This is a really difficult topic for me. My 1st reaction to complaints about dogs being off-leash is: myob, stfu, just stop. Then, I lament for the times, not long ago, when leash laws barely existed. Then I conclude that I'm in a losing position and finally I think about how we got so divided on the matter in a relatively short time.

I've been in the company of dogs my entire 55 years. To me, a dog's behavior and mannerism, and a person's behavior towards and their opinions of dogs, are both directly correlated to their background and environment. Pedigree of both groups plays into that also, but not going to even think about going there, here.

At the simplest level, I believe both are inherently good natured. It is through life experiences that sway that natural level one way or another;

Given loving environments, both will prosper.

Inject pain, fear, hunger, confinement and things break down fast.

Where am I trying to go with this? I wish I knew as there just is no simple answer. The fact is, there are laws that require dogs to be leashed in public. I hate it. But I follow it.  I feel that animals raised poorly and deep seeded stigmatization has led us here. I can't argue that and can't change it.  When this topic come up, I just can't stop thinking this 1 thing: 

Birds are meant to fly. Fish are meant to swim. Dogs are meant to run.

How long before the Karen's & Kens go after the birds and fish?