Should Da dogs wear a muzzle in public

[adjecyca]

Do you think DA dogs should be required to wear a muzzle when out on walks or in public?

I always thought that it was unfair for my dog to need to wear a muzzle *in case* a loose dog ran up on mine, because my dog is contained legally, but i got in a debate with someone who feels it's extremely irresponsible to allow a known Da dog to go on walks in public without a muzzle...

What are your thoughts?

 

[Savage Destiny]

I think it depends on the severity of the DA. If a dog is going to maim or kill a dog immediately upon contact, yes they should probably be muzzled in public. Partially for their own safety, since seriously injuring a dog usually has bad consequences for the DA dog, even if it is contained on a leash while the other dog isn't. A dog that takes a minute to get worked up or just gets snarky is probably fine without a muzzle.

 

[TannerG]

Fuck no, but even DA dogs should know how to behave in public.

 

[Swolf]

Ohhh I'm so excited to read this one, I've been a bit on the fence about it myself.

On one hand I have the whole 'fuck you my dog is on a leash and your dog should have been under your control' thing making me want to say no.

On the other hand if a small dog runs up on me and I can not get that small dog out of there fast enough in some way and my dog ends up killing that dog... Well that's another negative pit bull news story being run and some legal issues (apparently killing another dog in the state of Florida is grounds for them to label the dog vicious and potentially euth)

I trust Sookie not to act a fool around other dogs at this point with her reactiveness, but I do not necessarily trust what would happen if a rude dog ran at us with the intent to start trouble. I take a lot of precautions, but still... shit happens especially when you're relying on someone else to be at least somewhat responsible.

 

[ignitethis]

If you cannot control the dog and guarantee that it will not have a chance to start a fight, then yes. Personally, I would not muzzle Roxie ever (except for in emergency situations... she is muzzle trained and would be easier to handle in high-stress situations such as an evacuation with a muzzle on), because I can control her reactive-ness and am able to easily avoid other dogs.

Then again, for me, Roxie is no where NEAR the scale of aggression/reactivity of a lot of bully breeds. She just stands still, watching other dogs until they pass... we can move across the road, we can walk up a driveway, or I can pick her up to avoid another dog. She's just still during the whole thing.

Honestly, to me, muzzling is not something that should be done unless ALL dogs are muzzled. Otherwise, you are putting are putting your dog in a situation in which it is at a potentially life-threatening disadvantage.

While owners are responsible for keeping their dogs safe, sometimes it's hard fighting off an attacking dog, and a leashed dog can't run away or anything- that's bad enough. To put a muzzle on a dog that is being attacked, and now is not only unable to run away, but it can't fight back either? That's not gonna end well.

There are many things out there that can assist an owner in a dog fight- mace, break sticks, weapons, etc, but some people choose not to carry those because it's either against the law, isn't 100% effective, may result the human in getting injured, etc.

TLDR- dogs should be able to defend theirselves.

 

[BBPITS]

Is the muzzle to be required by law,or the owners personal choice?

 

[TannerG]

If we talking about for the reasons of an off leashed dog running up on you lets not forget that even non DA have the potential of throwing down in that event.

 

[TannerG]

Is the muzzle to be required by law,or the owners personal choice?

If its the law I would abide

 

[Joey&Zoey]

Um, no. This has been a topic I have seen repeatedly and never agree to it based on two solid facts:

1. I am obeying the leash law when walking my DA pit bull and controlling her even in situations where I shouldn't have to put up with the other owner's irresponsibility and law breaking. So, any dog that charges us or is simply off leash in any public setting is the problem and therefore, breaking the law. Not me or my dog and I have no patience, sympathy, nor obligation to control and force the law onto owners who feel above the law and only will point fingers and cry when shit hits the fan for them (no, I do not allow my dog to simply fight with every dog that charges us, most don't come any closer once they pick up on my dog's reactions anyways.). I know some of you are going to holler on about, "well this and that", but as already stated previously, that is simply how I have been carrying on and will not subject and restrict my dog from something based on the irresponsible owners. I do enough as it is to avoid when already following the law.

2. Why would more BSL type laws/rules be encouraged? That is why there are leash laws for ALL DOGS already. I am not going to single out my dog, her breed, and my ownership, anymore than I already have to do as an already responsible owner (which we all know, takes a lot for the most part when you live in public settings especially.).

 

[Beret]

Fuck no, but even DA dogs should know how to behave in public.

This.

Just because a dog is DA doesn't mean they can't learn or shouldn't learn how to compose themselves around others while on leash.

 

[JoeBingo]

leash laws don't work and neither would muzzle laws. Responsible owners will maintain positive control of their dogs, regardless ... others won't ... regardless. It all boils down to the owner and responsibility.

(... still waiting to attend an ADBA event in public with all dogs muzzled LMAO)

 

[adjecyca]

I wasn't really thinking by law, i was thinking more along the terms of responsibility.. But i could understand the confusion with my word "required"

 

[JoeBingo]

As long as it's an individuals choice and the responsible owner feels most comfortable using that tool in public ... good for them and go for it.

 

[TannerG]

leash laws don't work and neither would muzzle laws. Responsible owners will maintain positive control of their dogs, regardless ... others won't ... regardless. It all boils down to the owner and responsibility.

(... still waiting to attend an ADBA event in public with all dogs muzzled LMAO)

lol good one

 

[NobodyHere]

Nope, not going to happen. We own very DA dogs. If another dog runs up and gets in their face, they will grab the dog, period and end of story. That said, we don't allow our dogs to act like assholes and fire off at other dogs on lead unless in an ADBA ring. But no, I'm not going to muzzle my dog in public "just in case" someone else is being irresponsible with their dog and has it off lead and out of control. Two reasons.. First, the odds of people seeing my dog in a muzzle and assuming the dog is human aggressive/vicious is much higher than the odds of my dog actually grabbing another dog. Second, if someone else's dog actually runs up on my dog and attacks my dog, I don't want to be the one whose dog is being torn to shit because my responsibly owned and handled dog can't defend itself.

 

[JoeBingo]

I'd never use one because I don't need it to maintain positive control of my dog (and because of what Seven said about the don't want my dog tore up part). Someone else may need one to feel confident they have positive control and I can't fault them for that. Do what ya gotta do to be responsible. The general public doesn't like our dogs to begin with ... I couldn't care less what they might think about a muzzle, but would be more than happy to explain why if asked.

 

[lizzie13]

Nope, not going to happen. We own very DA dogs. If another dog runs up and gets in their face, they will grab the dog, period and end of story. That said, we don't allow our dogs to act like assholes and fire off at other dogs on lead unless in an ADBA ring. But no, I'm not going to muzzle my dog in public "just in case" someone else is being irresponsible with their dog and has it off lead and out of control. Two reasons.. First, the odds of people seeing my dog in a muzzle and assuming the dog is human aggressive/vicious is much higher than the odds of my dog actually grabbing another dog. Second, if someone else's dog actually runs up on my dog and attacks my dog, I don't want to be the one whose dog is being torn to shit because my responsibly owned and handled dog can't defend itself.

Very good reasons... I do think it sends a bad message to gp as well like they are vicious and like you don't know how to control your dog

 

[JoeBingo]

I guess my point is that if it's an individual's choice to use a muzzle and you feel the need for one to maintain positive control of your dog in public .... Thank YOU for being considerate enough to ensure your dog isn't the next headline or does something to throw these dogs into a negative light regardless of whose fault it is. I just don't feel the need for one.

 

[Joey&Zoey]

I feel that there is only SO much you can do to be a responsible owner and still ENJOY your dog and allow your dog, to enjoy it's time with you in return. Just as, there is only so much worrying one can do in regards towards irresponsible owners to not keep their dog a prisoner 24/7.

The media is never going to show a "muzzled pit bull attacked by so and so dog" so, think about that for a second. You already know the media only shows "pit bull attacks" and muzzling your dog, potentially setting your dog to get beaten up in the process by another DA off leash dog, is not something I am going to apply to simply stand as a considerate human being.

 

[JoeBingo]

Mark Joey as "wouldn't work for her either" LOL
Like anything else associated with dogs ... it's just a tool when used appropriately. I just don't happen to own one or can think of a reason to own one ... but that doesn't mean someone else might not need one :dunno: ... just trying to keep an open mind as long as it's an individuals choice.