On one of our July morning walks, we happened to stop and
chat with another dog walker. The topic of discussion was the need for me to
keep an eye out for those homes that had less than friendly dogs running loose
in their yards, and for the indifference that these homeowners have for the
public’s safety. It struck me that our neighborhood had always seemed
quite peaceful and safe in the early mornings as we moved along the city
sidewalks. But after that morning, my attention became focused on spotting
these homes, and making mental notes on how to adjust our route in an effort to
avoid a confrontation.
Initially I didn't think that we had to really be on the lookout, until several days later
when Chloe and I came into full view of a Pit Bull peering over the top of a home’s
block wall. I quickly realized that the only protection between the dog and us was
that property barrier. I had also been warned that this particular animal
had jumped the wall previous, and had confronted a morning walker. In another instance a similar type of property wall barely kept
two large Labradors penned in. They were of a size where they could easily rest
their front paws on the wall’s top surface as they continuously barked as Chloe
and I walked the foothills trail.
More recent episodes have turned up two houses where the dog
owners apparently believe in keeping their pets in the garage. This would be
fine, but they have allowed the dog to watch the sidewalk from a partially
opened garage door. In these instances the dogs were a German Shepard and a Mastiff,
as both animals made it a point to bark at us while peering underneath the opened door.
Taking these potentially dangerous locations into account,
Chloe and I have again adjusted our walking routes in order to avoid these
homes. But as a secondary precaution, I have also added to my walking
essentials a pocket size can of mace, which I have read should be able to drop
an approaching dog in its tracks, …that is provided you hit the animal in the
face with the stinging spray. Hopefully, I will never have to test my
reactions, or such a device.
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| We haven't met this particular dog, but we've seen similar on our walks. |
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