Loose dogs in the yard are something to growl about

...you did not ask me nicely to get them off your yard. You had a tantrum, which may have been warranted if they had pooped all over the place, but they did not. And if they had, I would have been prepared, as I always wear a waist pouch that contains my keys, cell, and poop bags.…….

Ironically, the fundamental different between you and I is that I would never prank someone that had a fear of dogs, like you had done in college. In fact, I have actually helped people who are afraid, by slowly introducing them to my boxers, and letting them know that all dogs are not to be feared, and that they can be kind, gentle, and loving.

Yes, there are dogs that are dangerous, but none that BITE like you!
A.J.M.

I am the woman that owns the two Boxers you mentioned in the article. In fact, I remember the incident. Not because I was leash-less, but how I felt after you yelled at me as I was passing by. As I recall, my Boxers were doing what dogs do, sniffing in the grass. It is true that they were on private property for only a brief moment, but you were over reactive, as if they were attacking your very being. I actually felt sorry for you. I remember thinking that it is people like you that shouldn’t be allowed to own a dog, because you don’t know how to let a dog be a dog …You belong in that category of people that like only their own children, and abhor other peoples’ kids.

I just moved here from New York, and in my old neighborhood all the dogs and people got along. My neighbors would give my dogs treats as they passed by and it was always reciprocated. As a matter of fact, my dogs were being social when they came over to you, seeking a mere pat on the head, (not expecting YOU to bark!).

It is residents like you that take away the true meaning of neighborly. I may have been “breaking the law” by not having my leash with me, but you did not ask me nicely t

Just the other day my husband & I were talking about how many loose dogs we've seen about lately. I walk a lot & I'm getting really tired of having run-ins with dogs that owners just seem to let run loose. We've taken some back to their respective houses & the owners really couldn't care less. In fact, they act like we're bothering them by bringing them back! And you're right; some people are very frightened of them. I heard a young girl screaming outside the other day & it was because a dog was chasing her. My husband chased it off. And don't get me started on all the barking! This is why I have cats, who stay inside or out in their enclosure!

Loose dogs are shot with the landowners discretion. Same with people riding horses on public or private land, if the dog irritates the horse it can throw the rider or injure the horse. VT doesn't play around with loose dogs.

I agree with Kerry in the respect that dogs should not be allowed to roam free in a neighborhood or another person's yard...it is common sense...to most people. However, there is a fine line to be drawn here: I let my dog out in my front yard without a leash everyday and he walks around with me, never leaves my side and most certainly never leaves the yard because I watch him like a hawk. If your dog can't do this, then use a leash. I never, ever take my dog out of my yard without a leash and I would never walk him around the neighborhood without a leash because I love him and don't want him to be hit by a car. If your dog is not trained well enough to stay on your property without a leash, then you should always use a leash. And FYI: in most cities in the area, it is only illegal for your dog to be off-leash if the dog is not in your immediate presence...look up the laws.

"Dogs aren't every man's best friend." They (on the whole) are a much better friend to us than (in too many instance) we are to them. George Graham Vest said it best with: http://www.historyplace.com/speeches/vest.htm. ==With elections just around the corner in Chesapeake and Portsmouth, why are you focussed on 2 dogs that did NOT leave a poo-poo on your lawn? There has GOT to be more important happenings in Hampton Roads than this. Maybe next week you can tell us about someone's kid is taking a shortcut across the corner of your property line on his way home from school?

Well lets not forget about the smallish dogs and their leashes. Why do you think just becaues your dog weighs less than a cup of coffee that it won't bite or otherwise annoy anyone it comes across. Those are the ones I can't stand seeing off their leashes, not the big ones.

I'll tell you what else bothers me...when people let their dogs loose in their own yard and let them run out into the road after people walking by. My family lives out in a rural area and like to take our dog for a walk. There is one road that we usually walk down because of the distance and lack of traffic, but there is one family on that road that has two dogs that run wild. We are walking on the OTHER side of the road with our dog (happens when the dog is not with us too) and those dogs will come tearing out of their yard across the road and start snapping and growling. She's bit my dog before (to which the owner immediately stated, "Oh no, he doesn't bite!") Those dogs have bit my aunt as well. People need to keep their dogs in their own yard and if they are going to be out of the yard, they need to be on a leash. Case closed.

I think Kerry is 100% right, and in addition I think leash laws should be much more tougher than they are, to the point of heavy fines and confiscation of the animal for repeat offenders. My Aunt had her right ear and half her face torn off years ago by an unleashed dog. A few months ago, as my wife and I were out walking, with our grandbaby in a stroller, a large dog appeared out of nowhere and charged us, tail and head down, straight for the stroller. I managed to get the baby out of the stroller, into my arms and turned my back to the dog so I would take the attack, but then it cicled around me. I kicked it hard to get it away from the baby a split second before the owner showed up running. Did the idiot apologize? No he physically attacked me for kicking his dog! He is missing atleast one tooth now, but he and the dog managed to run away before the police caught them. Laws need to be much tougher on these idiots.

Reading your article made me remember the couple who brought their dog to our neighborhood park a few years ago on Easter. As the dog bounded up to us and the cheery owners sang out, "Oh, he won't bite!" I told them we have a leash law in Virginia Beach. Further words were exchanged. Suffice it to say they didn't think the leash law applied to THEIR dog.

I don't like dogs sniffing me -- sorry. Keep your hound on a leash, folks.

...that's what paintball guns are for!

People don't keep their children in line, what makes you think they will keep their animals in line? I live on a corner lot and receive a lot of "steaming land mines" that are a quite unwelcome find while mowing my lawn. The main offender walks her dog without a leash or clean-up bags daily and makes several deposits in my yard each week.

Don't get me wrong, I love animals........just not ones that are allowed to take a dump in my yard.

A year or so ago an unleashed, unfenced dog, with his owner watching, ran in front of my bicycle, causing me to take a trip over the handlebars and have a very unpleasant encounter with the pavement. That owner is very fortunate that (1) his dog was not injured, (2) I wasn't more seriously injured, (3) I didn't call animal control to issue him a subpoena for a dog at large, (4) I didn't send him an invitation to civil court. After a month or so, my cuts, bruises and scrapes healed. Nobody's perfect and we all make mistakes, but next time I won't be so understanding. Watch my lips: we do have a leash law in Virginia Beach and if you're a dog owner, you're responsible for that animal's conduct - so be responsible or you will be held accountable.

What makes her a "unique individual"? Could it be that she doesn't want someone else's dog in her yard? Or could it be that she wants the owners to keep their dogs on leashes (it's a law). Apparently she isn't too unique, because I'm the same way. I have a dog, fenced inside my backyard. I put a leash on her everytime she goes outside the fence. So just because you disagree with her doesn't mean she needs to "lighten up".

Boxers are the best available all around "Superdog". Even if you buy the clear models where you can see internal organs & skeletons of animals.... for dogs, the one offered is a Boxer. They are the perfect dog. Until any comparative "Superdog" appears, the Boxer will be my choice of canines. As said in a previous comment Boxer's Rule. I could see how someone may not want a Boxer's "droppings" in their yard though. They are avaricious eaters, & one would only have to guess that the other end of their digestive system would respond in kind..

Lighten Up Kerry! I bet your neighbors pray for you to move every day. This article just goes to prove what i have been saying for years, you truly are a unique individual. And by the way...Boxers rule !

I have been attacked by loose dogs three times in my life. The first time I was a 10 year old child playing in my parents large, one acre yard in Virginia Beach. The dog saw me when the owner let her out of the house and ran directly to me and attacked. Fortunately seconds before the attack, I heard her running towards me and got to my feet and was able to fend off the attack, but not without several bites to my legs. The dog did not bark or give any warning. There was no provocation. I was over 100 feet from her yard. This dog attacked me again several years later.

When I was a 12 year old "paperboy" for the "Virginia Pilot," I was delivering papers on a public street. A Dalmatian ran to me from his yard and without barking, severely bit me on my lower leg. Each time the owners said their dog doesn’t bite, despite the evidence on my legs. Kerry, you are right on the mark. Dogs need to always be on a leash in urban and suburban areas!

I get a little tired of it too, there are dog owners EVERYWHERE seem to think it's not only their right to let their dogs roam wherever they please and the rest of us have to put up with it, but to drop their land-mines wherever they please and simply walk away like it never happened. I've caught them red-handed in my neighborhood, gotten a shovel, scooped it up and taken it right back to their doorstep-hopefully they will recognize what they left in MY yard.