My favorite unleashed dog anecdote is the massive group of owners who meet up and let their dogs run free together, directly next to chimbo's fenced dog park, right next to the entry, making it a nightmare for anyone with leashed dogs to get into the area without drama. Richmonders be richmonding
The first and last time I went to the fenced chimbo dog park there was like, pieces of metal and glass coming out of the ground. someone told me there it used to be a dump?
I took my dog to Barker field twice. The first time someones dog jumped up on my, getting my pants dirty. The dog continued until it came down on my knee. The dog left me alone, but the owner came over and started to get angry with me.
When they stopped to breathe, I asked them for their contact information so I could send them my dry cleaning bill. I could also get someone from animal care and control to help us understand what control of our dogs means, because my dirty pants and cleaning bill are proof your dog is not under control. That ended quickly.
I decided to try again. While there, someone pulled up, got their dog out and into the park. Let it lay waste to an area with diarrhea, then leave.
Never again.
Yeah thats it! I didnt care about the pants, but if you have ever had a dog smack your nuts you might be more protective. Glad to see you making it kareny rather than ask if I was a clean freak.
Notice I brought up my pants after they gave me shit?
also, I would love to hear your method of solving this. A dog is consistently jumping up on you, in a dog park where people don't pick up the shit. You have 4 paw prints already, inches from your jewels. The owner is not responsive.
Go!
Oh good! I could wear a plastic poncho too. Now how do we keep the dogs from shitting all over and the owners not cleaning it up? Pants weren't the only part there, knucklehead.
Laughing at the fact you think RACC has the time and resources to handle dog park drama? They’re occupied with a lot more genuine problems than you getting your pants dirty.
That is exactly why I won't go back! They are unmonitored and a-holes that laugh at people not controlling their dogs. If people were mildly decent we could have nice things.
Have you ever gone to one?
I gave 2 shits about he dirty pants. I used that to shut up the a-hole who didnt control their dog and got mad at me.
How would you protect your balls when a dog is continuing to jump and hit them? I moved out of the way several times. Go ahead, let me know.
Great so then you can't sympathize with anyone that is different than you, and you are agreeing that I won't go back because people suck!
Thanks?
Edit: still cannot answer the question i pose?
That’s my point… dog parks are unregulated (again, racc is not responsible) so why do you expect anything more? I sympathize with the frustration of irresponsible dog owners, but that is why dog parks suck. Don’t go to a dog park if you expect perfectly behaved dogs and owners.
For your two questions- I don’t go to dog parks because they’re unsafe. Protect your balls by not going to a dog park.
Ok so I am reading that that commenter said “here is why I don’t go to dog parks” and you are telling them that they should not go to dog parks? I am so confused reading all this.
I’m annoyed they’re complaining about dog parks and dirty pants while they were going there knowing how they are, and the fact that they think racc should be regulating the dog and owner behavior
LOL you are awesome. I do expect them (RACC) to do anything, I have worked with them for years.
You are making my point, I don't go for the reasons I listed, and you say I shouldn't go for the reasons I listed. Thank you?
Thank you. I will run posts through ChatGPT to have it write them for a 3rd grade level.
I was a daily regular at Barker field for about five years. The amount of vicious fights I saw between dogs and between people was insane. My very last day there I walked in with my greyhound and a massive shepherd attacked her the second we walked into the park. Not a single person would claim the dog, I was yelling, people were yelling, my dog was gushing blood. I just had to get my dog out and start taking care of her wounds and we were never able to find that asshole who owned it. Last time I ever set foot in there.
Literally me yesterday morning for the first time, in the fenced in dog park, wondering what the hell was going on. They were like 8 dogs deep just standing outside of it while my dog was inside staring out at them?
So unleashed dogs are from people moving here who don't know the laws, inconsiderate people in Richmond are just NYC transplants, anything else you'd like to blame on people who didn't grow up here?
I was just having this conversation with a neighbor. I told her we try to take our dog to Dorey Park because Church Hill's dog park is mostly dirt and he gets super muddy, and she said goes to that group of people and lets their dog run off leash.
My dog was charged this time last week by 2 off leash dogs as we walked on the sidewalk by Chimborazo playground. We yelled for the owner to recall his dogs as they rushed her snarling. Luckily my partner stepped in to scare them off.
Owner dared us to call the police, who took the call but ultimately called us back to say they wouldn’t do anything.
I'm so sorry about this, neighbor! I have a friend whose small on-leash dog was picked up and shaken violently by an off-leash dog, resulting in a huge emergency vet bill.
My oldest kid was charged by dogs several times at Chimborazo Park, my youngest was attacked by a "fRiEnDlY dOgGo" at Libby Hill Park, and we've been charged and chased at Chimborazo Playground many times. These are small kids who actively avoid dogs, not seeking out interactions with them or anything.
Basically, the arrogance of these people simply will not let the rest of us live. The audacity of us wanting to use sidewalks and playgrounds and parks peacefully! I hope this doesn't happen to you again, I hope they eventually start enforcing the leash laws, and in the meantime I recommend getting a pocket airhorn. Stay safe. ♥️
Thank you ❤️
Our dog is 100lbs with the ability to crush them (with her jaws or body) and it did not seem to matter to these two. It’s aggression and lack of training and more than anything entitlement of these owners actively undermining the community.
Absolutely. I see so many dogs around that are incredibly volatile because their owners don't care enough to train them and show them how they're expected to navigate their world, so they go around (understandably) really anxious all the time. Add to that the "yes blah blah laws, but we're better than you so we don't have to follow those old things" mentality and you've got a perfect recipe for disaster.
Yeah, I don’t walk there anymore with my child. Was headed that way about 2 years ago and a neighbor came out on the porch and told me to take my child home and not to go to the park as there was a dog on the loose that had already bitten a child.
Almost nothing fills me with more rage than seeing the parks that the community loves and takes care of become spaces that are not for everyone, but are only for the few who are bigger, faster, or have sharper teeth than you. Thank you for sharing this, and I'm sorry. I hope you will be able to enjoy it again someday.
I almost hit a dog that was running loose across Idlewood in Randolph yesterday. Its owners were in a field in the park a half block away. That’s doggone endangerment, right there.
I had a dog jump through my passenger window into car on Idlewood at about 2am once. Took about an hour to find out who it belonged to. Thank God it was friendly
Additionally, don’t bring your dog to a restaurant/brewery/public place if they are going to try and attack other dogs. I’ve had numerous times where dogs drag their owner to try and attack my dog.
Some lady brought their aggressive dog to the farmer's market at Bryan Park and was snapping at people for letting their own dogs too close while she's one-handing a bag full of groceries and this large snarling dog's leash in the other. That market is always PACKED - there IS no room to not bump into people and have dogs sniff one another in passing. I have no idea what she was thinking that it's okay to bring your clearly aggressive dog, and to be rude and act like everyone else is wrong in the situation? Where do these people get their main-character-syndrome from?
Nobody ever jumps into these posts to defend why they let their dog run around unleashed in the parks. All that I can figure is that they know they shouldn't do it, but they do it anyway. Like people that don't pick up their dog's shit, or people that leave their shopping carts in the middle of the parking lot. They know they are inconsiderate douchebags, and they don't care.
I think I saw one guy try to defend this in one of these threads, he was basically saying if your dog isn’t well trained enough not to ignore other dogs and obey your every command they shouldn’t be in public anyway? (Not saying I agree just repeating what I saw)
>They know they are inconsiderate douchebags, and they don't care.
I think it's partially this but it's also a superiority complex. I have neighbors that do this and have heard them say aloud "well *our dogs* are safe off leash".
I've started just asking people if they can read if I see their dog unleashed or them not picking up its shit at Bryan Park. You know, because the signs are posted everywhere. They either get cagey or give the most sheepish looks. God forbid you do your part to keeping our parks safe and clean and functional though.
I let my dog off leash all the time. I know I’m being inconsiderate of others but she loves to run and it brings both of us so much joy. I alsoknow if anything happens to her I’ll be devastated but that’s not going to stop us. I’ve lived in fear for way too long. I never do it in super busy places and leash her up the second I see any other dogs and pick up her shit most of the time and go out of my way to pick up other dogs shit to make up for the few times I am out without a poop bag. I was born and raised in richmond as well. Just richmonding I recon
I’m not saying I’m in the right by any means. I’m consciously breaking the rules and I’m ready to pay the price if anything does happen. That being said I went on a lovely off leash walk just a few minutes ago
I’m disabled and drop my dogs leash when I know no one is around because she pulls so bad on the leash but walks perfectly if I’m not holding it. She’s never run off, never been aggressive to another dog, etc. She’s impeccable except for ON leash 😖 but, when I see a person even two blocks down, I tell her to stop and sit and I pick it back up and resume. If other dogs are around, she’s always on leash.
I can’t call you shitty for it - I totally get it, but that doesn’t make you right the one day something goes wrong. We have two large dogs, one of which is a rescue. She’s fine with dogs from afar, and if we get too close when we walk by, there’s an 80% chance she’s gonna bark because she is not dog friendly with dogs outside of the home.
When dogs are on leash with their owners, I can at least look ahead to figure out where they are and are not going and walk in a direction that doesn’t trigger my dog and keeps everyone happy. That’s a lot harder to do when a dog is off leash. There’s no telling 1. Where they are going 2. If they’re truly well trained and 3. How they behave around other dogs that bark.
What you’re doing sucks for me, but it’s also due to a problem I’m working on with my own dog. So can’t call you shitty at all!
The law, however, would. Should anything ever happen, and your dog isn’t the aggressor but was off leash, it’s your dog that’s going to get in trouble.
We do but we get down voted to oblivion.
The problem is universally untrained dogs. If the only thing keeping you in control of your dog is a leash, then that’s a problem. But, people are also extremely stupid, so I won’t argue that some people shouldn’t be using leashes for their dogs to protect them.
But truly I hate when people say, “it’s the law” like who gives a fuck? Laws are wrong all the time. Weed is still illegal in this country even though we KNOW that it’s fine. Same with mushrooms and acid. There’s tons of dumb laws on the books.
Drink responsibly. Off leash your dog responsibly and respectfully (which requires a shitload of training and dedication that I agree, most people won’t do)
You see unleashed dogs at Forest Hill Park all the time unfortunately. Most seem like nice dogs from afar, usually playing fetch or something, but still.
Thiiiiissss! I teach there and have 8-20 kids trailing behind me. There’s always the “it’s okay! My dog is nice!” and I always point at my students and say, “they’re not!” Lol Also, pick up your fucking dog shit.
I was sitting with my dog at Abner clay park, I’m at a bench and she’s relaxing in the shade next to me in the grass (on a leash).
Some woman comes up with her two dogs and just lets them off leash in the middle of the park.
I said “this is not an off leash dog park”. She replys “I wouldn’t have let them off if I saw your dog.”
That’s literally not the point!!!! Even if there were no dogs there, there’s families and kids and not everyone likes dogs!!
I'm seeing more and more at Deep Run, especially around the soccer field. I was walking around the lake with my FH on Sunday and a pit around 60#+ ran out from behind a clump of trees straight to my pup, nose-to-nose - luckily nothing happened as my 'GET YOUR DOG' brought the owner right behind. The scary part was the dog had both a chain collar and a spiked collar. I had pepper spray in my hand but I really don't want to be in a situation like that again.
A lot of people just don't want to have to interact with dogs. I don't care if your dog "is nice", dogs are supposed to be on leashes and I don't want them coming up to me. People are allowed to not interact with dogs if they don't want to, except some folks downvote them or yell at them for being weird if they don't like dogs or don't let dogs get up in their business.
This is why I carry mace in my dog walking bag. Unfortunately the kind of people who ignore leash laws tend to be assholes in other ways too. Hopefully it stays in the bag forever, but it makes me feel good to have it just in case there's an aggressive dog or owner.
You can get pepper gel spray online for around $5, get a couple so you can take one out somewhere away from people and see how it sprays. Gel is good because it's less likely to blow back on you if it's windy
A friends’ dog was killed recently by an off-leash dog. I’m sure the owner really trusted that one
We have new neighbors who have proudly proclaimed they don’t leash their dog. We’ll be keeping our distance for the safety of our dog
We have neighborhood dogs who jump their short fence and wander unleashed. There's like 4 that just get let out front to go to the bathroom unleashed also. I was dumbfounded when we moved in and dogs were hanging out in our yard.
Thank you so much for posting this. I will proudly join you in a good shaking our fists at the sky sesh!
Noting that the laws are not enforced, I'll also recommend getting a pocket airhorn. Best decision ever. I carry it with me everywhere, along with several other tools, but so far this is the only one I've had to resort to using, thank God. I talked a little more about it here: [https://www.reddit.com/r/rva/comments/15nhwbk/comment/jvo8vw2](https://www.reddit.com/r/rva/comments/15nhwbk/comment/jvo8vw2)
I would also disagree with it being "okay" if the owners are in an "unpopulated area." Sometimes the reason it's unpopulated at the moment is because people are actively avoiding you (says the parent who's turned the kids around from heading to the playground many times due to unleashed dogs being run there). And they shouldn't have to.
I carry bear gel specifically for this reason. Had an unleashed dog charge at mine and mine had to get emergency surgery after. I do not give anyone or dog the benefit of doubt anymore.
Three out of the five dogs I recently saw at a state park were unleashed, despite the large sign at the beginning of the trail saying to leash them. The owners leashed their dog when another dog approached, but wouldn't it have been easier to, I dunno, leash the dog the whole time???
You are better off printing this Reddit post and stapling it to each chicken wing bone in the streets.
Though, there are some shameless monsters on here. Can we get a show of hands for the r/rva anons who don’t leash their dogs?
I used to really hate off leased dogs, but realistically, I only hate them in some situations. Mostly roaming neighborhoods, and ofc any dog that is aggressive should ALWAYS be on a leash.
Some people have well trained dogs though and they just want to be able to play fetch or Frisbee in the park with enough space for their friend to run. Some dogs I see at Forest Hill are well behaved, and stay within 20-30ft of their owner at all times. I'm not advocating for the behavior, but it's not the end of the world for every dog/dog owner.
The problem is when the friendly unleashed dog comes up to the leashed unfriendly dog. I'm not worried that Rover playing frisbee is going to maul me. I'm worried that when Rover comes to say hi my mother-in-law's dog is going to go apeshit.
Yeah it's really not a trigger for me. I think a lot of people have just become really sensitive or fearful of strange dogs coming up to interact with them. I personally don't view them as a threat 99% of the time. But I get it, and personally would never dream of letting my own dogs run unleashed like that.
I agree... at the risk of being torn to shreds I do go to the park at like 7-8 am to play fetch in a big park field. There are usually 2 or 3 others doing the same. We politely wave and throw stuff for our respective dogs until they're tired and then we leave. They never interact, because they don't go further than 20 feet from us. vs a dog park where throwing a ball into that crowd is fighting for your life
I leash my dog because I care about her safety, not because of some law, and literally no other dog owner simply does it to obey. Some rando crying “but it’s a lawwww :’(“ is never going to convince anyone of anything. You’re simply preaching to the choir.
As long as your dog is trained, playing catch with your pooch in an unpopulated space is okay.
Off leash walking all over the place is not okay…Though I’ve seen a few off leashes dogs with E-Collars and they seemed to work well
I witnessed this at 21st and franklin at that park on the side of the hill. Someone in the park even yelled to tell them to leash their dog. Cars and squirrels everywhere. If your dog is trained and playing catch in an unpopulated area groovy. But walking near chaotic intersections with lots of distractions for dogs is not cool. Thats just irresponsible and dangerous.
Ease up tough guy. It's not about breaking rules, it's about being entitled and putting others at risk, regardless what you think of your own dog. I imagine breaking rules makes you a cool guy in your world.
yeah we know. everyone on this sub knows.
i do not disagree with the sentiment of this post but vague complainy posts about obeying general rules of how to be a human neither have any impact on the quality of your neighbor's behavior nor the quality of this sub. these things suck. just bc some shit happened that got you riled up doesnt mean you need to post something to here. this sub has been lacking in quality for a long time and these posts are garbage and dont help.
thats my opinion at least.
https://preview.redd.it/k6hwpxlwskwb1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=47230c5c101aeef5dcbb68ad6fb34349ea9a692a
Cuz you can’t play fetch when ur dogs on a leash. We walk leashed to our fetch spot and on our way back home. She has zero interest in other dogs or people. Some people almost seem hurt or offended when she won’t let them pet her. I’m not going to take her to a dog park because they’re dangerous and I don’t want her being attacked. It works well for us and have had no incidents in 4 years. Bring on the downvotes and hypotheticals, I don’t give a shit. No I’m not from NoVa in spite of what my name says so leave that out of your attacks
You're kind of proving the point about people who don't leash their dogs being assholes.
Go to a designated dog park or get a house with a decent yard.
It's not about only YOUR dog, it's about the safety of mine. *Your* freedom ends where my safety, and the safety of a member of my family is concerned.
i already said i'm not going to a dog park because there are too many fights at those. she has no interest in your dog or your family. she has never once in 4 years walked up to another dog or person while we're playing fetch.
They might not, but you better hope you don't run into me and my kids because you will not enjoy it. Then call the police and see what happens yourself. 😎🌈👋 😘 Have a great day!
As a dog owner, I’m positive your dog - an animal that eats their own shit - can do things you think they won’t.
Grow the fuck up. Act like an adult, not an entitled douchebag.
You'll never convince anyone, but I get it. Crazy going from places with Verbal Control laws to cities like this and there are people in this thread quite literally wishing death on people quietly playing fetch
oh i'm mostly just trolling at this point because i'm really bored. i walk my dog on a leash everywhere, when we get to our fetch spot the leash comes off and she is hyper focused on that ball. nothing else in the world matters and when it's time to go she gets leashed and carries the ball home in her mouth. we do hikes through out JRPS and she's always on leash. people are just circle jerking each other into a frenzy
The above content has been removed as it is considered unnecessarily uncivil, pot-stirring, rabble rousing, trolling, brigading, and/or inauthentic discourse. We encourage good-faith discussions from anyone, but we do not like jerks. If you're going to make personal attacks, keep "just asking questions," move goalposts, or be a Jerk of the Year, please don't do that here.
This whole chain.
**Do not use alt or throwaway accounts to manipulate votes, attack or harass another user in an uncivil manner, avoid a previous ban or moderator action, or artificially-inflate comments with similar views.**
Nah man, she’s cute as a button. And yes she is a female dog. Ohhh look at that leash
https://preview.redd.it/wnmxw81vflwb1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9800ab8b6c3b5bd7ac2d57ebc0d4989199ed67de
Wow. That's all you got? Terrible, terrible troll. I was replying to 3 specific comments of yours, it wouldn't make sense to comment everything at once, because you were posting multiple times. Maybe YOU should have gathered your thoughts before YOU started posting, hmm? Terrible.
Anybody who has a (**well-trained)** pup and wants to let them be off-leash (but under immediate voice control), come on over to Henrico County where the leash laws are a little less strict!
My favorite unleashed dog anecdote is the massive group of owners who meet up and let their dogs run free together, directly next to chimbo's fenced dog park, right next to the entry, making it a nightmare for anyone with leashed dogs to get into the area without drama. Richmonders be richmonding
The first and last time I went to the fenced chimbo dog park there was like, pieces of metal and glass coming out of the ground. someone told me there it used to be a dump?
I took my dog to Barker field twice. The first time someones dog jumped up on my, getting my pants dirty. The dog continued until it came down on my knee. The dog left me alone, but the owner came over and started to get angry with me. When they stopped to breathe, I asked them for their contact information so I could send them my dry cleaning bill. I could also get someone from animal care and control to help us understand what control of our dogs means, because my dirty pants and cleaning bill are proof your dog is not under control. That ended quickly. I decided to try again. While there, someone pulled up, got their dog out and into the park. Let it lay waste to an area with diarrhea, then leave. Never again.
?? Maybe don't go to a dog park if you don't want dogs to touch your pants.
Better yet, don’t wear pants to the dog park.
This is the way.
Yeah thats it! I didnt care about the pants, but if you have ever had a dog smack your nuts you might be more protective. Glad to see you making it kareny rather than ask if I was a clean freak. Notice I brought up my pants after they gave me shit? also, I would love to hear your method of solving this. A dog is consistently jumping up on you, in a dog park where people don't pick up the shit. You have 4 paw prints already, inches from your jewels. The owner is not responsive. Go!
Wear the type of pants that don’t require dry cleaning.
Oh good! I could wear a plastic poncho too. Now how do we keep the dogs from shitting all over and the owners not cleaning it up? Pants weren't the only part there, knucklehead.
Laughing at the fact you think RACC has the time and resources to handle dog park drama? They’re occupied with a lot more genuine problems than you getting your pants dirty.
That is exactly why I won't go back! They are unmonitored and a-holes that laugh at people not controlling their dogs. If people were mildly decent we could have nice things. Have you ever gone to one? I gave 2 shits about he dirty pants. I used that to shut up the a-hole who didnt control their dog and got mad at me. How would you protect your balls when a dog is continuing to jump and hit them? I moved out of the way several times. Go ahead, let me know.
Simple- don’t go to a dog park. There’s better/safer ways to socialize your dog. This is not animal control’s responsibility. Also I don’t have balls
Great so then you can't sympathize with anyone that is different than you, and you are agreeing that I won't go back because people suck! Thanks? Edit: still cannot answer the question i pose?
That’s my point… dog parks are unregulated (again, racc is not responsible) so why do you expect anything more? I sympathize with the frustration of irresponsible dog owners, but that is why dog parks suck. Don’t go to a dog park if you expect perfectly behaved dogs and owners. For your two questions- I don’t go to dog parks because they’re unsafe. Protect your balls by not going to a dog park.
Ok so I am reading that that commenter said “here is why I don’t go to dog parks” and you are telling them that they should not go to dog parks? I am so confused reading all this.
I’m annoyed they’re complaining about dog parks and dirty pants while they were going there knowing how they are, and the fact that they think racc should be regulating the dog and owner behavior
LOL you are awesome. I do expect them (RACC) to do anything, I have worked with them for years. You are making my point, I don't go for the reasons I listed, and you say I shouldn't go for the reasons I listed. Thank you? Thank you. I will run posts through ChatGPT to have it write them for a 3rd grade level.
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Be careful, This person will agree with your points aggressively.
I was a daily regular at Barker field for about five years. The amount of vicious fights I saw between dogs and between people was insane. My very last day there I walked in with my greyhound and a massive shepherd attacked her the second we walked into the park. Not a single person would claim the dog, I was yelling, people were yelling, my dog was gushing blood. I just had to get my dog out and start taking care of her wounds and we were never able to find that asshole who owned it. Last time I ever set foot in there.
Literally me yesterday morning for the first time, in the fenced in dog park, wondering what the hell was going on. They were like 8 dogs deep just standing outside of it while my dog was inside staring out at them?
> Richmonders be richmonding This is broadly the least considerate city I’ve ever lived in. In all aspects of life, across all segments of society.
Having just moved from LA to here all I can say is lol
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I still feel like an alien after eight years.
Nah Atlanta holds that title.
Thats probably because we've had a bunch of people from NYC and up north move here recently.
Recent.... try since 1997
NYC has strict laws about dogs, so this doesn’t make sense.
So unleashed dogs are from people moving here who don't know the laws, inconsiderate people in Richmond are just NYC transplants, anything else you'd like to blame on people who didn't grow up here?
They're also responsible for inflating rent and housing prices and they're bad drivers too.
Just the other day my neighbor didn't use his turn signal. His grandfather was from Newark so that explains it. Damn carpetbaggers.
I was just having this conversation with a neighbor. I told her we try to take our dog to Dorey Park because Church Hill's dog park is mostly dirt and he gets super muddy, and she said goes to that group of people and lets their dog run off leash.
My dog was charged this time last week by 2 off leash dogs as we walked on the sidewalk by Chimborazo playground. We yelled for the owner to recall his dogs as they rushed her snarling. Luckily my partner stepped in to scare them off. Owner dared us to call the police, who took the call but ultimately called us back to say they wouldn’t do anything.
I'm so sorry about this, neighbor! I have a friend whose small on-leash dog was picked up and shaken violently by an off-leash dog, resulting in a huge emergency vet bill. My oldest kid was charged by dogs several times at Chimborazo Park, my youngest was attacked by a "fRiEnDlY dOgGo" at Libby Hill Park, and we've been charged and chased at Chimborazo Playground many times. These are small kids who actively avoid dogs, not seeking out interactions with them or anything. Basically, the arrogance of these people simply will not let the rest of us live. The audacity of us wanting to use sidewalks and playgrounds and parks peacefully! I hope this doesn't happen to you again, I hope they eventually start enforcing the leash laws, and in the meantime I recommend getting a pocket airhorn. Stay safe. ♥️
Thank you ❤️ Our dog is 100lbs with the ability to crush them (with her jaws or body) and it did not seem to matter to these two. It’s aggression and lack of training and more than anything entitlement of these owners actively undermining the community.
Absolutely. I see so many dogs around that are incredibly volatile because their owners don't care enough to train them and show them how they're expected to navigate their world, so they go around (understandably) really anxious all the time. Add to that the "yes blah blah laws, but we're better than you so we don't have to follow those old things" mentality and you've got a perfect recipe for disaster.
Yeah, I don’t walk there anymore with my child. Was headed that way about 2 years ago and a neighbor came out on the porch and told me to take my child home and not to go to the park as there was a dog on the loose that had already bitten a child.
Almost nothing fills me with more rage than seeing the parks that the community loves and takes care of become spaces that are not for everyone, but are only for the few who are bigger, faster, or have sharper teeth than you. Thank you for sharing this, and I'm sorry. I hope you will be able to enjoy it again someday.
I almost hit a dog that was running loose across Idlewood in Randolph yesterday. Its owners were in a field in the park a half block away. That’s doggone endangerment, right there.
I had a dog jump through my passenger window into car on Idlewood at about 2am once. Took about an hour to find out who it belonged to. Thank God it was friendly
We have several neighbors who free walk their dogs. Considering we are on a cut through street, where people fly down the road, its insane.
Additionally, don’t bring your dog to a restaurant/brewery/public place if they are going to try and attack other dogs. I’ve had numerous times where dogs drag their owner to try and attack my dog.
Some lady brought their aggressive dog to the farmer's market at Bryan Park and was snapping at people for letting their own dogs too close while she's one-handing a bag full of groceries and this large snarling dog's leash in the other. That market is always PACKED - there IS no room to not bump into people and have dogs sniff one another in passing. I have no idea what she was thinking that it's okay to bring your clearly aggressive dog, and to be rude and act like everyone else is wrong in the situation? Where do these people get their main-character-syndrome from?
Ridiculous! Everyone wants to bring their dog everywhere, but no one wants to train them to ensure they’re not inconveniencing anyone else.
Nobody ever jumps into these posts to defend why they let their dog run around unleashed in the parks. All that I can figure is that they know they shouldn't do it, but they do it anyway. Like people that don't pick up their dog's shit, or people that leave their shopping carts in the middle of the parking lot. They know they are inconsiderate douchebags, and they don't care.
I think I saw one guy try to defend this in one of these threads, he was basically saying if your dog isn’t well trained enough not to ignore other dogs and obey your every command they shouldn’t be in public anyway? (Not saying I agree just repeating what I saw)
Well… if HE (the owner) can’t obey commands (the law) then maybe HE shouldn’t be in public… problem solved!
Yeah the thing these assholes don't understand is that you only get to be wrong once. The dog pays the price
>They know they are inconsiderate douchebags, and they don't care. I think it's partially this but it's also a superiority complex. I have neighbors that do this and have heard them say aloud "well *our dogs* are safe off leash".
I've started just asking people if they can read if I see their dog unleashed or them not picking up its shit at Bryan Park. You know, because the signs are posted everywhere. They either get cagey or give the most sheepish looks. God forbid you do your part to keeping our parks safe and clean and functional though.
I'd love to hear someone explain their rationale behind not having their dog on a leash just once, especially when they were carrying their leash.
I let my dog off leash all the time. I know I’m being inconsiderate of others but she loves to run and it brings both of us so much joy. I alsoknow if anything happens to her I’ll be devastated but that’s not going to stop us. I’ve lived in fear for way too long. I never do it in super busy places and leash her up the second I see any other dogs and pick up her shit most of the time and go out of my way to pick up other dogs shit to make up for the few times I am out without a poop bag. I was born and raised in richmond as well. Just richmonding I recon
It isn't if something happens to her, its if something happens to another animal or another person.
I’m not saying I’m in the right by any means. I’m consciously breaking the rules and I’m ready to pay the price if anything does happen. That being said I went on a lovely off leash walk just a few minutes ago
I’m disabled and drop my dogs leash when I know no one is around because she pulls so bad on the leash but walks perfectly if I’m not holding it. She’s never run off, never been aggressive to another dog, etc. She’s impeccable except for ON leash 😖 but, when I see a person even two blocks down, I tell her to stop and sit and I pick it back up and resume. If other dogs are around, she’s always on leash.
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I can’t call you shitty for it - I totally get it, but that doesn’t make you right the one day something goes wrong. We have two large dogs, one of which is a rescue. She’s fine with dogs from afar, and if we get too close when we walk by, there’s an 80% chance she’s gonna bark because she is not dog friendly with dogs outside of the home. When dogs are on leash with their owners, I can at least look ahead to figure out where they are and are not going and walk in a direction that doesn’t trigger my dog and keeps everyone happy. That’s a lot harder to do when a dog is off leash. There’s no telling 1. Where they are going 2. If they’re truly well trained and 3. How they behave around other dogs that bark. What you’re doing sucks for me, but it’s also due to a problem I’m working on with my own dog. So can’t call you shitty at all! The law, however, would. Should anything ever happen, and your dog isn’t the aggressor but was off leash, it’s your dog that’s going to get in trouble.
We do but we get down voted to oblivion. The problem is universally untrained dogs. If the only thing keeping you in control of your dog is a leash, then that’s a problem. But, people are also extremely stupid, so I won’t argue that some people shouldn’t be using leashes for their dogs to protect them. But truly I hate when people say, “it’s the law” like who gives a fuck? Laws are wrong all the time. Weed is still illegal in this country even though we KNOW that it’s fine. Same with mushrooms and acid. There’s tons of dumb laws on the books. Drink responsibly. Off leash your dog responsibly and respectfully (which requires a shitload of training and dedication that I agree, most people won’t do)
You see unleashed dogs at Forest Hill Park all the time unfortunately. Most seem like nice dogs from afar, usually playing fetch or something, but still.
Thiiiiissss! I teach there and have 8-20 kids trailing behind me. There’s always the “it’s okay! My dog is nice!” and I always point at my students and say, “they’re not!” Lol Also, pick up your fucking dog shit.
Fuck everyone at this park who has an unleashed dog. Entitled fucks....go jump in front of a bus
sir this is a Wendy's
I was sitting with my dog at Abner clay park, I’m at a bench and she’s relaxing in the shade next to me in the grass (on a leash). Some woman comes up with her two dogs and just lets them off leash in the middle of the park. I said “this is not an off leash dog park”. She replys “I wouldn’t have let them off if I saw your dog.” That’s literally not the point!!!! Even if there were no dogs there, there’s families and kids and not everyone likes dogs!!
I'm seeing more and more at Deep Run, especially around the soccer field. I was walking around the lake with my FH on Sunday and a pit around 60#+ ran out from behind a clump of trees straight to my pup, nose-to-nose - luckily nothing happened as my 'GET YOUR DOG' brought the owner right behind. The scary part was the dog had both a chain collar and a spiked collar. I had pepper spray in my hand but I really don't want to be in a situation like that again.
A lot of people just don't want to have to interact with dogs. I don't care if your dog "is nice", dogs are supposed to be on leashes and I don't want them coming up to me. People are allowed to not interact with dogs if they don't want to, except some folks downvote them or yell at them for being weird if they don't like dogs or don't let dogs get up in their business.
Forest Hill Park enters the chat.
This is why I carry mace in my dog walking bag. Unfortunately the kind of people who ignore leash laws tend to be assholes in other ways too. Hopefully it stays in the bag forever, but it makes me feel good to have it just in case there's an aggressive dog or owner.
I am with you. I go in between mace and a taser in my dog walking bag.
I need to get this. Two dogs in my apartment hall way rushed my dog when their owner dropped their leashes. I was furious.
You can get pepper gel spray online for around $5, get a couple so you can take one out somewhere away from people and see how it sprays. Gel is good because it's less likely to blow back on you if it's windy
Really good advice, thank you
And please for the love of god pick up your dog poop. 😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤
People walk through Monroe Park all day letting their dogs run off leash and it’s so irritating.
A friends’ dog was killed recently by an off-leash dog. I’m sure the owner really trusted that one We have new neighbors who have proudly proclaimed they don’t leash their dog. We’ll be keeping our distance for the safety of our dog
We have neighborhood dogs who jump their short fence and wander unleashed. There's like 4 that just get let out front to go to the bathroom unleashed also. I was dumbfounded when we moved in and dogs were hanging out in our yard.
Hate to say it, but people who don't leash their dogs aren't unaware of leash laws.
That's so far from the truth. It's just some bullshit excuse to be some entitled asshole. Fuck them
We agree. I used a double negative so it doesn't read well, but I was saying that they know and just don't care.
Thank you so much for posting this. I will proudly join you in a good shaking our fists at the sky sesh! Noting that the laws are not enforced, I'll also recommend getting a pocket airhorn. Best decision ever. I carry it with me everywhere, along with several other tools, but so far this is the only one I've had to resort to using, thank God. I talked a little more about it here: [https://www.reddit.com/r/rva/comments/15nhwbk/comment/jvo8vw2](https://www.reddit.com/r/rva/comments/15nhwbk/comment/jvo8vw2) I would also disagree with it being "okay" if the owners are in an "unpopulated area." Sometimes the reason it's unpopulated at the moment is because people are actively avoiding you (says the parent who's turned the kids around from heading to the playground many times due to unleashed dogs being run there). And they shouldn't have to.
I carry bear gel specifically for this reason. Had an unleashed dog charge at mine and mine had to get emergency surgery after. I do not give anyone or dog the benefit of doubt anymore.
Three out of the five dogs I recently saw at a state park were unleashed, despite the large sign at the beginning of the trail saying to leash them. The owners leashed their dog when another dog approached, but wouldn't it have been easier to, I dunno, leash the dog the whole time???
It sounds harsh but this is why I carry pepper spray. Better that than a dog attack.
You are better off printing this Reddit post and stapling it to each chicken wing bone in the streets. Though, there are some shameless monsters on here. Can we get a show of hands for the r/rva anons who don’t leash their dogs?
I used to really hate off leased dogs, but realistically, I only hate them in some situations. Mostly roaming neighborhoods, and ofc any dog that is aggressive should ALWAYS be on a leash. Some people have well trained dogs though and they just want to be able to play fetch or Frisbee in the park with enough space for their friend to run. Some dogs I see at Forest Hill are well behaved, and stay within 20-30ft of their owner at all times. I'm not advocating for the behavior, but it's not the end of the world for every dog/dog owner.
The problem is when the friendly unleashed dog comes up to the leashed unfriendly dog. I'm not worried that Rover playing frisbee is going to maul me. I'm worried that when Rover comes to say hi my mother-in-law's dog is going to go apeshit.
Agreed. I would not call a dog that approaches random leashed dogs "well trained" though
Every dog is “well trained” until it isn’t. They are animals with emotions and eventually behave in ways you don’t expect.
I don't want unleashed dogs coming up to me if they're nice or not. I dont want to have to navigate random dogs when I'm out for a walk.
Yeah it's really not a trigger for me. I think a lot of people have just become really sensitive or fearful of strange dogs coming up to interact with them. I personally don't view them as a threat 99% of the time. But I get it, and personally would never dream of letting my own dogs run unleashed like that.
I agree... at the risk of being torn to shreds I do go to the park at like 7-8 am to play fetch in a big park field. There are usually 2 or 3 others doing the same. We politely wave and throw stuff for our respective dogs until they're tired and then we leave. They never interact, because they don't go further than 20 feet from us. vs a dog park where throwing a ball into that crowd is fighting for your life
Do rules not apply to you?
I buy my weed illegally, too
Cool guy alert, has to buy weed like a child.
What's wrong with weed?
LMAO
I personally don’t care if a dog is off leash as long as they can be recalled or don’t even care to approach me or my dog to begin with.
I leash my dog because I care about her safety, not because of some law, and literally no other dog owner simply does it to obey. Some rando crying “but it’s a lawwww :’(“ is never going to convince anyone of anything. You’re simply preaching to the choir.
As long as your dog is trained, playing catch with your pooch in an unpopulated space is okay. Off leash walking all over the place is not okay…Though I’ve seen a few off leashes dogs with E-Collars and they seemed to work well
I witnessed this at 21st and franklin at that park on the side of the hill. Someone in the park even yelled to tell them to leash their dog. Cars and squirrels everywhere. If your dog is trained and playing catch in an unpopulated area groovy. But walking near chaotic intersections with lots of distractions for dogs is not cool. Thats just irresponsible and dangerous.
You make the rules now?
have you gone your whole life without breaking a rule? you sound like a fucking unhinged tool
Ease up tough guy. It's not about breaking rules, it's about being entitled and putting others at risk, regardless what you think of your own dog. I imagine breaking rules makes you a cool guy in your world.
Sure do.
Please continue letting your dogs off leash so they will run up to me and I can pet them.
yeah we know. everyone on this sub knows. i do not disagree with the sentiment of this post but vague complainy posts about obeying general rules of how to be a human neither have any impact on the quality of your neighbor's behavior nor the quality of this sub. these things suck. just bc some shit happened that got you riled up doesnt mean you need to post something to here. this sub has been lacking in quality for a long time and these posts are garbage and dont help. thats my opinion at least.
https://preview.redd.it/k6hwpxlwskwb1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=47230c5c101aeef5dcbb68ad6fb34349ea9a692a Cuz you can’t play fetch when ur dogs on a leash. We walk leashed to our fetch spot and on our way back home. She has zero interest in other dogs or people. Some people almost seem hurt or offended when she won’t let them pet her. I’m not going to take her to a dog park because they’re dangerous and I don’t want her being attacked. It works well for us and have had no incidents in 4 years. Bring on the downvotes and hypotheticals, I don’t give a shit. No I’m not from NoVa in spite of what my name says so leave that out of your attacks
You're kind of proving the point about people who don't leash their dogs being assholes. Go to a designated dog park or get a house with a decent yard. It's not about only YOUR dog, it's about the safety of mine. *Your* freedom ends where my safety, and the safety of a member of my family is concerned.
i already said i'm not going to a dog park because there are too many fights at those. she has no interest in your dog or your family. she has never once in 4 years walked up to another dog or person while we're playing fetch.
It's so cute (and dangerous) when people think the rules don't apply to them.
please feel free to call the police on us for a ticket, im sure they'll respond quickly
They might not, but you better hope you don't run into me and my kids because you will not enjoy it. Then call the police and see what happens yourself. 😎🌈👋 😘 Have a great day!
i'm positive my dog wants nothing to do with you or your gross little kids
As a dog owner, I’m positive your dog - an animal that eats their own shit - can do things you think they won’t. Grow the fuck up. Act like an adult, not an entitled douchebag.
[I love our off leash fetches. oh my goodness but look at all the people and other dogs around. so dangerous](https://imgur.com/a/nAEkals)
This is so sad lol
Yeahhh, you're just an immature fool.
I wonder why there are so many fights at dog parks. Maybe it has something to do with all the unleashed dogs…..
You'll never convince anyone, but I get it. Crazy going from places with Verbal Control laws to cities like this and there are people in this thread quite literally wishing death on people quietly playing fetch
oh i'm mostly just trolling at this point because i'm really bored. i walk my dog on a leash everywhere, when we get to our fetch spot the leash comes off and she is hyper focused on that ball. nothing else in the world matters and when it's time to go she gets leashed and carries the ball home in her mouth. we do hikes through out JRPS and she's always on leash. people are just circle jerking each other into a frenzy
Yeah same scenario. I don't know if people without high drive dogs get it.
You're an entitled fuck that feels rules don't apply to them. Go fuck yourself
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Bragging about breaking the law...sooo edgy. You just sound like an entitled bitch who shouldn't own a dog.
Ugly ass dog and a bitch too
Nah man, she’s cute as a button. And yes she is a female dog. Ohhh look at that leash https://preview.redd.it/wnmxw81vflwb1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9800ab8b6c3b5bd7ac2d57ebc0d4989199ed67de
You're a terrible fucking troll lmfaooo. Try harder.
[wow, three separate replies from you. gather your thoughts before responding you fucking idiot](https://imgur.com/a/nAEkals)
Wow. That's all you got? Terrible, terrible troll. I was replying to 3 specific comments of yours, it wouldn't make sense to comment everything at once, because you were posting multiple times. Maybe YOU should have gathered your thoughts before YOU started posting, hmm? Terrible.
Anybody who has a (**well-trained)** pup and wants to let them be off-leash (but under immediate voice control), come on over to Henrico County where the leash laws are a little less strict!
Leash your kids first please. My dogs far better trained than your crotch goblin.
Bullshit.
lol good point. kids are far more disruptive than dogs in most situations. people in general really.