Eight dogs dead in wake of leash law debate

CNN.COM ^ | Friday, July 18, 2003 Posted: 2:26 PM EDT (1826 GMT) | Unknown

[Mr.Atos]

PORTLAND, Oregon (AP) -- In this congenitally dog-friendly city, where dogs once roamed free in city parks, someone is taking a debate over leash laws to a sinister level: Eight dogs have died, reportedly from eating poisoned sausage left in a park, and eight others have taken sick.

Canine owners are on edge, certain that some lifelong dog-hater got sniffed one too many times by an unleashed pet, and decided to take revenge. They are packing fundraisers around the city to contribute toward a reward for information leading to an arrest. So far, the take is $13,000 and counting.

The dogs who have died were all roaming leafy Laurelhurst Park, recently identified in a study by graduate students at Portland State University as the park generating the highest number of complaints about off-leash dogs.

[Mr.Atos]

In Portland, prevalent attitudes traditionally directed toward a hatred for humanity, has turned to a hatred for humanity's best friend.

Small-minded monsters!

[amused]

Sick....

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[Damocles]

Already posted:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/948375/posts

 

Breaking??...

[jimkress]

It is wrong to randomly poison dogs. It is also wrong to impose your dog's presence on others in violation of the existing leash laws.

When you're on your own property, you can do as you wish. When you are outside your property you should respect the law and the property of others.

I have two dogs. They are not allowed to roam the neighborhood. If unleashed dogs come on my property they are resported to Anmial Control. If they continue to come on my property they are shot.

No one has the 'right' to impose their pets on my property.

[Protagoras]

In a suburb of Chicago yesterday, three Rottweilers dug a hole under their fence and broke out. They promptly chewed a 63 yr old woman nearly to death. She lingers in intensive care right now.

[freepatriot32]

maybe this guy moved from florida to oregon

Man Admits Cutting Dogs' Tails Off; Says He Needed To Be Entertained

[Atlas Sneezed]

Did the dogs of any leash-law-abiding owners suffer any harm?

[Mr.Atos]

Thanks! Sorry for the duplicate posting, then. I did search.

[Mr.Atos]

Thanks! Sorry for the duplicate posting, then. I did search.

[Mr.Atos]

Many cities, like Seattle, have clearly defined leash laws that are enforced accordingly. As a result, Seattle, has dog parks or leash free areas where dogs can roam safely. Portland has had an open attitude toward dogs for some time. When suddenly they decide to enforce the policy (in order to create revenue), thousands of pet owners are left with know alternatives. You can NOT maintain a healthy well-trained, active dog on a leash.

And I do not own a man-eater (Rott., Pit, etc.)

[Mr.Atos]

No one has the 'right' to impose their pets on my property.

I'm not sure that has anything to do with the issue... that dogs are being poisoned. We can discuss your passion concerning property rights in person when and if, my dog enters your property. But as long as my very well-traind Groen. is walking en heel by my side as he was trained to do, we have no problem for which he should be impounded or executed.

But, what we are talking about here, is a neighborhood park that has traditionally been openly excessible to pets, not your front yard.

[Protagoras]

What happens when someone has three dogs who howl and bark all night every night and the police don't defend the rights of the neighbors?

[Mr.Atos]

What happens when the neighbor howls and plays the stereo all night? I'm not sure about the point your making with regards to this story.

Are we talking about banning dogs now?

[jimkress]

And your point is .... ?

I also do not leave my dogs unsupervised, even in my fenced yard. I take full responsibility for my pets to insure they will not be a problem to my neighbors. Too bad the person in Chicago didn't.

[bankwalker]

Are we talking about banning dogs now?

Not banning dogs, but maybe the noise they make that crosses onto private property and prevents sound, healthy sleep by someone minding their own business. No different than an all night boom box by inconsiderate neighbors.

[SarahW]

It is *wrong* to randomly poison dogs? It's vicious, criminal, and completely evil. In other word, a good bit *worse* than letting your cocker spaniel run in the park.

Got a problem with loose dogs? call animal control. Bust and fine the owners. If the dog is an immediate threat to human safety or your livestock's safety, by all means shoot that particular dog.

But there is no excuse for maliciously laying poison down for some hapless pet that takes a poop on your begonias.

In this case, it's not even somebody's yard, its a public park.

No private citizen has the right to put poison sausages down in a park to tempt and kill dogs. Even a leashed pet could easily get ahold of one.

[jimkress]

I'm not sure that has anything to do with the issue...

The issue is the reaction of some nut to the lack of enforcement of existing leash laws.

But, what we are talking about here, is a neighborhood park that has traditionally been openly excessible to pets,

In continuous violation of existing leash laws. Either obey the law or get rid of it. Don't ignore it or excuse its violation because "everyone else does".

[jimkress]

It is *wrong* to randomly poison dogs? It's vicious, criminal, and completely evil. In other word, a good bit *worse* than letting your cocker spaniel run in the park.

Nice try.

As I said, it's wrong to randomly poison dogs. You may wish to use the image of a cuddly Cocker Spaniel. Others will use the image of a Doberman or a Bull Mastiff. In either event, it is equally wrong (selfish and childish) to allow your dog to run out of control off your property and threaten the life or property of others.