Leashes

Before this class I have never thought of that the use of leashes on dogs could be disturbing. However, it is hard to agree with their use when we consider the dog as being at least a semi-autonomous and sentient being. The thought of the dog, who I believe knows enough of itself and its own existence to be aware that its freedom is being restricted, being drug along by a person is disturbing.

This leads me to ask, what about kids on leashes? We've all seen them, those parents at the mall who tote around their toddlers on leashes as if they were their pets. People are often deeply disturbed by these people, and I have to admit that I am one of them. There is something intuitively wrong about essentially putting a being in chains that would otherwise decide not to be. If we are to place the dog somewhere between child and friend then I wonder why we are not more disturbed at seeing dogs on leashes.

Perhaps it is because we have grown up seeing dogs on leashes and aren't as used to seeing toddlers strapped in their harnesses. Maybe it's because a toddler is more aware that they are being detained than a dog is. I think, though, that where the major difference with this issue stems from the fact that we leash dogs because we feel that we have ownership over them whereas some leash children because they wish to protect them from harm. Of course, some dog owners also feel that they are protecting their animals from danger by putting them on a leash as well. Maybe those owners deserve their own category, but that would be for another blog.

I'm wondering how we would fix the problem of putting pets on leashes against their will. What problems do you think would arise from banning leashes for pets as well as children?