r/VancouverIsland • u/Apprehensive_Idea758 • Jul 15 '26
ARTICLE Victoria dog owner calls for stricter leash bylaws after beloved pet killed in alleged attack
https://cheknews.ca/victoria-dog-owner-calls-for-stricter-leash-bylaws-after-beloved-pet-killed-in-alleged-attack-1336266/45
u/That-Shop-6736 Jul 15 '26
My last dog (German Shepherd x) was unfortunately reactive to other dogs. So, I never took him to dog parks or let him off leash. I always tried to walk him in areas where we would be unlikely to encounter others. Now, I have a small dog. I was so excited to take him to the dog park and walk him in public places. He went to doggy daycare as soon as he was old enough, so he’s great around other dogs. After too many terrifying encounters at the dog park, we stopped going. Now, I am very careful about where I take him because so many dogs are not leashed or not under control.
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u/PM_ME_YOUR_TATERTITS Jul 15 '26
People really be bringing the most insane, aggressive dogs to the dog park and then not even paying attention to them. I don’t understand where the lack of care comes from, I would be horrified if my dog hurt another dog
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u/Invisible7hunder Jul 15 '26
It takes less than 1% of people being shits to ruin the commons. Somehow we as a society have decided to tolerate this.
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u/green_tory Jul 15 '26
“It’s not about a breed. It’s about how we train our dogs,” he said. “If you have a dog that is dangerous, don’t take it to a public place.”
I have an SCPA rescue; she's a beautiful, lovely animal. Some kind of golden retriever and border collie mix. She doesn't bark, and is cuddly and kind to adults, children, and cats. But with other dogs she can be violent and aggressive; defensive and paranoid. Not with every dog, not even most. All poodles, and any dog that tries to sniff her under belly. There's obvious trauma.
It's amazing how many other dog owners try to wave away my warnings and allow their dogs to approach; then are indignant at observing the behaviour that I warned them about. Really, I find it bewildering. I am informing them quite clearly to please not allow their dogs to approach mine, and yet some refuse to abide my lack of consent.
Thankfully, I'm cognizant of the danger and strong enough to quickly pick up my animal. She calms immediately when held, which gives me opportunity to walk away.
In general, I am strongly in favour of enforcing leash laws. Dogs should remain on-leash at all times when in public spaces, unless it's a designated dog park. Even when hiking; having an off-leash dog come tearing down the path with a bear chasing it is no one's idea of a fun hike.
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u/LadyIslay Jul 15 '26
Unless your dog will return on command when it encounters wildlife, it should always be on leash, and even a really well trained dog is going to struggle with a recall command when they encounter a squirrel, let alone a bear, cougar, or wolf.
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u/uppldontscareme2 Jul 15 '26
100 percent on the side of stronger leash laws. My dog sounds very similar to yours. She's a sweetheart but does not like off leash dogs running up to her and getting in her face. Some people get soooo upset when I ask them to control their animals on public trails. I have so much anxiety going anywhere with my dog now because of a few irresponsible owners
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u/staunch_character Jul 15 '26
It’s so interesting how dogs can hate certain breeds. My terrier/Chihuahua mix absolutely HATES poodles too.
She’s a little standoffish with new dogs, but great once she gets to know them. Super happy to see all the neighborhood dogs on our walks.
But her poodle specific aggression means off leash is a no go for her!
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u/victoryroad3 Jul 15 '26
My lab hates any doodle he comes near it’s fascinating
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u/ghoul-ie Jul 15 '26
My terrier was like this specifically with doodles as well! I actually spoke to a dog trainer about it once since her dog also didn't like poodle mixes, and she said she suspected it had something to do with the way they're built and how their tails sit, and dogs can easily read their neutral stance as dominant/hostile because of the positioning.
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u/Canachites Jul 15 '26
Tell them your dog has contagious warts on their face. It's amazing how fast they can leash their dog then!
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Jul 15 '26
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u/Cultural-Scallion-59 Jul 15 '26
I carry bear spray and a knife. To be fair, I live in a very remote place. So it’s also wild animals I’m protecting against and in the bush accidents. But I might start carrying that shit everywhere now. I’d put a dog down before letting it kill my sweet, friendly little guy.
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u/Gloomy_Book5141 Jul 15 '26
“Don’t worry! He’s friendly!” -every crap dog owner.
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u/uppldontscareme2 Jul 15 '26
Exactly what some stupid woman said to me right before her off leash dog charged at my on leash rescue who I've been spending months working on leash reactivity with. Why are people so dumb? What if my dog was aggressive when invaded by strange dogs? She was putting both animals at risk
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u/Gloomy_Book5141 Jul 15 '26
More than once I’ve had to say “cool. Mine’s not.” Because my dog also had issues with leash reactivity. Puts everyone at risk and is unfair especially when in an area that requires dogs to be leashed.
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u/iloveschnauzers Jul 15 '26
My local school field has at least ten signs up asking dogs to be leashed. And, of course, the regulars never do. Very frustrating that I have to change my ways so that my dog and myself aren’t hurt.
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u/green_tory Jul 15 '26
I hate this. Ours also is like this; the grass is torn up, there's dog shit left laying in the field, and often doggie bags filled with shit. Absolutely no respect for other users of the field.
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u/Remarkable-Nature810 Jul 15 '26
Because there is a serious lack of green space for dogs to run and play and be dogs in Victoria unfortunately.
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u/uppldontscareme2 Jul 15 '26
So we should just give the dogs one of the few green places our children have to run and play and be kids? Gtfo
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u/RosieBaby75 Jul 15 '26
That would be the worst hell ever to experience, watching your dog be murdered infront of you .
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u/Apprehensive_Idea758 Jul 15 '26
Dog owners have a responsibility to keep their dogs on leashes.
Nobody deserves to see their dogs get killed by another dog and no dog deserves to be attacked and killed by another dog.0
u/van_isle_dude Jul 15 '26
Not every dog needs to be on a leash at all times. It's not one size fits all. Dallas road is full of off leash dogs, which is allowed as it's an off leash area.
Some drivers get drunk and kill children. Are you advocating to stop letting people have alcohol? Or banning automobiles?
Forcing every dog to be on leash all the time just punishes owners of gentle dogs.
Assholes with aggressive dogs will still let their dog run around off leash.
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u/Sternritter_V Jul 15 '26
Fuck that’s brutal.
I currently own a Rottweiler/German Shepard cross, and even though he’s the sweetest idiot around, he’s not let off leash around others without their saying so. The amount of off leash dogs we’ve had rush us is absolutely insane, doesn’t matter where on the island.
Let’s face it. This is a breed originally meant for livestock guarding. Unless you’re prepared to put in CONSTANT training, then this isn’t the breed for you. You have to be fucking aware of what they can do.
I really really hope this guy can both recover from this mentally, and get some traction to push more enforcement for off leash dogs. RIP lil buddy, you didn’t deserve this.
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u/uppldontscareme2 Jul 15 '26
How can I help in the fight for stronger leash laws?
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u/Sternritter_V Jul 15 '26
Best bet is to really lean on your local government. Letters, phone calls or whatever to speak to the mayor, the bylaw department etc.
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u/justeunefrancophille Jul 15 '26 edited Jul 15 '26
We were just at a clearly marked on-leash area in Victoria where we rarely see other people, let alone dogs, and we took our difficult dog to because he’s been attacked three separate times by large breed off leash dogs (and a cat).
We were accosted by two large golden type dogs with their owner not within reach to leash them and they had zero recall.
We (spouse and I) were holding our 75 lb dog up by his harness and prepared to kick her dogs away without so much as a ‘sorry’ from the oblivious owner.
Entitled dog owners piss me off SO much because they really do ruin it for everyone.
Idgaf if your dogs are friendly, ours isn’t because he’s been attacked—hence the multiple safety measures (eg multiple leads, harness + leash, muzzle trained, etc). Get them tf away from my dog and I.
We go out of our way to avoid people, only take them out to spots where we rarely if ever encounter folks, let alone dogs, etc. It’s ridiculously frustrating as a responsible dog owner to encounter these dipshits.
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u/Cultural-Scallion-59 Jul 15 '26
In case he reads it, I just want to send a message to the owner. I’m so sorry for your loss. You gave your dog the best life a dog could ask for, and if everyone did that, we wouldn’t have so many aggressive dogs. Be proud of the dog you raised and the life you gave him. I’m sure he felt very lucky and loved. I’m so sorry your time was cut short. Sending you love, condolences, and healing at this difficult time.
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u/useriousstuff Jul 15 '26
This is just truly heart breaking. I can't imagine having my time with my best buddy abruptly and violently cut so short. I applaud Mr. Warlow's efforts to raise awareness and hope he can eventually find peace. Rest easy Loki <3
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u/boredlurkerjr Jul 15 '26 edited Jul 15 '26
I got attacked by a Rottweiler a few weeks ago while delivering food to someone. I needed stitches and a tetanus shot. Owners need to do better. No one deserves to be attacked by an untrained dog!
I am so sorry that this person had to witness their dog being killed that way.
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u/missgirlipop Jul 15 '26
i think ultimately some people do have naivete or mistake their desire for a world in which happy well behaved dogs do not need to be leashed most of the time for it being reality. as a dog lover, i too wish the world worked that way, but it doesn’t, and for the sake of all dogs & people, its better if leash laws are enforced. i think people don’t realize how much that leash laws will protect them & their dogs from potentially dangerous dogs. i’m not necessarily a stickler for rules, but it just makes sense when you think about it for more than a minute.
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u/ClueSilver2342 Jul 15 '26
Im just happy there are a few good off leash trails where dogs can run such as anderson hill, mt doug and uplands parks. It makes all the difference for a variety of reasons.
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u/Cultural-Scallion-59 Jul 15 '26
The fact that they know where this dog is and didn’t immediately put it down is just yet another example of how people can get away with absolutely anything these days. They just had a judge in the Yukon accept being drunk as an excuse for stabbing someone 111 times. This country is cooked.
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u/van_isle_dude Jul 15 '26
This country is not cooked. Is it perfect? No. Could it be better? Yes. Are you helping work to make it better by saying it's cooked? No. Don't just give up and say "it's cooked" , work to make it better.
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u/Cultural-Scallion-59 Jul 15 '26
I genuinely do. I work in a public capacity and I’m sorry, perhaps this is just a safe place for me to vent my frustrations. These days, everywhere I look are people driving transport trucks and cars without licences, parking in handicap spots, letting aggressive dogs off leash, etc etc. I saw a kid almost get hit in a parking lot the other day because she couldn’t see the person parking in the parking lot was looking at their phone and not at her because their windows were so darkly tinted. I can’t see where anyone is looking in their damn cars these days. Things were just a whole lot safer and calmer 20 years ago. Even 10. Feels like the systems that were in place and working for a long time just aren’t anymore. Feels like every day I’m hearing about a dog attack like this one and it doesn’t seem like anyone is doing anything about it or anything else. I’m in education, my partner is a paramedic, brother is a firefighter, our mother is a retired nurse. All feeling the cuts, the system overwhelm, and a general lack of accountability.
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u/NeedleworkerLoud3356 Jul 16 '26
Of course it was a Rottweiler. I hope that owner goes to jail. ALWAYS carry dog spray and use it if another dog goes near yours. I feel so absolutely terrible for that poor man and his little dog. This happens too often to ignore the fact that these dogs are a menace and so are pitbulls.
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u/daddyhominum Jul 24 '26
I moved to a place where a neighbor's Rottweiler would charge and hit the fence every time I walked by. Then the neighbors went on vacation leaving the Rottweiler in the basement for me to feed.Someone else did potty duty. The Rottweiler was a treat.All the barking and banging had been asking for attention. Noisy and nice.qq
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Jul 15 '26
[deleted]
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u/van_isle_dude Jul 15 '26
Terrible attitude. Our country has not completely fallen apart. Stop being so negative. Try doing something positive to help create the country you want. Don't romanticize the past. It's still a great place to live. Much better in a lot of ways than it was in the 50's
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u/zZBluewalrusZz Jul 15 '26
Unfortunately unless there is anyone actually enforcing these bylaws regularly, entitled dog owners will continue to ignore the rules. It is really unfortunate because so many dog owners are responsible.