Jerusalem man jailed for walking dog without leash

So he is in prison for arguing and not putting a leash on his dog. It would be intersting to see how his sentence compares to the sentences of rapists, murderers and child molesters ...and what they actually serve..which always seems ridiculously too little. This is Israel...no jail time or space for murderers but enough jail space for someone annoying.

in Sydney Australia, a new law was just brought in that dog owners who do not walk/excercise their dogs (on a leash off course)will have a jail sentence slapped on them

kol hakavod Irene. outside of me, you sound like the only sane poster. you go girl!!!

to jack, i live in the states in the souyh. what DOES happen here is: animal abuse and crulty is reported to the authorities. why don,t you try it?

Some people can become completely irrational about their pets. I have seen fist fights by dog owners when their pooches take a dislike to one another. More important there have been many toddlers and babies killed by dogs.

It seems like there was some miscarriage of justice. I understand he made the inspector angry. The inspector was technically correct. If there was a legal process, you can't ditch it and ask him to pay all at once. That's not justice. I don't support the fellow, but something seems wrong here. I don't like it. Cops all over the world abuse citizens at times, but the judges should know better.

No, caning is not the word. And while we're at it, you do not line a dog, you leash him. The man did not insult the officer. He confronted him. There is a difference there and an important one. Now, as to your understanding of the rule of law. You have the right to appeal a speeding ticket. On the other hand, any judge who raises a fine in a case he didn't hear should be ashamed of himself. And if a man is appealing a case--his right under the rule of law--he should not be arrested. Or caned. The whole thing is ridiculous.

some dogs are killers of little children

This is costing the State money? What about some little child that might possible have his or hers face chewed up and ripped off?

kill and maim and leave horrible facial scars, and yes there should be a lease law.

massive numbers of palestinians living in east jerusalem are aghast at the prospect of being ruled by their brethren.they have said that they would migrate west into israel if the prospect of the handing over of east jerusalem was at all seriously discussed. their reasons are twofold: their belief in the israeli judiciary and the welfare benefits paid out to the inhabitants of the city. i do wish more visitors on the site would know more about the trust that has developed in the israeli judiciary by the palestinians who have lived together with us.

... well, S, I do bear a grudge against those two huge mutts...

You were really hurt, badly, and yet, you bear no grudge to anyone... There are not many Esthers around...but they brighten the world for everybody else...

You'd be hearing howls of discrimination, and how Arabs are treated worse than Jews in Israel. If an Arab doesn't pay his rent to his landlord, and is evicted -- within all rights of the law -- the anti-Israeli nitwits raise their hackles. A Jewish man is jailed for a month for walking his dog without a leash, and the "discrimination" charges are nowhere near the surface.

"may i point out to you that palestinians in israel refuse to come under the jurisdiction of the palestinian authority.they prefer to be ruled by israel.they would rather be subject to israeli law." am Sure avraham---name them. Should be relatively easy.

"may i point out to you that palestinians in israel refuse to come under the jurisdiction of the palestinian authority.they prefer to be ruled by israel.they would rather be subject to israeli law." am Sure avraham---name them. Should be relatively easy.

It's a great pity that the judical system does not handle our local MAFIA with such speed and severity. To the judge who handled this , I say "SHAME ON YOU ". We are back in chelm.

I was planning a trip to Jerusalem some day. This article changed my mind. If municipal people have the law in their own hands there really isn't justice. I can tell by the story that this inspector got a bit personal with his duties and his "power" went to his head. A small fine would be appropriate, but this was./is ridiculous.

may i point out to you that palestinians in israel refuse to come under the jurisdiction of the palestinian authority.they prefer to be ruled by israel.they would rather be subject to israeli law.

yes thank you.i believe we are. one example.at the height of our involvement in lebanon in the eighties the different sides in particular the christians and druze came to us to ajudicate betwen them and solve problems that came up between them.

let us do a simple bit of maths.you americans have killed more iraqis in a very few years then we have in all our wars over the last sixty one wars.think on that and let me have your answer.

These municipal inspectors are real nonentities, who are doing the most dirty work, despiced by everybody, for miserable wage. These are people who can do nothing else, who didn't learn in their lives, who are uncapable of physical work, in short, absolute zeroes. We have many troubles in this country: terror, drought, social gaps, bad education, violence of the youth and many others. But all these troubles do not affect the daily lives of simple Israelis. But the municipal inspectors are trouble, that we encounter always, every day. I know, that there must be people, doing this dirty job. But still, I, as almost all Israelis, have utter contempt toward those, who do it, because they can do nothing else.

A while ago, on a leash ofcourse, took a grandchild's miniature poodle to the vet for a routine injection. On the way we encountered two large hefty mutts romping around fake-belligerently with one another. The instant they say our small white hound they made a beeline for him. He in fright leapt straight into my arms, the two mutts leapt onto him... if there hadn't been a hedge behind me, I'd have keeled over completely. By this time the apologetic owner of the mutts had appeared with two leashes... We got to the vet... but on the morrow I could not get out of bed due to excruciating backache, first time ever. Xrays and CTs showed misalighned spinal sacrals and lumbers and whatever... Guys and gals, leash your dogs, or expect fines etc. (No, I did not sue anyone...)

Walking the dog without a leash ends a man in jail. Yet terrorizing Palestinians is ignored? This is a curious set of values.

There are so many important things to worry about and this Inspector is worried about unleashed dogs? Was the dog attacking someone?

But some people believe they are much more trusty than humans. The report does not mention the dog's race, for example a chihuahua or a rottweiler. And the clean up of the dog's dejects is a simple matter of education.

There is no justice in that court system! They are operating like a Mafia organization and robbing their own people. Get out of Israel as fast as you can!

because his dog wasn't on a lead. Yet people who burn copies of the Holy Koran in a mosque walk free. Modern Israel truly a light unto nations.

The Law is the Law. Nekuda. Why the dog was not punished? Sure he/she deserved the death penalty for such an transgression of the Law. And what punishment is suitable for prisoners walking without a leash ??

had the dog attacked someone the damage would have been greater

This whole affair, may well be a precedent for those that allow their dogs to roam the streets and in many cases scaring the good folk, in fact we have cases here in Switzerland where dogs have killed children and cases of dogs killing dogs. Municipal laws in most countries demand that dogs be walked on a leash. The Jerusalem man in question, broke the law. In Switzerland there are special parks, where you are allowed to let your mutt run free. Then again, that is where the dog fights end up. So, maybe its time for the dogs to stay on the farm, certainly not locked up in some city apartment. Hey, kitty,kitty where are you...? Out again, my alley cat searching for a mutt to scratch. Shalom ve shavua tov.

Who is walking his dog while he's in jail?

"Dogs must be on a leash". Said nothing about "All" dogs. If it did not mean all dogs, can we have a list of those it disregarded.

"Dogs must be on a leash". Said nothing about "All" dogs. If it did not mean all dogs, can we have a list of those it disregarded.

Why was the Municipal Inspector able to fine him 1000 NIS? Why was the "trial" expedited? Why wasn't he allowed to appeal? Was he locked up at the police station for 10 days before he was sent to serve his sentence? Why? This article is either poorly written or evidence of a very corrupt justice system. The reactions of many of those replying to the article show a need in improving the educational system.

Poor Guy For the most part, pet dogs are 100% friendly. Another way municipality has to rip off good citizens. And all that interest rate, what for??? Laws should be changed to benefit dog owners ASAP. I dont blame him. How many days does a husband get in jail for beating up his wiefe??? ZERO

If this was the mans first offense then he should have been given a warning, it should have never even gone to court, The police should have given him a warning and said put the dog on a leash now. If it went to court the judge should have given him a warning at worst a fine. This punishment is a waste of police time arresting him & filing reports. Its a waste of court time. Its waste of states money because every prisoner in jail cost the state money to take care of them. Its probably going to get him into alot of trouble at work which is costing company time and money. This punishment is hurting alot of people directly & indirectly and there was no reason for it at all. It should have been a police warning or a fine nothing more.

How many children these dogs have to kill or leave disabled before you people start taking this seriously? It's not the fault of the dog, it's the fault of the owner, and if he doesn't want to pay fine, he should be in jail.

When the state doesn't jail corrupt prime ministers or a rapist for an ex president. When we release 100's terrorists for one soldier and they go jail a dog walker. Sorry to say (and I live her in Israel) but what a sad pathetic country we have become

- at least he's got the name for his next film...

Pathetic and sad. Little municipal workers and little judges who sadistically harm others to boost their own lack of self-worth. To what extent is this a reflection of Israeli (mis)governance?

They jail a guy for walking his dog with no leash, but they let hundreds of terrorists go because their brothers-in-arms kidnap an israeli. what a stupid legal system.

In Switzerland every place where one might walk their dog there is a very clean bin containing dog "poop" bags. I haven't heard of any problems and everybody with a dog NEVER goes walking without one in the hand.

How many days in jail should he spend then but by then won't be too late? Next time he should show up for his court date!

had this been a haredi transgressing some obscure municipal law, the usual coterie of talkbackers would have been out in force. As it is there is a deathly silence. But a Russian film-maker? That's a different kettle of fish. I for one am actually quite happy and I hope that this serves as a warning to all the others that walk dogs off their leashes. The problem has increased dramatically over the past few years, and the size of the dogs is regularly completely disproportionate to the size of the accommodation. Animals that should have quite a large area to roam in are locked out on balconies where they can hardly walk around and are left there, whining for hours. Funny, isn't it that the animal rights groups haven't seen fit to take up on this. I wonder why.

how much went into the Inspector's pocket?

What is worse leaving a dog off the leash or to allow the dog to defecate on some one else's footpath or park without picking up. We have a neighbour a dog owner who mistreats the animal, tying it up with a rope in filthy area in a restricted place, allowing it to howl with pain and bark at all hours of the day and night. Sure there are rules about dogs that owners should abide by. Where is the consistent enforcement by our stop start Municipal bureaucracy? It should begin with cleaning up the surrounding area around Gan Sacher and opposite a building at 6 Saadia Hagon.

I agree and disagree with some of the posters above. Dogs should be walked on a leash, not only for the sake of other people but for the dog's own safety. Many people here in Israel are scared of dogs because they have never been exposed to them. I own a small dog. He loves children and so many of our friend's children who WERE scared of dogs are now quite happy to come to him, pat him and make a fuss of him. He of course loves it. That said, I must also state that he is never let out of our property without a leash. now and then we let him out into the parking area, but he is well trained and very obedient and as soon as we call he comes back, with his tail between his legs becuse he knows he is not allowed to run ahead of us. Oh, when he DOES poop in the street or parking lot, who ever has taken him out has a plastic bag with them to pick it up.

As a small (7kg) dog owner I always walk my mutt on a leash. A lot of children are afraid of dogs & letting a dog run free is wrong & against the law. I can't count the amount of times loose dogs have run up to my dog & tried to attack him. The sad part is their owners think it is funny!

Is his dog serving the sentence with him? If not not, why not? How much would it cost to keep the dog in prison? This is just too much. If it not a dangerous dog breed, there is absolutely no reason for the court to get so carried away. Unfortunately the majority of Israelis just don't have any dog culture.

The bottom line on this, of course, is that the guy flagrantly broke the law. If only this could be applied to 1000 other irresponsible dog owners across the country, then maybe they'd get the message and obey the law. Those of us who are sick and tired of stepping in dog poop, or having our kids step or crawl in dog poop, and having to rescue little kids screaming in fear from an animal twice their size sniffing their private parts - well, dog owners should get the message. Sorry that this guy didn't show up for his trial, and refused to pay the fine on time. Betcha when he gets out he buys a new leash.

Not funny. sound like something that would happen in the South in the States, to a Jew, African American or Muslim. So whats next for him.

And how much money is this costing the State ? Take it out of the Inspector's salary.

Even though this guy was breaking some minor law what happened afterwards is a classic example of how 'state terror' can demand money and take away your freedom for not paying said demands . And the 'state' gave an 'official' the right to hand out indefinite detention for a dog without a leash but rioting and other public order offences go unpunished in Jerusalem (unless you are Arab). Wake up, this guy could have been any of us arguing over an over priced fine.

I have enough of those dog owners - they pollute the streets and laws - we feel those public areas are confiscated to children! And if you say something they take it personal and create neighborhood issues - they prefer their dogs to their children....and the noise 85 Decibels....they don't care! My baby is always disturbed...enough is enough!

I can imagine the J'lem prison will be like a 1 star hotel or even less. In Dutch prison one prisoner costs 1000 NIS per day incl television in the room, spacious room, with use of internet and phone in the day room. Now seriously: the man should have paid the fine and let the case rest. The cities should fine more people, too many dogs running on the streets scaring kids and cyclists. Fine some more and perhaps the problem will be over soon.

The Beauty of Bureaucracy! Real Life as entertainment. I'm sure he's learning his lesson. Maybe he'll make a prize winning documentary about the Inspector and the judge and the law and the jail system.

For crying out loud!! This bureaucracy is so sick. It ranges from 25 days for walking a dog to kicking Jews out of their homes because their Jews. Shame on the government

I am sick of people and their dogs running around cities, polluting the street with their feces (which lazy dog owners) refuse to clean up or leave on my doorstep. I also am sick of having to dodge unleashed dogs running around in the middle of the street, or being chased by dogs whilst on my bicycle. Maybe this jailing will serve as a warning to other obnoxious dog walkers to mind their dogs! if it were up to me, i would ban dogs altogether from cities (their are beasts and should live in the woods- not in cities with people and children)!

... the badness of too many people... including even the law... not to speak of those who attack mosques...

I also hope that as a public personality (a prize winnig film director) he will make a lot of noise of it.

This should be done with all of them. I greatly applaud this move. What is wrong with this? First of all, one HAS to line a dog and one has to cane him (is that the right word?). If one does not do that, one gets a FINE. What exactly was this guy disputing? If I get a traffic ticket for speeding, am I going to argue with the traffic cop that it's unfair? NO. The law is the law, definitely regarding such clear black-and-white issues. He chose to confront and insult the municipal inspector - for which he justly got a fine. It was his decision not to pay the fine and appear in court. And again it was his decision not to pay the fine. He could simply have put his dog on a leash, according to the law, and nothing would ever have happened. And when fined, he should have accepted the fine and should have promised not to walk with his dog without a leash again. It's all his own fault - why does this earn a place in a newspaper, except as a piece praising the municipal inspector and court?