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It can be a scary experience for dog owners to see an off-leash dog attacking their leashed dog.
There’s a lot of conflicting information about what to do in this situation, and it can be challenging to know the best course of action.
In this article, we’ll discuss what to do if unleashed dogs attack leashed dogs and the possible law consequences.
Who’s Guilty When Unleashed Dog Attacks Leashed Dog?
The crime of a dog attacking another dog can be charged against the owner of the unleashed dog.
In addition, anyone actively participating in the act of dog fighting may be chargeable with a crime.
The penalty for a dog attacking another dog can be a misdemeanor or felony, depending on the individual case and the country.
When Does A Leash Law Apply In The US, UK, And Canada
Unleashed Dog Attacks Leashed Dog In The US
In the United States, the law applies when a person or entity is in charge of a dog or any other animal.
Usually, this is not only confined to their premises.
Leash laws also commonly apply to dogs and other animals on private property, although the precise scope of these laws can vary from place to place.
The United States law against unleashed dogs attacking leashed dogs is severe. In general, the dog owner may be charged with a misdemeanour or felony depending on the case.
Some cities and towns have less restrictive leash laws, setting a shorter maximum distance for keeping dogs on a leash.
Still, it forbids the dog owner to tie the dog up outside their property.
A dog, or any other animal, can get loose and pose a significant danger.
Dogs can slip from their collars and get away even when the owner is holding onto the collar.
If this has occurred to you and your dog attacked another leashed dog, it is best to contact a dog bite attorney to receive legal advice on the possible consequences.
The fines for not controlling your dog are $25-$100 in the USA, and it does not matter if it is just off-leash or just escaped a leash on its own.
Unleashed Dog Attacks Leashed Dog In The UK
The UK does not have a specific dog leash law, but generally, they do not allow dogs left out alone in public areas
However, the law does not explicitly address the situation when an unleashed dog attacks leashed dog.
It is up to the individual police officers and local authorities to determine the degree of negligence.
There is also a law that states that you cannot walk a dog on an un-leashed public highway in the UK.
Local authorities decide on the details since there is no specific outline for the law.
Many areas of the UK rarely enforced this law.
The UK law also does fines for not controlling your dog and ranges from £20 to £200.
In the UK, the unleashed dog attack law differs from area to area.
The law also required you to keep your dog on a short lead when walking in certain areas.
Referred to as the “Right of Way”, is the required distance to walk your dog without keeping it on a short lead.
UK law requires that you keep your dog under control at all times.
Unleashed Dog Attacks Leashed Dog In Canada
In Canada, it is illegal for an unleashed dog to chase or run after a leashed dog.
If your dog is off-leash and sees a leashed dog, you should call him over to you immediately.
This is not only the law but its common courtesy.
If you allow your dog to run at a leashed dog, you put both dogs at risk.
It’s your responsibility to deal with this situation.
It would be best if you kept your dog on a leash at all times unless you are in a designated off-leash area.
Canada’s laws on unleashed dogs attacking leashed dogs are as follows: If a dog is found running at large or not under proper control in a public place or place open to the public, the dog may be seized and impounded.
Even if your dog is found pursuing any person or another dog, the dog may be seized and impounded.
What To Do When An Unleashed Dog Attacks A Leashed Dog
Scare The Attacking Dog
If you’re in a public setting and an unleashed dog attacks your dog, there are plenty of things you can do.
It would be best if you first tried to scare the attacking dog off with loud noises or water sprays.
Use A Leash
Leashes are very effective in helping you pull the aggressive dog away and making sure that it does not cause any harm to others.
Still, many people do not know how to use a leash properly.
This can lead to your dog becoming injured or even worsening the dog’s aggression.
We recommend that you learn how to use a leash properly.
Use A Spray Bottle
Use an animal-safe spray bottle to deter the attacking dog.
It won’t hurt the dog but it distracts enough for you to be able to get away.
If this doesn’t work, you can try to kick the attacking dog, but remember not to kick too hard.
Restrain Your Dog
Dogs can also be dangerous and even deadly to an unsuspecting victim or another dog.
Your dog must always be looked out for when you unleashed it.
Otherwise, you must know how to restrain your dog so that you do not put others in danger.
Especially if you aren’t on your property, you must retrain your dog to avoid harming others.
If a dog bites someone, the owner may be liable for any injuries caused by the dog.
Always restrain your dog, so it does not cause any harm to others.
Intervening By Throwing Rocks Or Objects
Finally, if all else fails and the attacking dog continues its assault, you should consider intervening to stop any physical contact.
If you are afraid for your own dog’s safety, throw rocks or objects at the dog to protect yours.
You can even throw the treats right at the dog’s face if they are coming at you quickly to distract them.
While the unleashed dog searches for the treat, you have time to get you and your dog away from it.
Unleashed Dog Attacks Leashed Dog – Conclusion
The best thing when walking with a leashed dog is to avoid unleashed dogs if possible.
If you do end up in a situation where an unleashed dog attacks your leashed dog, then you should be prepared to defend your leashed dog.
This may require using some defense techniques discussed in this article.
It is always the unleashed dog owner’s responsibility if their dog attacks another unleashed dog.
A passionate content creator on pet behavior, nutrition choices, and health, Mike is an experienced pet expert. He has been writing on multiple websites to compensate for his passion for cats. Mike grieves around plenty of pets in his parents’ house. At the start of his career, he had a sturdy intention to be a part of pet care by any means.
With his affiliation to Purrfect n’ Pawesome, he found a way to satiate his craving to participate in pet health, wellness, and behavior analysis. He has been a significant part of our team and a major contributor in equipping our site with useful, authentic, and research-backed articles.
“I love pets as much as I love to travel to explore multiple places and lifestyles. I have been attached to this pawsome platform for many years, and my experience regarding pets has enhanced significantly by using various devices to write articles. I believe in writing my thoughts and experiences, so I try to write down the experience and learnings for my readers no matter where I am and what my mood is.”
