Dog's Best Friend
by Dr. Faith Hughes, D.V.M.
At least once weekly, as I drive down Wakulla Arran Rd on my way to work, I see the cutest little black and white dog IN THE ROAD! He's usually visiting the kids at the bus stop or the black lab and terrier that live in the same neighborhood. I'm not sure which home he belongs to, but I always blow the horn in hopes that the owners will hear me and see that their pet is IN THE ROAD. Once, the terrier was out of her fenced yard so I picked her up and put her inside the gate. The kid at the bus stop gave me a dirty look when I picked up the pet, I guess she thought I was
about to steal a dog.
There was a tan Chihuahua who liked to play in the road, also...haven't seen him in a while. I tried to pick him up once to take him to his owner, but he chased me back in my vehicle! You gotta be careful around a Chihuahua.
I'm sure everyone that reads this article has had similar experiences. All too often, these loose pets are run over, attacked by other dogs, etc. What are the two things that could keep these dogs safe? A FENCE AND A LEASH.
A simple fence can protect your dog from getting into the road, can keep neighborhood dogs from getting to your dog, can keep your dog from getting lost. Think of all the money you'll save on veterinary expenses to treat broken legs and wounds from dog fights. Think of all the heartbreak that can be avoided by preventing fatal injuries to your dogs. What will you tell the kids when their family dog has gone missing?
You can put up a 40 ft. X 40 ft. field fence in the back yard for a few hundred dollars. If you have tiny dogs, you need to look for fencing with smaller openings or even use chicken wire on the bottom. If you think field fence is unsightly or if you live in a neighborhood that restricts the type of fencing, try chain link or wood fences. Just remember that pets can squeeze under the gate, so make sure it is close to the ground. You can also put bricks or large rocks under the gate so dogs cannot dig out. If your dog digs out, try laying fence wire on the ground at the edge of your fenced area. The dogs cannot dig through the fence wire, and you can even plant grass over it.
Invisible fences are an option. Your dog has to learn where the invisible fence is located in order the avoid the shocks that will result if he gets too close. You have to remember to keep the fence turned on and keep the collar on your pet. Also remember to turn off the fence or the collar if you are taking your pet out of the yard. The problem with invisible fences is that they don't keep other dogs out of your yard and away from your pets.
Cannot get a fence? Remember not to let your dog out of the house unless it is on a leash. I'm sure that most of you have the perfect dog who would never leave the back yard, but there's always a first time. That first time may be the time that he gets run over or forgets how to get back home. A leash can prevent extensive (expensive) injuries to your pet. I walk my dog on a leash in my neighborhood, but we can't go down a certain street because of the big white fluffy dog who runs out in the street to pick a fight. I guess my neighbor hasn't heard of leash laws.
Wakulla County does have leash laws and the sheriff's department has animal control officers who will pick up loose dogs and take them to "doggy jail". For details on the local leash laws, contact the Wakulla County Animal Control office.
I hope this article persuades at least a few people to get a fence and start using their leashes.
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