Dangan (dogs off leash)

cornbb

I think it should be ok to leave dogs off their leashes in at least some designated parts of the city, as long as their owner is watching them and controlling them appropriately... the vast majority of dogs wouldn't harm a fly in fairness. Some people are nervous around dogs, which I accept, but that's not justification enough to claim that they should be tied up because they might bite, despite the lack of any real evidence that a particular dog might do this.

The amount of dog crap around the place is a far bigger problem IMO, its disgusting and it does my nut in.

uriah

yourmano wrote: »

Right well two things. Just back from a lovely rainy walk with herself in Dangan. Dogs galore barking and chasing and following. Not too kind owners. There are signs down there and nobody seems to care. Is there anything that can be done?
Also where she lives her neighbours leave their dogs out unattended a lot and it really bothers her. She's not afraid of dogs but dislikes them due to a bad experience, surely dogs should indeed be on leads though?

As a concerned citizen, ring the dog warden and tell him about the 'stray dogs' bothering children. Give location.

This behaviour not acceptable to public or the dogs.

In my opinion, dogs should be on a leash when in public places.

yourmano

This really divides people though. I really never anticipated it would so much. I don't think gg or anyone else should have to forget about where they walk just because dogs go there, not that she said Dangan, or maybe I could be corrected here. Ah sure look, some people will just do as they like anyway I suppose, not much others can do about it but dog warden will be called over the neighbour's dog here. Snapped at herself this morning as she brought in the shopping and I mean SNAPPED. Owner nowhere to be seen, pretty sure they were gone.

Madame Razz

I have never been chased by a dog and/or snapped at or bitten by a dog

If you indicate to a dog that you aren't bothered by them they will tow the line, if you indicate to a dog that you are in some way afraid of them they will take full advantage.

Seriously, just relax around dogs and there won't be a problem(I appreciate that there are exceptions to this but they are few and far between IMO)

doubleglaze

gaeilgegrinds wrote: »

But when dogs are chasing me how I am supposed to think they are to do anything but come after me? Or should I wait til I'm bitten?

My spouse and I have walked in the park (each walk takes us about one hour) almost every single day for over three years and have never been chased by a dog.

Never.

Not once.

Not infrequently, a dog will meander up to us in the friendliest manner possible, much as the small toddlers might, and exhibit some degree of curiosity.

Neither I nor my spouse have ever been subject to any hostility whatsoever in the park by any living species - human or canine.

That said, I'm wondering whether, while in the park, you jog and whether that may be a stimulus to uncontrolled dogs with inappropriate herding instincts who view you as a sort of sheep to be rounded up.

I know of one neglected mongrel dog with a bit of a sheepdog in him (owned by a very dysfunctional individual) in one estate in town who chases people on bicyles. He did that to me once, I got down, called the dog over in the friendliest voice, made a complete fuss over him, and that was the end of the problem for me. I was prepared to give him a strong verbal reprimand first, followed, if necessary by a kick, if he tried to harrass me again, which he hasn't.

doubleglaze

yourmano wrote: »

This really divides people though. I really never anticipated it would so much. I don't think gg or anyone else should have to forget about where they walk just because dogs go there, not that she said Dangan, or maybe I could be corrected here. Ah sure look, some people will just do as they like anyway I suppose, not much others can do about it but dog warden will be called over the neighbour's dog here. Snapped at herself this morning as she brought in the shopping and I mean SNAPPED. Owner nowhere to be seen, pretty sure they were gone.

This certainly shouldn't be tolerated. Options here are:

• Note in the neighbour's letter box explaining what's going on;

• Call the dog warden;

• Next time the dog starts coming aggressively towards herself, she should pretend she is a pitbull terrier and snarl at the dog while running towards it and preparing to give it a kick in the balls unless the dog retreats.

gaeilgegrinds

Yes I jog/run. And as has been pointed out to me pretty much anytime a dog does chase me, if and when an owner is good enough to rescue me, I shouldn't cos it gets them riled up. Ah I think I'll just have to stick to running with my club, least then we're not as easy to pick on!

doubleglaze

Joggers have the right to jog without being annoyed by dogs. Dog owners who are unable to control their dogs should keep them on a lead until such a time as the dog can be fully trusted not to annoy other members of the public. These owners should bring their dog for dog training, invest in a good book, or see if any good training programme is available for free on the internet. The Galway Dog Club runs many such courses. (I'm not a member of the club, so I'm not pitching for business.)

It's a form of neglect to allow dogs develop anti-social behaviours. The longer the behaviour continues, the greater the neglect. :mad:

milktwosugars

So I think we've come to a conclusion, dog's who chase or exhibit agressive tendencies should be kept on the lead, perhaps indefinitely.

Those dogs who are like happy little toddlers going over to people for the chat are fine, should be allowed of the lead for some socialising between owners and pets alike.

lightening

This is gas... It's like America now, the hysteria is a joke. How many people have actually been savaged by the dogs in Dangan?

claw14 wrote: »

If I see a dog running towards either of my kids (Tail up or not) I will let fly with hurl or foot.

One sure way to get yourself or your kids bitten, nice one.

EJLL

Growing up in Newcastle close to the river I found the walk towards Dangan the best way to relax and get away from it all. I've never found dogs an issue. If anything being approached by a dog is enjoyable (probably because I never had one).

Funnily enough the one thing that annoys me about Dangan is joggers. Having a jogger come speeding past you from behind while taking a peaceful stroll breaks the tranquility. :P

milktwosugars

I concur...The amount of men running around in those tiny shorts down there is off putting. I'm a young girl who likes to bring her dog for a nice peaceful walk but on more than three occassions I've seen a little peek a boo from their little guys. I'm not a pervert, I don't actively seek this out, it just jumps right out.

Creeeeepy. Now exposing your little fellows in public, that's a big deal.

Svalbard

forumfiend wrote: »

I would love to know what you mean by "tinkerish kind" in the hope that you are not referring to me. I walk my dogs in Dangan all the time and having lived here all my life I feel well entitled to. I bring leads and use them when there are people around. When there is nobody around I let the dogs run free and sometimes let them in for a swim. Sometimes it can happen that a runner suddenly appears from behind, or we turn a corner and bump into another person or another dog, and when that happens the dogs sometimes react - as dogs do whenever something sudden or unexpected happens - by barking or chasing, and I react by calming them down and apologising if anyone is upset.

In all the years I've been doing that, many many people have stopped to chat because of the dogs and only once has anyone ever got thick with me and complained. There are good and bad (not to mention tinkerish) dog owners so please don't tar them all with the same brush.

So these are the parts of this post that I found most parochial and creepy. Any other takers?

I think the real and only solution would be a designated dog run in the city. The idea is a bit out there, I know. As a non-Galwegian blow-in I should probably not be giving my opinion here though.

forumfiend

Svalbard wrote: »

So these are the parts of this post that I found most parochial and creepy. Any other takers?

No other takers obviously.

I'm amazed that anyone could react like this to what I thought was a harmless comment expressing in a reasonable way the point of view of many local people who for years have had a tradition of dog-walking in Dangan without causing upset to anyone. If you think it was parochial then fair enough, sure isn't the whole Galway forum parochial by definition? But "creepy"? That's a very strange word to use, offensive even.

Svalbard wrote: »

I think the real and only solution would be a designated dog run in the city. The idea is a bit out there, I know. As a non-Galwegian blow-in I should probably not be giving my opinion here though.

If I understood your idea I might comment on it but it's petulant nonsense to say you shouldn't express an opinion because you're "a non-Galwegian blow-in". How would anybody know you weren't from Galway if you hadn't drawn attention to it yourself?

Svalbard

forumfiend wrote: »

No other takers obviously.

I'm amazed that anyone could react like this to what I thought was a harmless comment expressing in a reasonable way the point of view of many local people who for years have had a tradition of dog-walking in Dangan without causing upset to anyone. If you think it was parochial then fair enough, sure isn't the whole Galway forum parochial by definition? But "creepy"? That's a very strange word to use, offensive even.

Perhaps I have read one too many Galway Advertiser editorials, so i assume all Galwegians of a certain age are small minded, insular and smug.

forumfiend wrote: »

If I understood your idea I might comment on it but it's petulant nonsense to say you shouldn't express an opinion because you're "a non-Galwegian blow-in". How would anybody know you weren't from Galway if you hadn't drawn attention to it yourself?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog_park

forumfiend

Svalbard wrote: »

Perhaps I have read one too many Galway Advertiser editorials, so i assume all Galwegians of a certain age are small minded, insular and smug.

Oh, that's alright then. I thought you were just picking on me.

BTW, just as a matter of interest, the editor of the Advertiser is not a Galwegian.

gaeilgegrinds

Is Dangan a dog park? Just out of interest. I thought it was set aside as a sportground. Not trying to be smart but it's a revelation to be if it is!

claw14

No it is not a dog park, it is a sports ground. And if I am not mistaken there is a sign half way down the road on the left stating that all dogs must be kept on a leash at all times.
But that’s only a sign..............:rolleyes:

TristanPeter

claw14 wrote: »

No it is not a dog park, it is a sports ground. And if I am not mistaken there is a sign half way down the road on the left stating that all dogs must be kept on a leash at all times.
But that’s only a sign..............:rolleyes:

I think this thread has come full circle. It's nonsense!

DaveMaC

Its the dog crap that kills me. and the barking. i have to say i was delighted to hear that dogs were banned from the beach, although i really sympathise with decent dog owners taking flack because of the sort of people who walk down Salthill promenade -not only allowin, but ENCOURAGING their precious canine to defecate on the pavement. I have seen it over and over... i once challenged a lady, informing her that her dog had just left a squidgy steaming mess over there. Got a great reply: "Oh My dog would never do that...." I mean how do you beat that? It took a campaign of signs, ads, heavy fines and Law enforcement to clean the dog-crap off Salthill promenade.
Its just like anything else -its all about manners -if you want to be free to keep your dog in a housing estate, or to walk it around in a public park -why not just respect the majority who dont like stepping in dog crap, and dont like being kept awake by crazy mongrels barking at nothing. Unfortunately it only takes one a**hole and his neglected mutt to give all you dogowners a bad name.
One modest proposal: Dog license should only be granted with conditions, ie: training, leash, etc... fail to follow the laws and lose the right to own a dog.

doubleglaze

milktwosugars wrote: »

So I think we've come to a conclusion, dog's who chase or exhibit agressive tendencies should be kept on the lead, perhaps indefinitely.

Those dogs who are like happy little toddlers going over to people for the chat are fine, should be allowed of the lead for some socialising between owners and pets alike.

That about sums it up.

Svalbard

doubleglaze wrote: »

That about sums it up.

Sorry to re hash an old thread that has been so neatly tied up but....

My dog is a complete softie, loves people, very sociable, especially loves kids. Does not bark, never mind bite (unless you count ear-nibbling). He's also very obedient and patient.

He's also a Boxer.

People are automatically fearful of some breeds of dog regardless of their true nature.

So should my dog be allowed to roam free, or leashed and muzzled?

doubleglaze

Svalbard wrote: »

Sorry to re hash an old thread that has been so neatly tied up but....

My dog is a complete softie, loves people, very sociable, especially loves kids. Does not bark, never mind bite (unless you count ear-nibbling). He's also very obedient and patient.

He's also a Boxer.

People are automatically fearful of some breeds of dog regardless of their true nature.

So should my dog be allowed to roam free, or leashed and muzzled?

Your dog is not required, by law, to be leashed, but is required to be kept under effective control at all times, when in public places.

Use your common sense and steer the dog away from situations likely to make people uncomfortable. Keep a leash handy, but give him a good runaround off-leash every day.