Ok, i completely agree, though our problem here in South Texas is the people who leave the dogs in their yard at night, the people who run up to him, and people who wont teach their kids that big dog/little dog doesn't matter, any dog can be dangerous. It gets so hot, i rarely take Brutus for a walk during the day. I do in the early morning and when it starts to get dark. He really enjoys walks to the bay front.
Brutus is a Rhodesian Ridgeback... He's naturally DA and Small animal Aggressive He's bred to be especially weary of people he doesn't know. I try to stress this to people and constantly get "But he's so pretty" and i mean, this dog will do a back flip to keep his eyes on a person. I take him on walks around the neighborhood when i know there aren't that many little ones out. Children around... ok, most of the people around here have no respect whatsoever. I do not mean to offend. It's just what I've witnessed while being here..
When i first got him, i took him on a walk around the streets near the house to get him familiar with his collar and lead. He did great. he was 3 months old. There was a family which *JUST* moved in. What did they do? let two weird unfed pittbull looking mutts run loose. They started killing small animals and attacking dogs. If the two women standing at the end of the street with their dogs hadn't told me, i would have walked down the street. I would never hurt an animal. But if anything were to try and hurt my pup, i would defend him with my life. We all called animal control. They wouldn't come out because it was after 7pm. So we called the cops. They came, took information and confronted the owners, who said "we" had no right to call the cops on them. We even got screamed at for it. Lord forbid i take care of my dog, and don't want him attacked.
What i really don't like are children, Not because i don't like them, because i hate the stigma a dog gets if he gets scared and makes a face at a kid because the child ran up to him from behind and completely caught the dog off guard. I don't understand where parents learn or think that letting your child run up to any animal with your arms flailing and screaming would be an ok thing. Honestly, it's happened dozens of times, i ignore or at least try to ignore every single person who i see on a walk. i talk to Brutus and keep his focus on me or the walk. I've had more than 15 children run up to him or scream and run past him trying to play with him. The poor dog isn't used to this. He's a very kind and friendly dog, as with any dog, within reason. You can't expect him to tolerate complete strangers when his first notion is to protect.
Not only do children bother us. But the people who put their dogs in short chain link fences at night. The dogs have no food or water during the night, nor do they have a lead or anything keeping them from jumping up on the 4' fence that's far too small and far too weak to keep them in. I've been semi attacked by three chow things... ive had a chow chow.. i don't know what mix these things were, but they were all very aggressive, and mostly chained in the fence that is way too small. Brute gets very aggravated by dogs who bark at me. When we walk past a fence and they have no light in the yard, i can't be expected to be able to see this dog hiding in the dark. Waiting till i got close enough for him/her to jump on the fence and snarl as i walk close enough to lose an ear.
Honestly. How old do you have to be before you say "i shouldn't run up to dogs i don't know" I don't figure i have to go into this one very deep. But the people who run across streets behind you and wait till they're right behind you to say "what kind of dog is that, can i touch him?" Not only do i have a panic attack.. but my dog is none to kind to that. Talk about PO'ing a big dog ...
Thank you for the rant, at least i know im not alone in this crap...