A woman has ignited a heated discussion on social media after posting a video of herself walking three large dogs through a department store on April 10. The video, shared on Instagram, shows the woman walking her dogs—one of which she identified as a wolfdog—through a mall that allows pets. While some viewers applauded the woman’s control over her pets, others voiced concerns about public safety, particularly in an area frequented by families with children.
In the video, the woman holds the leashes of her dogs, all of which are not wearing muzzles. A passerby, startled by the dogs’ size and appearance, asked if one was a wolf, to which the woman confirmed it was a wolfdog. The video quickly garnered attention online, sparking a divisive debate.
Critics of the woman’s decision to walk her dogs without muzzles argued that the situation could pose a potential risk, especially in crowded, family-friendly spaces. In response to the backlash, the woman defended her actions, explaining that she was confident in her ability to manage the dogs in any situation, even emergencies.
“I’m using leashes that I can manage with my own strength,” she said, addressing the concerns about her dogs potentially acting out. “If the dogs pull or act out, regular leashes or harnesses wouldn’t be enough, regardless of gender.” She further clarified that she would never bring the dogs out if she couldn’t control them or if they were likely to bite someone.
The woman also pointed out that her dogs do not fall under the legal definition of “fierce dogs,” which includes breeds like Pit Bull Terriers and Rottweilers. As a result, she argued that she was not legally required to muzzle them.
However, some commenters on social media disagreed with her stance, suggesting that even if it wasn’t legally required, muzzling the dogs would have been a responsible and considerate decision. Others raised concerns about her ability to manage the dogs in unforeseen circumstances, questioning whether she could fully control them if an incident occurred.
The debate highlights the ongoing conversation about pet ownership rights, public safety, and the responsibilities of dog owners when it comes to controlling their pets in public spaces.