This community is far too lax on leashing their dogs when going out on walks. Not only is this against the law, it's an extreme inconvenience to those of us who are restraining our dogs. I have had my dog get attacked, yanked back by her leash, and my hands burned by my leash in the past few months.
YOUR dog may be the calmest dog imaginable, but that doesn't mean their instincts wont kick in. It also doesn't mean OTHER dogs won't channel their primal instincts.