walking a muzzled dog off lead?

[FestiveBoomBoom]

Today as I was coming out of the dog walking fields I spotted a woman I know with her GSD bitch. It's very aggressive with other dogs and so she keeps her muzzled on walks, rightly so. Anyway she was off lead and as she spotted us her owner had to make a dive for her to grab her before she came running over, she had her by the collar and didn't have a lead with her. As she walked past the bitch was almost choking herself etc.

Is this responsible to walk a muzzled dog off lead and to not even have a lead with you!? I've seen a dog manage to rip it's muzzle off with it's front paws so potentially an off lead muzzled dog is still a big risk? Was this woman being irresponsible? Personally I think she was but interested to hear others opinions

 

[lexiedhb]

Hmmmm yes there is some risk it could get its muzzle off- not ideal- but personally i wouldnt have to much of a problem with it- not carrying a lead is just plain daft though!
Some dogs are less reactive/aggressive when off lead so this could be the reason- good on her for keeping it muzzled tho.

 

[Spudlet]

Some dogs might be muzzled to stop them eating every dead thing that they find, or because they would eat small furries (sighthounds, for example). In this case, they could be off the lead safely. However if a dog is so aggressive to others that it needs muzzling for that reason, I would think a lead or at the very least a long line is required. Especially with a large dog like a GSD - they might not be able to bite with a muzzle on, but they could still hurt a smaller dog or puppy just through their size and weight. Or knock over an owner in their attempts to get at another dog, which could hurt someone, especially an elderly person or child.

 

[SplashofSoy]

Some dogs might be muzzled to stop them eating every dead thing that they find, or because they would eat small furries (sighthounds, for example). In this case, they could be off the lead safely. However if a dog is so aggressive to others that it needs muzzling for that reason, I would think a lead or at the very least a long line is required. Especially with a large dog like a GSD - they might not be able to bite with a muzzle on, but they could still hurt a smaller dog or puppy just through their size and weight. Or knock over an owner in their attempts to get at another dog, which could hurt someone, especially an elderly person or child.

Agree with this as a general rule.

 

[CorvusCorax]

She maybe just forgot the lead, it happens

Muzzling isn't a failsafe, the GSDx at the yard I worked on in Spain managed to kill a few chickens with her muzzle still on.

This girlie should probably be on a line!