よくスーパーの前とかにわんわんお繋いで買い物にいってる人いるじゃん？あーゆーのって恐くないのかな？【再】
This article poses a simple question: "Is it really safe to leave your dog tied up outside a supermarket while you shop?"
Concerns are frequently voiced online about dogs potentially escaping or being stolen.
It prompts us to reconsider pet owners' responsibilities and the safe management of pets in public spaces.
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Lead-As-Dog (L.A.D.)
"Lead-As-Dog" (L.A.D.) refers to the practice, common in Western countries, of temporarily tethering a dog to an entrance of a store or public facility and leaving it unattended. While literally meaning "to tether a dog with a lead," it implies the owner's judgment that it's acceptable for a short time, along with inherent potential risks. Although there isn't a widely recognized direct term for this in Japan, the practice is frequently observed. The main benefit is convenience for the owner, but dogs may experience stress and anxiety from being left alone in an unfamiliar place. For passersby, especially children or those afraid of dogs, it can cause fear due to unexpected barking or jumping, or trigger allergic reactions. Furthermore, health risks like heatstroke or hypothermia, escape if the lead comes undone, or even theft or abuse by unscrupulous individuals are undeniable. Many local animal welfare ordinances mandate proper management by owners to prevent animals from harming people, but whether "Lead-As-Dog" specifically violates this depends on the situation. This practice should be carefully considered from multiple perspectives: owner responsibility, animal welfare, and public manners.
Animal Welfare
Animal welfare refers to an animal's mental and physical state of well-being, focusing on the "quality of life" rather than merely the "right to live." Internationally, the "Five Freedoms" are widely recognized as a standard: freedom from hunger and thirst, freedom from discomfort, freedom from pain, injury, and disease, freedom to express normal behavior, and freedom from fear and distress. Tethering a dog outside a supermarket can be problematic from an animal welfare perspective. Firstly, regarding "freedom from discomfort," there's a question of whether the dog is adequately protected from ground temperatures (hot asphalt in summer, cold in winter), direct sunlight, or wind and rain. Especially in Japan's hot and humid summers, even short-term tethering poses a very high risk of heatstroke. Secondly, concerning "freedom to express normal behavior," being fixed in a small area deprives the dog of opportunities to move freely, explore, or interact with other dogs. The most significant concern is "freedom from fear and distress." Being in an environment surrounded by strangers, unfamiliar sounds, and other dogs without the owner present can cause extreme anxiety and fear for the dog. This can lead not only to stress behaviors (e.g., continuous barking, trembling) but also potentially to aggressive behavior. Even if owners think "it's only for a short while, it's fine," dogs cannot understand the situation. From an animal welfare perspective, it's crucial to recognize that temporarily leaving pets unattended can impose significant mental and physical burdens on them.
Risk of Pet Escape and Theft
Tethering a dog outside a supermarket carries significant risks of pet escape (running away) and theft. First, regarding escape: dogs can panic from unexpected loud noises (car horns, construction sounds, thunder), the approach of unfamiliar people or animals, or sudden environmental changes, causing their lead to come undone, hardware to break, or collar to slip off, leading them to run away. Escaped dogs face a very high risk of traffic accidents, with numerous dogs hit by cars annually. They can also cause incidents like biting others or getting lost. Although microchipping is now mandatory in some places, there's no guarantee an escaped dog will return to its owner. Second, regarding theft risk: unfortunately, pet theft remains prevalent. Pedigreed dogs or popular breeds, in particular, can fetch high prices and are often targeted for resale. If dog information is shared on social media, specific breeds or characteristics might attract thieves. Indeed, reports of dogs being stolen while tethered outside supermarkets or convenience stores are heard across the country. Stolen dogs are often illegally traded through pet shops, breeders, or private individuals, and once stolen, it is extremely difficult for them to return to their owners. Considering these risks, owners must deeply understand that a "just for a little while" decision can lead to irreversible consequences and should prioritize the safety of their beloved pets. The most certain preventive measure is, above all, not to leave pets tethered and unattended in public places.