community. This park has a kids playground area, and large grass area (about 200 feet by 200 feet).

One person has a dog that fetches a ball off-leash in the park. This dog appears to be well behaved. The owner appears to have the dog under control.

The second person walks his dog on leash. This owner’s dog barks and appears uncomfortable with the off-leash dog running and chasing the ball in the park.

Both owners keep their distance from the other. The owner with the off-leash dog tends to stay on the other side of the park as the owner with the leashed dog.

The owner with the leashed dog wants to walk around the park, but can’t with the off-leash dog running and fetching the ball with his owner.

Is there a problem here? If so, who is at fault? Should the owner with the off-leash dog respect the fact the leashed dog is clearly uncomfortable to be around an off-leash dog? Or should the owner of the leashed dog let the off-leash dog run in the park even if that makes things difficult for his own dog?

I’d love to get some opinions.

Thanks!

1) OK, I will be "going against the grain" here a little bit, BUT:

2) I lean toward siding with the OFFLEAD dog owner in this Specific case...

3) Why should a Well Behaved VOICE-CONTROLED dog be Penalized under these circumstances?

A) The overly-excited ONLEAD dog can be walked Anywhere else in the gated community, NOT only in the park...

B) The "calm, obedient, Owner-Focused" dog can ONLY play long-fetch in the Park...

C) The person with the "problem" dog here is the Onlead-Walker -- He should NOT make unreasonable UNPROVOKED trouble for the Offlead-Retriever in this situation, IMHO

ETA: Gated Communities are often exempted from many City Ordinances, even Speed Limits -- Posted Rules are frequently enforceable ONLY by the HOA.

JMHO ....

I feel strongly that the person acting in accordance with the local law is in the right.

I'm not at all a fan of off-leash dog parks, but regardless of that opinion, I can't side with the person flouting the law. S/he can work to change it, though.