Dear Danforth, Leash Your Dogs
Image credits: 588ku, Scott Webb, Hardeep Singh, tortoon, Jen Shish, MART PRODUCTION
by Luca Riggio
As the owner of a grumpy Shih Tzu weighing a whopping fourteen pounds, it is terrifying when an off-leash dog begins to approach him while we’re walking. Whether it be a tiny terrier, a large Labrador, or any breed in between, my dog, Stitch, is not friendly and does not welcome these unrestrained guests very kindly. And then that other dog tends to retaliate to Stitch’s animosity by either barking or biting. In this hostile interaction between domesticated beasts, I’m tethered to my dog by a leash, but where is the other dog’s owner?
They are usually approaching nonchalantly from a distance, shouting: “It’s okay! He’s friendly!”—all while unsuccessfully trying to recall their dog from mine. I know situations like this too well because they often happen to me and my dog in Toronto’s East End. I also see situations like this when I’m not walking Stitch, sometimes right next to a designated off-leash area for dogs. It has become an almost daily occurrence for me to see someone chasing after their unrestrained dog. It’s like an epidemic of people unwilling to follow simple rules.
An off-leash dog once approached Stitch, and a fight ensued. This instance was particularly concerning because I had brought my two children, aged two and five, along with me. I was able to separate the dogs without injury to anyone, but it may not be so harmless for everyone involved the next time something like this happens. Another time, an off-leash dog approached me, thinking that my eye contact was an invitation to play, and it jumped on me while I was wearing brand new pants. It can be an inconvenience, at the very least, to leave your dog unrestrained, and at worst, an unleashed and aggressive dog could injure another dog or person. This blatant disregard for the law, public space, and people’s safety is entitled and inconsiderate coming from any dog owner because dogs are unreliable and unpredictable.
Yes, even your little sweetheart has the potential to cause mischief. Is there anyone who can guarantee a dog’s behaviour with complete certainty? I doubt it. Even Cesar Millan had blooper reels. No matter how friendly or obedient your dog is, there is always the slight chance that your dog will do something entirely out of character.
A friend of mine takes these liberties and allows his dog, Coco, off leash because she is very obedient. I know firsthand that Coco is very friendly and listens to almost all commands. However, I once asked my friend if he would be willing to bet fifty dollars that Coco would sit if I asked. I only asked him this because that was how much my pants had cost me, and Coco had just ruined them by jumping on me with muddy paws while unleashed. We have laws regarding animals being restrained by a fence or a leash because they are unpredictable, and the consequences of them being loose have the potential to be extreme. Even the slight chance of something terrible happening should deter dog owners from unleashing their companions.
Even if you don’t care about my pants, you’re gambling with your dog’s life whenever you remove your dog’s leash in an area that was not designed for dogs. If your dog repeatedly attacks other dogs—it could be euthanized. Your dog attacks a person—it could be euthanized. Your dog runs across the street to chase a squirrel—the danger there is self-explanatory. You are responsible for your dog’s safety, and the Ontario Dog Owners’ Liability Act is in place to make it simple for everybody to keep their dog safe. It becomes difficult and more complicated to stay safe in public spaces when people take it upon themselves to decide that their dog is an exception to these rules.
I take certain precautions when walking my little menace. The primary preventive measure is avoidance, a relatively simple concept: I see someone walking their dog in my direction, and I avoid the interaction by crossing the street. However, this becomes nearly impossible when a curious dog approaches us without being secured to their owner.
Even the most miniature and seemingly harmless dogs must be kept on a leash because they can do damage if left unchecked. Will your dog run amok and invade the space of a family having a picnic? Will your dog try to lick a child’s face and spread germs? Will your dog become aggressive if that child pulls your dog’s ear too hard? Will your dog try to eat the family’s food? Will your dog ruin the father’s very nice Levi’s jeans? Consider these things before unleashing your dog in a public space.
I understand that the urge to let your dog roam free comes from a place of love for your pet. My stance may seem biased because I have become callused by many muddy dog paws on my pants. I appreciate the bond you have with your dog. It’s a bond built on trust. You treat them as family, and it feels unnatural to restrain family members with a leash.
I love watching Stitch roam free and interact with his peers. Believe it or not, Stitch is not always grumpy and unapproachable. He prefers interacting with others on equal ground, so I, like a law-abiding citizen, escort him to a fenced-in area to be with the other off-leash dogs. It can be challenging to find spaces for your dog to roam free in an urban setting, but Toronto offers a variety of off-leash areas for dogs to stretch their legs and reach those top speeds. A few off-leash dog parks surrounding the Danforth include Withrow Park, Monarch Park, Riverdale Park, Greenwood Park, and Cherry Beach, which has an area for your dog to swim. These areas exist to keep dogs and their owners safe, and are usually equipped with a fenced perimeter and a double gate. So, for the safety of everyone and the integrity of pants everywhere, leash your dog.
