Heads Up to Shannondale Owners of Unleashed Dogs

[what_is_my_login]

Once again while walking my dog I had to deal with a large unleashed dog in the road while also trying to deal with my own dog (on leash.) No thank you anymore.
The number for animal control is 728 - 3289
The emergency dispatch is 725-8484

I am sorry to have to become like this because I feel sorry for the dogs, it is the owners I have a problem with, but from now on I will be carrying around a video phone so I can get video of your loose dogs. I will also have the animal control numbers on speed dial. And, not only will I be doing this during my daily walks, but in my car, when I have to stop because dogs are running unleashed across roads, I will be taking pictures and calling animal control.

I would love to take my children and dog on long walks around Shannondale, but because of the uncertainty of dogs, we are limited to a one mile radius, and even that, as was the case this morning, is not always safe.

If you own a dog what can you do? Leash walk your dog - if I and many others can get up and out rain or shine so can you, and if you truly can not then hire some one. Invest in some fencing, traditional or electric (under $ 250 at Petco.) Expensive? Maybe, but if your dog bites me, my children or my dog while on leash, the expense will be far greater. Years ago a very well known friendly dog walked out on to Johnny cake, and completely unprovoked bit my then pre-teen age daughter. It was so unlike this dog that te owners couldn't believe it, but it happened. The dog was elderly, who knows what he was thinking, but the point is that even the sweetest of dogs can be a threat to a passer by.

Thank you for your cooperation in making Shannondale a more walker friendly place.

[KatherineA]

A big HOOORA for you Whats! I am so tired of being afraid to walk where I live. I carry a huge walking stick - which is just ridiculous. Am seriously considering doggie mace.

[austrianalps]

But, I have found the DNR trails, there are 3 trailheads along Mission Rd. to be wonderful! I'm almost always the only one walking them and it is a nice walk in the woods without fear of loose dogs. I highly recommend them, but wear orange during hunting season!!

Thanks for giving up the secret :rolleyes:

Ahhhh, just kidding.... see you on the trail ;)

[lar]

I agree, I have running dogs on occasion, but I am afraid of other peoples dogs and I can totally relate to what you are saying.

[spazkatz]

Fortunately, things where we walk are not as bad as they used to be. When the leash law came in, it really cleaned up the errant mutts. However, we still carry pepper spray.

[Zookie]

A few weeks back my husband was bitten by a dog while riding his hd on our road. The owner had the "whatever" & "my dog doesn't like motorcyles" attitude. No apology, no nothing. We haven't decided how to pursue this. Meanwhile, he ended up with ER bill, tet shot, antibiotics for six days & nasty scar. Our neighbors drive their children to the bus stop because of this dog. This dog has also attacked a leashed dog walking with its owner. We're very frustrated.

[beckythemom]

With the sheer amount of middle and high school kids that roam freely (and unfortunately, some older elementary school kids) through Shannondale, I'm really surprised something horrible hasn't happened. This brings to mind though, if people won't keep their kids in the yard, and let them roam freely through the mountain, why should we expect them to do the same for their pets?

Zookie, in Virginia if a dog bites someone then in most circumstances it has to be put down. You might want to call and check into WV's stance on that.

[walkinglady]

I second the motion. I carry both a "walking" stick and a type of mace when I walk the roads of Shannondale. What gets me more than anything else is the defensive attitude of dog owners whose pets are running loose and barking and acting aggressively towards me.

[Jeremy]

Bad thing about the "Leash Law" is the good ones. We have a dog that's been around for about 8 years and everyone calls him the community dog. Now with the law in, it SUCKS!

[OzGirl]

Zookie you need to write/document everytime you see the dog loose. Contact animal patrol and they will have to give him a 1st warning before they can take it any further, so get your neighbors to do the same thing. Take photos and document, the call it in.

A friend up here has her neighbors pitbull harassing her and her cats in her own yard and driveway - its just not right.

[Mommyof3]

Zookie- my son got bit by a family dog (my sisters dog), and when we took him to the ER they brought in a deputy or animal control or someone to file a report (we didn't plan to report it because it was a family dog), they insisted and the dog had to be quarantined for 10 days.

You should definately report it if you haven't already.

[Zookie]

We were surprised that the ER called in Animal Control & they made a report. But we haven't heard from them since the incident. We're thinking of handing it over to our home owners agent to handle. My neighbors have all been supportive and want this dog removed from our road. We'll see.

[Girlyjeep]

There is a VERY aggressive lab near our house. When we walk by he breaks through his electric fence to get to our dog. I don't go that way any more and it pisses me off that we have to change our route because of this dog.

Where can I pick up some pepper spray in the area?

[lar]

I know I am repeating myself from previous topics like this, but:

People think their dogs are "community dogs" and everyone loves them but do you really know what your dog is doing while it is wandering the neighborhood? It could be in people's trash, you just don't know, which is equally unappreciated.

I used to be of the "community dog" mindset and believe me it is almost not worth having a dog trying to keep my own in my own yard.

And, when my dogs killed at cat, we got reported to Animal Control, and we had to quarantine them for 10 days, luckily we got to do it at home because we have a kennel.

[AAT53]

Let me start by saying that we have three dogs and I am a dog lover.

That being said, any owner who thinks it is fine to let their dog roam is wrong. We have had our two oldest dogs for 13 years. They have never bitten anybody, but they are animals and anything is possible. I have never understood any dog owner saying "my dog is so sweet he/she would never bite anybody". I just don't get it. They are animals and there is ALWAYS the possibility that they can bite. That is their defensive move and one never knows what could make them feel defensive.

[LFE]

Hopefully you would never have to use it, however a gun might be more effective then a stick or mace (plus it can help elminate finding the dog after a problem occurs with it).

I love my dogs, however I would blame someone for shooting them if they were not under my control, in a public area and viewed as a threat to others.

[lar]

Just like years ago we never blamed our neighbor for running over and killing our dog who was in the street when it was dark.

[beckythemom]

Let me start by saying that we have three dogs and I am a dog lover.

That being said, any owner who thinks it is fine to let their dog roam is wrong. We have had our two oldest dogs for 13 years. They have never bitten anybody, but they are animals and anything is possible. I have never understood any dog owner saying "my dog is so sweet he/she would never bite anybody". I just don't get it. They are animals and there is ALWAYS the possibility that they can bite. That is their defensive move and one never knows what could make them feel defensive.

I agree! Ginger is the sweetest dog ever, with a wonderful personality and is a real people person. However, this one time someone was over and in a friendly debate. She was curled up at my feet. As the debate grew more animated, she grew more agitated, sitting up and starting in with the low growling. I think if I hadn't stopped to tell her that things were okay, she probably would've lunged.

[Jeremy]

Just like years ago we never blamed our neighbor for running over and killing our dog who was in the street when it was dark.


So same would go for parents who let their kids run around at dark? Just wondering:confused:

[lar]

So same would go for parents who let their kids run around at dark? Just wondering:confused:
Sort of I guess, but there is a difference between a human and an animal. Circumstances . . .

[austrianalps]

So same would go for parents who let their kids run around at dark? Just wondering:confused:

Lets see:

-when a child bites you, you don't have to get a rabies shot.

-when you run over a child with your car you usually don't look for the tags on it's collar to let the owner know of the terrible incidence.

-the neighbor kids generally don't scatters my trash to get some scraps out of it to eat.

-animal control does not do anything for unleashed children.


:D


Sorry, but I just had to.....

[longleaf]

Lets see:

-when a child bites you, you don't have to get a rabies shot.

-when you run over a child with your car you usually don't look for the tags on it's collar to let the owner know of the terrible incidence.

-the neighbor kids generally don't scatters my trash to get some scraps out of it to eat.

-animal control does not do anything for unleashed children.


:D


Sorry, but I just had to.....
I have a problem with the neighbor's kids pooping in my bushes....

[AAT53]

So same would go for parents who let their kids run around at dark? Just wondering:confused:

I must have missed the law that says all children must be leashed. Yeah, I know...I'm sure someone will be posting their fascinatingly funny joke about how kids should be leashed. Let me just HAHA ahead of time...

Seriously, two very different situations. Yes, I know there can be many jokes about kids biting, whatever, etc. The thing is that there are laws saying dogs can not roam, so if a dog is roaming and gets hit by a car then the owners of said dog have nobody to blame but themselves.

Same as with cats. Cat owners who pull the "but cats must roam" argument take the risk that their cat will roam into the path of a vehicle and get killed. If it happens they have nobody to blame but themselves.

[MountainMoon22]

I agree, there is no excuse for community dogs - it's irresponsible and potentially dangerous for the dog and the community. People often misjudge how "loved" their pet is in the neighborhood.

[deltavolt]

just moved here a few months ago and my neighbors dog seem to only want to urinate on my back deck. i lived around some bad neighborhoods but didn't start carrying pepper spray until i got here. some of you might recognize my dog in the picture and you will know she is a sweety but always on a leash. there is a tiny dog really close to the mailboxes that my wife is terrified of and she can't wait for a good reason to test that pepper spray.
where can i get pepper spray= got mine on ebay
some of you say to take video and call animal control. why? what are they gonna do? not what are they suppose to do but really what WILL they do?

[austrianalps]

some of you say to take video and call animal control. why? what are they gonna do? not what are they suppose to do but really what WILL they do?

When we needed animal control the officers tried to be really helpful. They explained to us that a person needs proof that the particular dog was in their yard or in the street. A picture taken by phone or video is sufficient to impound the dog. Usually said dogs are running back to their own property when chased and animal control can't proof the dog was out. The photo is clear evidence. Then the owner at least has to pay a fee or the dog will have a new chance for a better home.
Calling animal control is worth it and that is what they are there for.

[lar]

We were having a photo faceoff here where I live. My neighbor got my dogs on photo and reported them, I got in trouble. Then I started photoing everytime THEIR dogs came in my yard. It's been a couple years now, but at the time it was getting pretty ugly. Yes, Animal Control takes photos into account.

[what_is_my_login]

You can get pepper spray at outfitter stores, such as the one in Harpers Ferry, or the one in Brunswick in the Superfresh shopping strip.

[Dhyana]

A neighbor, New Year fire starter, had a dog who literally pulled me off a bike while I was riding down the middle of the road. TM acted very poorly to my concern, so I reported the dog to Animal Control. Other neghbors were afraid to walk pass his house and used a baseball bat for protection. Even now TM gets really angry if you even cause his dog to bark. I think the pets reflect the nature of the human. From what I remember if there are three complaints the dog is taken away from the owner.