Lorain Man Seen Hitting Dog on Lead From Sidewalk — Debate Erupts Over Who Crossed the Line

By Erik Jones | Lorain Daily

A video that circulated across Lorain social media has triggered strong reactions and sparked a wider debate: Did a man go too far by striking a dog from the public sidewalk, or was he acting in self-defense?

The video, now removed but screen-recorded by several users, shows a man walking on a public sidewalk as a dog approaches him. The dog appears to be on a lead. The man is seen making contact with the dog—either swatting or hitting it—as the dog moves back. A second, smaller dog is also nearby. What occurred before the video began remains unknown.

https://www.facebook.com/reel/2430303023976201
(see the full video in the link above.)

Mandy Glass, the dog’s owner, says the widely shared assumptions about the incident are inaccurate. She states that she was sitting on her front porch with both dogs when the man approached.

According to Glass, the larger dog—a six-month-old puppy—was on a lead and could not move past the sidewalk. The smaller dog, which she says weighs about 18 pounds, was also present but stayed close to her. She claims the man parked near the home, walked directly toward the dogs, and then struck the larger dog.

“He had the audacity to call the cops on me and turn it around like I was the aggressor,” Glass said. “I was just sitting on my front porch.” She described feeling upset about how the situation has been framed, particularly by those who saw the video without knowing the full context. “People think it was just some random passerby and that my dogs were trying to attack him, which wasn’t what happened at all.”

Glass said she remained on her porch during the encounter and did not retaliate physically. She also questioned how the situation might have been viewed differently had it involved a child instead of a pet. “She’s my dog, but she’s like my kid. I don’t have children—that is my child.”

She believes the man’s response was unwarranted and should be considered a case of animal cruelty. “There was no reason for what he did,” she said. “Anybody else would have maybe petted her. His immediate reaction was to hit.”

Some residents have expressed support for Glass online, arguing that the man could have avoided the area or approached more cautiously. Others, however, maintain that the man had every right to be on the public sidewalk and to defend himself if he felt threatened. Several commenters pointed out that even well-meaning dogs can be intimidating or potentially harmful, especially to people with medical conditions or disabilities.

The debate has also highlighted confusion over Ohio’s leash laws and property lines. In Ohio, dogs must be under reasonable control at all times, including on the owner’s property. Leashes or fencing must prevent the dog from entering or interacting with the public space.

While many homeowners believe they own the sidewalk in front of their homes, most sidewalks fall within the public right-of-way. This means that while residents may be responsible for upkeep, pedestrians have a legal right to use them. If a dog on a lead can reach into that space, the owner could potentially be held liable.

The incident has led to heated exchanges online, with strong opinions on both sides. Some believe the video shows clear overreaction, while others argue that safety should always take priority, regardless of the dog’s intent.

At this time, there is no indication that law enforcement has opened an investigation. It remains unclear whether either party plans to take legal action. Some commenters have raised the possibility of animal cruelty charges, while others have pointed to leash law violations.

The situation continues to draw attention across social media, raising broader questions about pet safety, public space, and personal responsibility. Should leads be kept short enough to avoid all contact with sidewalks? Do pedestrians have a duty to avoid animals they perceive as threatening? And how much can a short video really tell?

While the video may be gone from its original post, its impact in Lorain is still being felt. For now, the community remains divided—and the question of who was truly at fault is still open for discussion.