It’s been several weeks now since my dog has been ‘attacked’ while on-leash and I’ve been debating whether to write this letter because he can’t type. We have gone back and forth with the issues and both Olliver and I have decided to go ahead and make it public.
Olliver is known in our community as the ‘surgery-dog.’ He needed surgery six years ago that would have cost me $5,000, which I didn’t have. The surgery would give Olly his life back by placing metal rods in his knees. My friends and I were able to raise the money during a weekend Rummage Sale on behalf of Olliver ‘THE DOG’!!! A heartfelt huge “Thanks” goes out to the community for giving Olly his life back. He is getting older, but is continuing through his senior years!
Now about the leash laws in Bend… Olly wants me to write about how much he too hates being on a leash, it makes him feel wimpy and old. However, when he is tied down to me he wishes that dogs who are off-leash wouldn’t run up to him and attack him for no reason. That is what happened to Olliver a few weeks ago at Columbia Park. What makes Olliver most sad is that the owner of the dog called him ‘not nice’ for trying to protect himself and probably Amy (me) as well. We have read several letters in The Source debating the leash law in Central Oregon and really don’t have a side to call our own. However, it is really sad that some dog owners will allow their pets to go up to dogs on-leash and hamper with their already low self esteem. Olliver and I truly believe that there are no bad dogs, just bad dog owners…if this letter just helps one human, we will be very happy.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
Amy and Olly
This article appears in May 28 – Jun 3, 2009.
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Many of us have had the same story as you.
With the newly opened dog parks there is no reason to let your dog run loose outside those designated areas or your own property. I agree with Amy and Olly, keep your dog leashed. Don’t let your dog run up to my Great Dane who is on leash and minding his own business. He doesn’t like it and I might not be able to keep him from tearing a hole in your dog’s hide.
I agree. If someone’s unleashed dog comes near my leashed dog, he feels threatened and if he attacks your off-leash dog, it is your problem, not mine. Keep them leashed in town. Mine is, because I obey the law, whether I like it or not.