Leash Laws?! Who Needs 'Em?!

We recently adopted a dog from the Humane Society of Utah. Her name is Coco. She's a 5 year old German Shepherd mix. Even though she is very well behaved and loving, since she is my first dog ever, it's all pretty overwhelming. Friday and Saturday were no exception. Friday was Coco's first morning alone in the house outside her crate. I was only working a half day, so it was a great opportunity to test her out. She did amazing! Not a thing was touched. When I got home, I had to get her ready to go to the vet. So we went on a walk. Not one of our greatest walks (Saturday's was worse), but I guess I can't blame her for wanting to chase a cat and attack an annoying Pomeranian (sp?). Oh well. The vet appointment went well. Until she was finished and they brought her back out to me. She was so crazy excited and wound up, that she squirmed out her collar and leash!!! I was so panicked (and embarrassed)! She trotted off over to the cash registers, right by the front door (I take my pets to Banfield in Petsmart). So I quickly walked over to her and called her over. She came right over to me and sat down as I put the collar back over her head. I was shocked. It could have been so much worse. Friday evening was capped off with her throwing up. Fun times!! Yeah, so I'm really enjoying this whole dog thing.

Now for point of my title. I took Coco for a walk yesterday afternoon. I took her on one of my favorite routes because I never see any other dogs. Until yesterday, that is. We round a corner and down a driveway comes a yappy Pomeranian. We've already established that Coco does not care for this breed. It ran right up to us (no leash) and was barking like crazy which actually scared Coco a bit. As I was proceeding to cross the street to get away from this yapper, one of the biggest German Shepherds I've ever seen comes trotting down the same driveway and again, no leash. It comes right over. I get Coco behind me, but it doesn't matter - this dog proceeds to attack my dog!!! I couldn't believe this was actually happening. So I scream like no other and kick the dog. It immediately stops and retreats. That's awesome that it stopped, but where in the hell are these dogs' owner??!!! It's so irresponsible, and I can't even understand it. I immediately turned around and walked back home, and as I was, I see a pug running down the same driveway and, again, no leash. That's 3 dogs left completely unattended to wander wherever they please with no leashes in sight. What's worse, is that with all my screaming and dog growling and barking, nobody ever came out to see what was going on - not the owner, not any of the neighbors. Awesome. I love people.

So, in summary, I have two things to say:
1) This whole dog ownership thing is not what I signed up for.
2) If you own a dog and don't keep it on a leash, SHAME ON YOU!

A picture of the cutie that's adding all this lovely stress to my life has been posted over on the right.