“I’m hoping folks will realize that sitting on a busy sidewalk or being left tied up outside is not a pleasant experience for every dog”

“Dear PoPville,

I live along 17th Street in Dupont and love how dog-friendly the neighborhood is and that so many establishments allow dogs in shops or on their patios.

However, there are a couple of folks in our neighborhood with dogs that “aren’t friendly” who still insist on bringing them along to sit on the sidewalk while they dine outside. More than once, unprovoked, I’ve had the same dog lunge, barking hysterically and snapping at myself and my dog. The owner berated me for letting my dog get close to hers, although her dog was lying in the middle of the sidewalk. Another time, I saw a woman bend down to greet a different dog at the same restaurant, and the dog snapped and bit her finger so hard that she was bleeding.

I know dogs on patios and at restaurants are a rather controversial issue in DC these days, and I love being able to take my dog along at times, but I’m hoping folks will realize that sitting on a busy sidewalk or being left tied up outside is not a pleasant experience for every dog, especially those that are already anxious and aren’t friendly with other dogs and people.”