What's the point of walking a dog on a leash, though? Dogs need to stretch their legs. They're supposed to run around. The underlying problem is people taking in animals as pets without taking the responsibility that should be required as a dog owner.

A dog needs to run, but not all the time and in all places. Walking on a leash is a required skill unless you live in a very remote area that you never leave.

Just leave the dog at home. My point is why take the dog somewhere if you can't let it off the leash? Jeeze... Touched a nerve here it seems.

It’s a wildlife refuge, Brad.

His point is obviously that that is not an appropriate place to walk a dog at all.

Given the response, it’s obviously not.

Given what response? It was my point.

The dozen or so mistakenly angry replies and downvotes. If that is your point, it isn’t at all obvious from your comment.

The fact that the average HN voter can’t read isn’t evidence that the GP meant something.

Go buy a few private acres for that. If your dog shares public space with others you don’t get to just let it off leash.

I'm American, but I've lived in Germany (Hamburg) for ~1 year, cumulatively. I recall most dogs being leashed, but at least a few not. It didn't seem to matter to me, because every dog there was damn well trained. In that year, I think can recall one instance of a dog barking inappropriately (to the mortification of its owner).

I remember one dog in particular, which was unleashed and running with its owner, who was on a bike. It would run ahead, staying on the correct part of the sidewalk, until it reached a crosswalk or corner, then stop and calmly wait for its owner to catch up and give permission to cross. I think one time (of the 3 crosswalks it was in view for) it got impatient and went back to its owner instead of waiting in place.

As a result, dogs are commonly (though not always) allowed in restaurants -- they stay quietly under the table -- and some other venues, which would be unthinkable in the US.

There's not too much of a point to this comment, just sharing perspective. I guess if anything it's that I wouldn't be so categorical about "if X, then Y, period".

It's exactly the same in Switzerland. Dogs are so well behaved I wonder if they are a special breed altogether

Your wording might be a bit harsh, but I agree:

Dogs need (outdoor) space. As a dog owner you carry that responsibility.

Having a garden to (mostly) take care of this seems obvious. If not, when using public space instead, it seems strange to expect others (wildlife, kids,...) to take this for granted?

That’s his point.

There are special places to let dog off leash to run around... Or buy a house with a yard

In some places they are aptly named "off leash parks".

Those are full of drama.

Someone’s dog gets bitten every week or so and it’s a huge outrage.

Periodically a little dog goes into the big dog area and gets torn to shreds.

Now I have used same locations many times without issues. But it happens.

And there's always that one dog that hogs the fetch ball. Good for the vet business.