What do you think of this?

[Kayla]

Over the weekend I was staying at my friend's place in the country with Duke. Her property backs onto a wooded area with a river so we decided to go hiking with Duke. Next to her property is a GINORMOUS mansion which is completely fenced in that has 10 gaurd dogs that live outside on the grounds. My friend's landlord says the dogs are Central Asian Shepherds and have big wooly coats to protect them from the cold.

My issue isn't with the dog's living outside as they all appeared to be in good shape and have a big sheltered area. My issue is what we discovered as we were hiking through the wooded area (away from their property). As we were coming back to the trail that leads up to her property we noticed that directly next to where we were hiking was a large trail that had been recently mowed that lead straight up the hill to a large gate where the gaurd dog's live. This area may belong to the owners of the house but it's not fenced in at all!

My friend and I decided that we would not go back hiking on our side of the property until she had a chance to talk to the owners of the property to see how often they let their dog's loose down in the ravine.

Even if they do own the property (which is likely as their mansion and property above the ravine is huge) doesn't it seem like they have the responsibility to properly fence in the area where they let loose that many large gaurd dogs?

Kayla

 

[Lizmo]

No. If it's their property and they let there dogs loose outside of that fence, I see no problem. If they are outside with their dogs when they are out of that fence, on the property, I have no problems. It's *their* property.

Even if it isn't their property, if they are coming outside that fence with there dogs, it doesn't mean the dogs are going to attack you. They could very well be under 100% voice control.

 

[sillysally]

They certainly have a right to let their dogs loose on their own property. I probably would be cautious in that area now that you know that they do let the dogs run there occasionally--10 loose strange dogs of any kind would make me a little uneasy, much less 10 loose dogs specifically there to guard property....

 

[Jules]

While yes, it is their property and they have the right to let their dogs go, I don't think it would hurt to politely ask the owners how often and under what supervision the dogs are able to run in the unfenced area. I mean, I would feel extremely uncomfortable walking down a trail, maybe even with my dog, knowing that at any time 10 COA's could come charging down the track... and I think that's a reasonable concern. I'd just be very polite and hope for their understanding.