What you said about dogs being off a leash after latest attack

Australia’s off-leash debate is now off the chain as debate rages over whether dogs should always be tied up.

Australia’s off-leash debate is now off the chain.

The latest in a long list of incidents – one in which a Gold Coast woman’s dog was mauled by others not tied up – renewed the conversation.

Mags Bowen was taking her daily afternoon walk in the northern suburb of Pimpama when 6kg Bailey was seized upon by four Staffordshire Bull Terriers.

Dogs off-leash debate: Cast your vote below >>>

“ … I picked (Bailey) up, he was covered in blood and crying and I just said to the guy ‘What were you thinking letting your dogs off-leash, your dogs have nearly killed him’ and he didn’t say anything,” she said.

“I said ‘Have you got anything to say?’ and he was just casually putting his dogs on a leash. and I said ‘I’m talking to you have you got anything to say?’ and he said ‘What the f--- do you want me to say … ‘I don’t give a f about your dog’.” she claimed.

Baily was lucky to survive.

Mags Bowen with Bailey. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Queensland Law states when walking dogs in a public place they must be on a leash, unless in a signed off-leash area. Gainsborough Parklands are not. The penalty for not keeping your dog under effective control is $619.

After refusing to provide contact information Ms Bowen took social media to identify him and report the incident.

The owner of the Staffordshire Bull Terriers was contacted for comment.

However the issue of dogs of a leash had already well and truly kicked off with readers.

About 85 per cent of more than 4700 readers voted that dogs should be restrained at all times.

Some commented that it’s not the dog’s fault and the owners need to take responsibility.

Others said just keep your dog leashed at all times.

While there were those who offered potential solutions.

See what you had to say below and join the conversation >>>

WHAT YOU SAID

Do something about it

Mark

It’s time to clamp down on everything to do with dogs. It’s getting out of control, it’s been proven enough that as soon as we extend a privilege of allowing dogs off leash anywhere in public it’s abused by too many.

Doug

Muzzles and leads should be mandatory

Rachel

Our local park is full of parvo so I never take our dogs there … not to mention I never trust bigger dogs around the smaller ones

Frances

My husband was bitten by a medium-sized dog on a leash whilst passing by on a walking path. The animal unexpectedly lunged and latched on to his calf. So l say, it’s necessary to muzzle all dogs out for a walk on a leash in the interest of everyone’s safety. Same goes for off-leash dog parks where the smaller dogs are easy targets.

Steve

Designated off leash areas should be provided in every council municipality.

Mags Bowen's dog Bailey was left fighting for his life after a vicious off-leash dog attack in northern Gold Coast. Picture: Supplied

What can we actually do?

Kym

Doesn’t matter what the rules are. Someone is always going to disobey them

Keep getting REJECTED

People just don’t care. They do what they want, where they want and when they want. Prime example of it given the response. And this is just walking your dog. And he had 4. Must be important

Florian

I always walk my dogs on leads and many times we’ve been rushed by other dogs that are not, even on suburban streets. Time for mandatory fines to apply when dogs are off-lead outside private properties or dog parks.

Tony

As always it’s the owners fault. They must know if dock might bight. BUT dogs love a run. We used to take ours to the local park off leash area and our whippet loved to run.

Concerned Citizen

This nonsense of allowing dogs into shops and restaurants has to stop. When is the law going to be enforced ?

Some dogs can be trusted

Kym

Doesn’t matter what the rules are. Someone is always going to disobey them

H

I don’t blame the dog, it comes to responsible ownership, training, socialisation and recall. Dogs need to move around and play as well, but know your dog!

Wayne

They should be allowed off-leash, but owner is 100% liable for any trouble. I think we need to teach more responsibility for actions rather than continuing to lock down society with more and more laws.

Just tie them up

Melissa

Of leash dogs are a weird and selfish action of entitled dog owners. Dogs just don’t need to be off a leash in public, there is not one reason.

Julie

I am a dog sitter. When we are at our local off lead park I still keep all the dogs I have with me on lead. It is a small thing I can do to reduce any chances of interactions with dogs I am not familiar with.

Mark

Too many people think they have a God-given right to have their dog off leash wherever they please and one in a hundred have any semblance of voice control over their dog.

Bev

People that walk their dogs off leash just don’t care. What about children and elderly people. My grandchild was bitten by a dog and Everly time we went walking after that when she saw a dog she would ask is it on a lead and would get frightened. We have rules to protect everyone

H

I don’t blame the dog, it comes to responsible ownership, training, socialisation and recall. Dogs need to move around and play as well, but know your dog!

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Originally published as What you said about dogs being off a leash after latest attack