Forget the insurance company. Do YOU personally consider me to be an irresponsible driver simply because I tell you that I sometimes intentionally drive over the posted speed limit? (Even by 1 mph?)

I think most people in our society would not only say no, but would consider the question ridiculous. And yet everyone in this thread seems to believe that keeping your dog on a leash in public places (even if nobody else is there) is one of the pillars of responsible dog ownership. And that allowing your dog off-leash on the bike path is automatically and unconditionally an irresponsible act.