A morning walk at a neighborhood park turned into an emergency for a Houston man and his dog, and now, both he and an animal behavior expert are speaking out about safety, leash laws, and what pet owners can do to prevent similar incidents.
Nathan Sims says last Sunday started like many other mornings. He brought his Australian shepherd mix, Charlie, to a nearby park where the two often play fetch and walk the trails.
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At around 6:30 a.m., Sims says the park appeared empty.
“I let him off because he likes to sniff around,” Sims said. “Then I saw him stand at attention, and within a few feet, he scampered over to that person and their dog. The dog snapped, there was a small tussle, and the man told me, ‘I stabbed him.’”
Sims says he noticed blood “pouring out” and immediately took off his shirt to apply pressure.
“I thought he might die. There was so much blood,” Sims said. “We rushed to the ER.”
Charlie underwent surgery and is now recovering at home.
Sims says he filed a police report with the Houston Police Department but was told that because Charlie was off-leash, no citation would be issued to the other owner.
“They told me that if a dog’s off leash and someone feels it’s a threat, they can kind of do what they want,” Sims said.
In both the City of Houston and unincorporated Harris County, leash laws require that dogs be restrained at all times in public.
- City of Houston: Dogs must be under direct physical control, typically on a leash no longer than six feet, unless in a designated dog park or securely fenced area.
- Harris County: In unincorporated areas, dogs must also be on a leash no longer than six feet or otherwise restrained. Unrestrained dogs can be considered a public nuisance and impounded.
Violating these laws can lead to fines. If an off-leash dog harms another person or animal, the owner may face civil liability and, in some cases, criminal charges.
Animal behaviorists say these laws aren’t just about control — they’re about preventing exactly the kind of situation Sims says he experienced.
Lisa Tynan, a dog behaviorist with the Harris County Animal Shelter who has worked in animal welfare for 15 years, says leash laws exist to protect everyone.
“Just because you have a really well-trained dog doesn’t mean everybody else does,” Tynan said. “If everyone’s walking their dog on a leash, everybody stays safe.”
Tynan says dog owners should never assume another dog is friendly. Even a well-socialized dog can react unpredictably in a new setting.
Her top recommendations:
- Stay aware of your surroundings. Watch for other dogs and people approaching, especially if you don’t know them.
- Ask before allowing dogs to meet. Never assume it’s okay for your dog to run up to another animal.
- Carry safety tools. Items like an extra leash, small pet first aid kit, walking stick, or air horn can help prevent or defuse a dangerous encounter.
- Know your dog’s limits. Some dogs simply don’t enjoy interacting with others. Respect that.
- Respond early. If you see a situation developing, leash your dog and create distance before it escalates.
“If you can leash the other dog or distract them, you might prevent something from going horribly wrong,” Tynan said.
Sims says he’s grateful Charlie survived, but the experience has changed how he’ll approach their walks.
“I don’t think anyone expects something like this to happen,” Sims said. “I just hope people think about safety before it escalates.”
Charlie is expected to make a full recovery, but Sims says he’s now more cautious — and hopes sharing his story will remind pet owners to be prepared, understand the law, and protect their dogs.
