One of the most striking things about being visitors in Chicago with a dog was the leash law. It seemed that a dog had to be on a leash (of less than six feet) at all times in a public place. It was very hot and so we researched taking Caesar to the beach, two dog beaches in Chicago but neither allows a dog off the leash unless it has a permit from the city! So, no opportunities for a visiting assistance dog there!
Living on the edge of the second largest natural harbour in the world, we are able to take Caesar to the beach year round and allow him to free run and swim in the sea. Of course the main tourist beaches have dog bans in the height of the season, usually Easter to the end of September, but there remain places where dog owners can exercise their charges year round.
Something else I noticed in Chicago was that the local dogs, presumably not allowed off lead unless they have a city permit for the beach or are taken to a dog park were not that well socialised. The number of smaller dogs straining at the end of the lead as we walked by was far more than normal, I am guessing their lack of mixing with other dogs off the lead has led to this nervousness and agression when they encounter other dogs in the street.
It's difficult for assistance dogs, I happen to believe if they work hard, they should be allowed to play hard and have a daily opportunity to free run. Caesar will also not toilet while on the lead unless he is absolutely desperate, so that leaves me in a dilemma, wait until he is desperate or find an out of the way place and allow him off the lead for a few minutes, under strict voice control to toilet. I usually try the latter and on one occasion we were in a grassy park on the outskirts of Chicago, not a manicured lawn or anything, in fact the grass was longer and left to grow a bit, it also had some tyre tracks in in from maintenance vehicles. So, at the edge of the park we let Caesar off the lead to toilet, (pick up bags in hand). Would you believe it, a police car appeared form nowhere! "Put the dog on the leash ma'am" came ringing out over the police car loud haler. Caught, well and truly, and poor Caesar hadn't even had the chance to relieve himself!
I certainly hope that the Dog Control Orders we are seeing increasingly implemented by councils here in the U.K. don't lead to a similar situation where a dog can't relieve itself off a lead for fear of the police showing up, and that the socialisation of the dog community suffers as a result.
Beijing 2008 Torch Relay
Proud Participants
About Us
- Wendy & Caesar
- South Coast, United Kingdom
- I am a wheelchair user and have been partnered with Caesar for just over 8 years. Caesar is a Golden Retriever, he's a Registered Assistance Dog from Dogs for the Disabled in the U.K. Both accomplished travellers, Wendy & Caesar have dined in the Members Dining Room in the House of Commons,London & The Senators Dining Room, Capitol Hill, Washington D.C. & given a presentation at an event held at The European Parliament. Apart from being a Registered Assistance Dog in the U.K. Caesar has taken and passed his Kennel Club Good Citizen Dog Scheme Bronze, Silver & Gold awards in the U.K. and his American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen Award and Therapy Dogs International Test in the U.S.A. Quite possibly the first British dog to have done so. After winning a national contest where Wendy was nominated as an "Everyday Hero" both Wendy & Caesar carried the Olympic Torch across London Bridge during its journey around the world prior to the Beijing Olympics in 2008.
Caesar the Trendsetter!
On a sunny day, one can always use a hat!
2 comments:
I have had MANY encounters with dogs who are "off leash". These dogs are running down busy streets and aggressively approach MY dogs who ARE on leash...I applaud the enforcement of our leash laws which is in the best interest of ALL including the dogs!! Keep up the good work Chicago !
As a resident of Chicago who has had my on-leash dogs attacked by dogs off leash I am very supportive of our leash laws. In a large city these leash laws are important and are not enforced enough.
And it is for the dogs protection, too. An unleashed dog can run off into traffic and be hit by a car. Your dog may be special and unlikely to run into traffic, but most dogs aren't and the city can't write laws for the few exceptions. Glad that we have these leash laws.
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