Leash Law

Daddy and I have had some spirited discussions about freedom. Specifically how free I should be when we are out on walks.

In order to energize the discussion, I insisted I should walk freely. It seems Daddy’s entire opposition was based on this city ordinance:

Every person who owns, keeps, or is in charge of a dog shall restrain the dog at all times.

I have to admit that appears to make my side look pretty weak.

But as Daddy often reminds me, so much of legal interpretation comes down to the definitions of certain terms. So the question becomes “How restrained am I required to be?”

Daddy seems to think that the definition of restrained is self evident. “End of discussion,” he said. That is when I dove a little deeper and found the definition of restraint:

An animal shall be deemed to be restrained when it is:

(1) Confined on the premises of the owner within a fence or enclosure;

(2) Fastened or picketed by a lead rope so as to keep the animal on the premises;

(3) Under the control of a person by a leash;

(4) On or within a vehicle being driven or parked: or

I’d just like to note that Daddy was smiling big-time until we got to subparagraph (5).

(5) At heel beside a competent person and obedient to that person’s command.

Ha! I had just uncovered my key to unfettered strolling!

“Not so fast,” said Daddy, interrupting my celebration, my Jubilee. “That provision hinges on the phrase ‘obedient to that person’s command.’”

I reminded him that I sit, shake hands, and give high-fives on command. Daddy countered with the fact that I only do that when there are treats at stake and that it had little to do with obedience. He went on to cite countless dog-expert references that describe a Husky as being highly independent and, thus, unsuitable for disciplined endeavors.

Strategically, I knew I had to move him away from the topic of obedience. And I did it with an old negotiator’s ploy.1 I switched sides.

“You’re correct that we are disqualified from me being allowed to walk off-leash,” I began, “but it’s not for the reason you cited.”

Daddy looked at me incredulously. “Then what is it?”

“Subparagraph (5) requires that I be walking beside a competent person,” I declared. “Therefore, we are ineligible to rely on it.”

“You’re saying that I’m incomp . . .”

“Without a doubt,” I interrupted.

I’m not sure what was going through Daddy’s head at that moment, but his head seemed like it was going to explode. I quickly intervened.

“So how about we just declare this a draw,” I proposed. “We’ll keep using the leash. You tell people that I’m a very intelligent and obedient canine. And you continue to let me have a lot of leash when it comes to sniffing on our walks.”

“Deal,” Daddy said and commanded, “Shake!” But I didn’t because there were no treats at hand. A competent person would have thought that through in advance. See my point?2