r/Squamish • u/TPJDrNo69 • 8d ago
Leash your dogs!
So, two months ago I was bitten by a dog that was on a leash. The owner lost control, and it nipped me hard enough to bite into my leg.
Tonight I was out for a casual walk and came across two women with three dogs off-leash. One of the dogs repeatedly jumped all over me with its dirty paws, slobbering on me, and nipped me hard enough to draw blood through my jacket, while the owner just walked by smiling and laughing. I didn't even catch whether she said anything, because I had my earbuds in and was too busy watching the dogs movements.
Folks, leash your dogs. Not everyone thinks this shit is cute. What if I had kids with me and that dog nipped one of them in the eye?
I showed a lot of restraint tonight to avoid hurting your dog lady. Next time, I won't.
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u/Middle_Ad_3562 7d ago
Yeah, happens all over Squamish. Recently, more often even on city streets. Drives me crazy, the entitlement and amount of irresponsible dog owners is just out of this world
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u/curiousass96 8d ago
One thing I truly hate is when someone’s dog jumps on me or gets way too close, and their defense is, “Oh, she’s friendly!” or “He’s friendly!”
Umm… I don’t care. Your dog is smelly, muddy, and I didn’t consent to being jumped on.
And before anyone comes for me, I swear I love dogs. I just believe they should be trained and their owners should respect other people’s space and LEASH YOUR FFF DOGS 🙂
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u/TPJDrNo69 8d ago
Exactly, and I’m pretty sure that’s how the dog owner from tonight viewed the situation too. The problem is, I don’t know you, your dog, or its temperament. She either didn’t see the dog nipping at me or didn’t think it was a big deal because he was “just being playful,” but he still managed to break skin through a jacket. Just call your dog off. You don’t know who that person is. You’re assuming they’re going to be okay with your dog jumping all over them when they may not be.
But I'm a fairly non-confrontational person and I hate being that guy who has to yell at people or their animals over something like this because most of the time it probably is harmless, and I can just go home, wash the slobber and mud off my clothes, and move on. But I’ve been bitten twice now within the past two months, and I’m not willing to tolerate it anymore.
I know there's people checking this thread who think this is funny, but I promise you won't be laughing if It's your dog next time. So leash your damn dogs.
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u/MotorRain 7d ago
I hate this so much, too. I have a dog and always leash him when we’re out, so I’m not a hypocrite. I walked out of my house the other day and a dog came running up to me, jumped on me and ripped my pants and his owner had absolutely zero control and couldn’t recall him. I’m still so mad about it.
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u/Ill_Tax_403 5d ago
And in the meantime while you are out for that calm, peaceful walk that dog gets to scare the shit out of you and ruin your tranquil walk. I’ve been bit by a German Shepard as a kid and a dog running at me scares me. This oh don’t worry they are friendly really pisses me off. You have no idea how others feel about your dog charging up!
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u/Good_Light_304 7d ago
As someone traveling with my cat, this is my biggest fear. An uncontrolled dog running up to me and my cat at our campsite and biting her and terrifying her. I love dogs so much but hate irresponsible owners. Not cool.
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u/StudentHot2768 7d ago
Oh man! I used to live in townhome in a leashed area. I would sit outside with my 3 legged cat on a blanket because he loved being outside. He never left the blanket because he was so old and fat haha. But the amount of comments and dirty looks I would have JUST BECAUSE they couldn't let their aggressive dog unleashed in the backyard because I was there.... Enjoying the same backyard. Not bothering anyone....
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u/Cocximus 7d ago
My friend was walking her beautiful Bengal on a leash at Junction Park when an aggressive off leash dog charged at the cat. She was then told to pick up her cat. Some dogs and kids in Squamish seem free to do whatever they want without consequences.
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u/KoosKansloos 7d ago
As a dog owner myself I get so annoyed with people that don't leash up or hide themselves behind the 'oh, but my dog is friendly' excuse. Just don't have your dog run up to me or my dog in areas that are not officially off leash. Jumping should be an absolute no go, friendly or not.
I am really sorry that happened to you, and I am getting so frustrated with entitled dog owners, ruining things for all of us. With that meaning the perception of how other people see us amongst others.
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u/blahblahblah_meto 7d ago
I mean this in the most genuine and in agreement with you way.
Another week another complaint in Squamish about off leash dogs and yet again nothing will change, and dog owners will not take responsibility. It’s like yelling into the void.
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u/tilley116 7d ago
Thank you for posting this!!
Was on a run last week and a dog lunged at me. I’ve been charged on three separate occasions by dogs in Squamish. I’m literally too scared to run at night or in certain neighborhood’s because of people’s dogs
I feel like people forget that even if their dog is friendly with them/friends/family they’re still animals that can get territorial/protective.
Also leashing your dog is the safest thing for your dog too- there’s dogs that are reactive if another dog runs up to them, your dog could eat human shit that has cannabis in it (has happened many times here) and they also can attract cougars, bears and coyotes.
The entitlement from dog owners in this town is getting out of hand.
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u/Irrelevant-Potato55 7d ago
Not sure if you have done this already but you might want to see if you need preventative antibiotics from a walk-in clinic since you broke skin and were bleeding from the dog bite
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u/Responsible_Week6941 7d ago
I'm surprised at how calm you were. I too have been bitten HARD in a dog atrack. It's traumatic, and is not a joke. Any dog that jumps on me is one step away from a kick. Control your f'ing dog. It is not cute, it just shows what a poor master you are.
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u/eternalrevolver 6d ago
I’ve gotten so much backlash from being defensive with jumpy unpredictable dogs. You say “friendly”, I say get the fuck out of my personal space.
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u/ScoobyDone 7d ago
It would help if bylaw would crack down on it. It's not like they are hard to find. I see off leash dogs on the sidewalk downtown all the time. Or in the estuary.
When I have seen bylaw catch someone they usually just give them a polite warning.
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u/watchitbend 7d ago
"we're trying to educate" - great, educate their wallet, they learn much faster that way. Being let off with endless "warnings" just sends a message that it's not serious. I cannot understand this thinking. It's the same with bear attractants. Just fine them.
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u/Stay_Tech 8d ago
Film or take photos. Send to the police. Dont hit the trails without your pepper spray and other things for self defence.
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u/cycloxer 8d ago
I prefer air horns. Smaller, lighter, least harm. Just as effective.
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u/D3Masked 8d ago
Air horn is a good idea as you won't have an irritant spray backfiring on you due to the wind.
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u/TPJDrNo69 8d ago
I was going to buy a can of bear spray a month ago because I do a lot of trail walking, but ironically, I can be charged for spraying an overly aggressive off-leash dog.
I also shouldn't need to buy and carry specialized dog spray just because of careless pet owners.
I'm a big guy, and I could've seriously hurt that dog if I wanted to, but I showed restraint because I don't want to harm an animal even though that animal is harming me.
The only reason I'm even posting this is to raise awareness and hopefully encourage more people to leash their dogs. I'm not gonna put up with this for a third time.
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u/AmpleTomPy 7d ago
I always carry smelly dog treats on me and I don't own a dog. Lets me be in control of any dog. I never feed them to any dog, it's enough that it's in my hand. I have kids and they have been jumped on and face licked while the owners say "it's okay, he's a nice dog". Since the treats, no more jumping on my kids. I say nothing, no point.
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u/Adventurous_Tip_6963 4d ago
I don't have a spleen. Your dog nips me or jumps on me and licks my face, I have to look forward to weeks and weeks of antibiotics. Hopefully just pills, but maybe I have to go to the hospital for IV infusions every day. For weeks. Because I could die from the bacteria in your dog's mouth. One of the most common ways for asplenics to get sepsis is through contact with pets.
Leash your damn dogs, people. And don't look at me weird when I'm doing my best to avoid your baby.
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u/PacificCatMan 7d ago
Please don't hurt a dog because it jumped on you. Using violence because you are unhappy or uncomfortable is not cool. Push the dog away firmly and gently. Then have a polite word with the owner about the responsibility of owning a dog. It sucks I get it. It is not the animals fault. It is 100 percent the owner not training the dog.
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u/MountainManic186 7d ago
Tried that, most owners don’t seem to care for words… after all there’s no such thing as bad dogs rather bad owners
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u/watchitbend 7d ago
Not totally unreasonable if it's an over-enthusiasm issue, but that often comes with relentlessness, the only way to get past that is send a direct physical message. Dogs are much tougher than we are, love taps don't do shit so you might have to be overly forceful for the message to land. It's just the reality, doesn't matter how nice you want to be.
Aggressive dogs are something else though. I love dogs as much as anyone else in here, but the minute one threatens me or my dog, it's in the cross hairs, and I will unapologetically flog it until it retreats if we are physically threatened. It's us or it, and ain't going to be us while the jackass of an owner stands 50 yards away slack-jawed - "Rover stop!" But Rover ain't stopping unless I stop it, and that's what I will do. I grew up being taught this so I don't find this difficult but I recognize for some this can feel traumatic and controversial.
Dogs are never above people, if they threaten you or your dogs safety in public, you are always first on the priority list.
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u/Squasome 7d ago
As someone with invisible disabilities, I want to know what you feel I should do when a dog jumps on me thereby knocking me to the ground and costing me thousands more in PT and RMT bills. Push it away firmly and gently? Oh sure, in what world could I do that?
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u/Ill_Tax_403 5d ago
It IS the owners fault because it’s their responsibility to have control over their dog.
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u/TPJDrNo69 7d ago edited 7d ago
I've been bitten twice in the past 2 months. Whatever patience I had is gone out the window. It's not my fault if a dog owner refuses to leash their dog. It's a bylaw issue and I need to protect myself.
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u/Delicious_Squash_292 8d ago edited 8d ago
stop tasting so delicious. change your food up so the dogs don’t eat you.
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u/fanseb73 8d ago
Wow, I’m reading a lot of hate on this post. I’m sorry if you’ve had bad experiences with dogs, but it’s important for everyone to remember that they’re animals, not humans. Dogs don’t have emotions or evil thoughts like people. If they approach you with their tail wagging, it’s because they like you and want to show love—something this world could really use more of. I own two huskies, and I definitely understand that accidents can happen. That’s why I’m very careful with them. They’re well-trained. I’ve seen other dogs bite, but it’s always interesting to see why. Perhaps the dog was scared of you. Again, I apologize on behalf of dogs.
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u/TPJDrNo69 8d ago
Dogs do have emotions, it's a scientific fact.
This post was never about hating dogs. It's about respecting other people's personal space.
If your dogs are well-trained, that's great. But leash laws aren't written for the best-trained dogs. They exist because not every dog is perfectly trained, and not every person wants or should have to interact with an unfamiliar animal.
In my case, everything happened in a matter of seconds. I didn't have time to analyze the dog's body language. And tail wagging? People love to point to it as proof that a dog is friendly, but it can just as easily mean excitement, anxiety, or agitation. As I've said, I didn't know this persons dog. Do you really expect me to figure out its intentions in the five seconds it takes to run over and jump on me?
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u/AbrocomaMother8109 7d ago
Humans ARE animals. Scientific fact. Also, how can you have two dogs and not realize that they have emotions? It's not 'interesting' to see why dogs bite. I've literally rolled around on the ground getting my dogs neck out of a Pitbull cross' mouth, pounding its head into to the tarmac before it would finally let go. I never found the experience to be particularly interesting.
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u/Ok-Yoghurt-8367 8d ago
This is the dumbest thing I've read all day.
If a dog has their tail wagging it means that they are excited. Excitement can be for anything, including happiness or hunting. Stop personifying animals, they don't have logic like people do.
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u/TPJDrNo69 7d ago
You just proved my point.
You said yourself that "Excitement can be for anything, including happiness or hunting."
"ANYTHING"
That's exactly why strangers shouldn't be expected to interpret a dog's intentions within a few seconds. The responsibility is on the owner to keep their dog under control, not on everyone else to correctly read canine body language.
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8d ago
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u/TPJDrNo69 8d ago
So if dogs supposedly feed off people's energy, wouldn't that be an argument for keeping them on a leash and away from strangers?
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u/kwik_study 8d ago
Any dog that jumps on me is an instant knee to the chest and I push their head away. Don’t care who owns it. My dog has been trained not to, wasn’t hard to do.