Dangers That Threaten Unleashed Dogs

Imagine yourself driving down an old country road.  The sun is out, the road is clear, and you feel free.  You turn a corner in the road and all you hear is the sharp yelp and the bump as a stray dog goes under your car.  Accidents, like the one described, happen frequently in small communities that have no leash laws for dogs.  Unfortunately many pet owners are unconcerned about their dogs running around loose.  The owners do not realize the number of dangers a dog faces when unleashed and on its own.  Dogs can be very curious at times, as well they are oblivious to many of the things around them that may threaten their safety.  By keeping your dog on a leash you are protecting it from dangers such as becoming lost, poisoned, ran over, and infected with Blastomycosis. 

Many people like to bring their dogs with them on vacation, and that is great, but unless the dog is kept on a leash there is a good chance that it will get lost in its new surroundings.  Most dogs have a good sense of direction, it is important to remember that the excitement of being in a new area may confuse them.  They may be trained to stay by their owners side; however, one noise or scent of another animal and they will be running off in to the forest to find it.  Once a dog has gone into the unknown wilderness it may have a hard time finding its way home, if it ever does.  By keeping your dog on a leash, you are insuring that it does not leave your side, and safely under control.  

A leash is also effective in keeping your pets safe from another danger, motorists.  When people drive they are usually either in a rush or relaxed state of mind.  In either state, they are unprepared to dodge an animal that runs out onto the road from nowhere.  Most people train their dogs to be “highway smart,” but one chipmunk (or other interesting distraction) can change that in an instant, which is all it may take to wind up losing your beloved pet.  Every year, two or more dogs are killed by motorists in Pointe Au Baril, it is too late for them.  If they had been kept on a leash by their owners, this would have never happened.  Motorists would be one less danger for dogs and owners to worry about. 

In small communities there are always people who think that there are too many dogs running around loose.  These people find their own solutions, instead of petitioning for a leash law.  One of the most popular “solutions” to some in Pointe Au Baril, is to pour antifreeze on to the ground around their property.  This is usually done in the winter, as it seems more likely to be an accident.  To any animal, antifreeze is like liquid sugar, to them it is very sweet and will consume it on the spot.  The lethal does of anti-freeze for a dog is about 4- 7 milliliters for every 2 pounds of body weight.  If an animal has consumed it they may have sores around their mouth, be vomiting, and experience loss of movement.  After ingestion, an animal will have only 48 hours to get medical attention from a vet.  Unfortunately, there really are many people who would condemn your dog to such a cruel and painful death.  A leash keeps your dog safely by your side and out of stranger’s yards, as well as giving you the peace of mind knowing your dog will not consume anything without you noticing. 

One other danger to an unleashed dog is something that cannot be tasted, smelt, seen, or heard.  This danger comes in the form of a fungus disease, commonly known as Blastomycosis.  This fungus is most common to North America, especially around the Great Lakes of Canada.  It grows by the water and in swampy areas where there is moist soil and lots of decaying vegetation.  The disease is spread by spores from the fungus that are lifted a short distance in the air by rain, fog, or dew.  Humans are susceptible to the disease; however, because it only travels a short distance off the ground, it usually infects smaller animals such as dogs.  It is more often found in hunting breeds of dogs, as they are always sniffing the ground in search of an animals scent.  The spores from the fungus go in through the nose and attack the respiratory system.  Symptoms that follow are open sores, fever, constant hacking, and breathing problems.  If the disease is not caught and treated in its early stages, it will become fatal.  This is all preventable; it is very unlikely that your dog will run through a swamp, if it is on a leash with you.           

It is true that not all dangers to dogs can be prevented by keeping them on a leash, but a lot of them can.  All communities should require dogs to be leashed for their own safety.  By keeping your dog on a leash, you are protecting it from the things you may never have thought, or known about.  You are protecting your dog from becoming lost, poisoned, run over, or infected by Blastomycosis.  A leash equals a longer life for mans best friend. 

http://www.motherearthnews.com/library/1986_September_October/Winterizing_Your_Dog_or_Cat 

http://www.mold-survivor.com/canines.htm