Subject: [Tweeters] My last word on off-leash dog areas and dogs in general
Date: Oct 9 16:24:14 2005
From: Mary Ann Chapman - machapman at the-mkt-edge.com


This is not just a problem regarding birders and birds. It's a
particularly bad problem at marinas. People seem to think marinas are
built for the purpose of providing them and their off-leash dogs with a
place to get their exercise while enjoying a great view.

I ALWAYS have my two little guys on leashes, for their own protection as
well as out of courtesy and to obey the law. And I almost always mention
it to the owner when I see a dog off-leash. And it almost always results
in a snooty nose in the air or a near fist-fight. What I really love is
the ones who CARRY the leash, as if they could get it on in time to prevent
a problem.

The same people are often the ones who just happen to be enjoying the view
in the opposite direction when Brutus takes his big dump. When I lived at
Elliott Bay Marina, there was actually a guy who came all the way down to
the marina (it's a dead end, not on the way to anywhere!) in an SUV just to
let his four humongous dogs out of the back for their potty breaks. As
soon as they were done, they jumped back in the SUV and he took off. I
reported his license plate to the management, and that soon stopped!

I happen to have feelings just as strong about people - even birders, often
- who have outside cats. Outside cats leave acid paw-prints that etch into
car paint surfaces, foul neighbors' yards and flower beds, KILL BIRDS, and
ultimately get killed themselves. Outside cats CAN be taught to survive
happily inside. And I wonder how many people on this list have outdoor cats?

You can have the exact same discussion about people with skateboards,
three-wheelers, or any other device capable of causing a nuisance. Some
people will be considerate and responsible; others think the world was
created for their purposes and the hell with everyone else.

Mary Ann Chapman
Seatle




At 02:13 PM 10/9/2005, Rachel Lawson wrote:
>Hi, everyone,
>
>I have no desire to turn this into the "dreaded dog thread", so this
>will be my last public pronouncement on the issue (though I welcome more
>off-line discussion).
>
>I received many replies to my original post, both on and off Tweeters.
>Several writers mentioned the MANY times they have been treated rudely
>and worse by law-breaking dog owners when they asked these dog owners to
>leash their dogs, no matter how polite they were. Believe me, I know.
>This has happened to me, too, more times than I can count, to the point
>that birding in some places has become very stressful. One writer
>pointed out the misplaced sense of entitlement enjoyed by some people,
>dog owners and parents of undisciplined children among them, which
>allows them to inflict their bad behavior on others. They just can't
>believe that we don't love their beloved off-leash dog or obnoxious
>children as much as they do. These people become VERY defensive and
>angry when confronted, often knowing they are in the wrong, but being
>unable to admit it. I think my point was that birders can be just as
>guilty of this sense of entitlement, and rudeness in off-leash areas
>isn't the worst of it. I'm not talking about birders standing up for
>birds and nature, here, just bird "watching". How many times have you
>seen other birders trespass on private property, or harass a bird to get
>a better look or a photo? Did you ask them to stop?
>
>So what should we do? Most birders are nice, law-abiding people, and so
>are most dog owners. But many dog owners are just clueless, and have no
>idea that birds nest on the ground in park meadows, or that dogs maul
>hundreds of marine mammals on public beaches. Some don't care, and will
>never care, but I think that many can be educated into keeping their
>dogs on a leash. That's where the SODA people and other responsible dog
>owners come in. By following the rules, they set a good example, and
>they have a moral authority that I, as a non-dog-owner, lack. But, so
>far, they seem quite reluctant to police their own, just as we are often
>reluctant to confront rule-breaking birders. It may be a simple wish to
>avoid confrontation, but it also may be a lack of understanding of what
>(birds and habitats) the leash-laws are designed to protect. I think if
>we engage with "good" dog owners in a friendly way when we meet them,
>especially if they are curious about what we are doing and the birds we
>are looking at, we can thank them for following the rules, and try to
>enlist them to get others to do the same. "I have my dog on a leash,
>why don't you?" So, that was my second point. These "good" dog owners
>can be our friends and allies. It won't be easy, but I think it's worth
>a try.
>
>Rachel Lawson
>Seattle
>RachelLawson at softhome.net
>
>
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