STUPID CHOW CHOW JUST ATTACKED MY DOODLE BABY!!!

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

I HATE Stupid dog owners!!! HATE THEM!!!

 

Why would anyone bring a dog to a dog park if they know they have aggression issues?? It was apparantly the first thing this stupid woman said to some of the owners when she came in "my dog is sometimes aggressive with smaller dogs so be careful". SERIOUSLY??

 

So why then, when her dog is attacking my dog does she not get up, put out her cigarette, and pull her dog away? heaven forbid.

 

I don't really remember a whole lot about what happened, but I can still hear my baby squealing and don't know if I'll ever get that sound out of my head. Lucky for her my instincts were quick enough and her skin was not broken by any of the bites. It was certainly nowhere near as a bad as if it were an aggressive pit bull, but still, it was a very terrifying few minutes. Half the other owners in the dog park were in there pulling dogs away, and I had Sophie in my arms before the owner decided to get up and come over. Her dog kept jumping up and biting Sophie's legs trying to pull her back down, each time sophie crying out. Someone finally pulled the dog away, and that's when the owner the decided maybe she should react and take her dog away. I saw her leaving as we were checking Sophie over for any injuries. In then end I think I was far more shaken then she was (thank goodness).

 

Are there laws about stuff like this?? Isn't she obligated to keep her dog under control?? Can't she be fined??

 

In all the chaos I don't really remember much of what happened because of all the adrenalin rushing through me. All I know is my poor doodle wouldn't leave my side or interact with any other dog for a while. I wanted to make sure we left on a positive note so I tried to get her to play again. It wasn't until her friends Abe and Rufus came in about 15 minutes later that she finally started to perk up. That's when Abe's owner pointed out that I was bleeding. I guess with all the adrenalin I hadn't even felt the bite. At some point my left hand got bitten and my arm is badly scratched up. I have no idea if it was the aggressive dog, or one of the other dogs, or even my own.

 

Anyway, I'm ok, and so is my precious SophieBear, thank goodness. But what an ordeal. I'm still shaken an upset. Even though I've been awol from DK for a few weeks it was the first place I came to share my story and vent. Thanks for reading my ramble!

 

 

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

Thanks for this. i love the idea of organizing the community and posting signs. when I spoke with the city officials they say they cannot ban dogs from parks and generally leave it up to the locals to govern the parks. There is a facebook page for this particular park so I will post something in there about coming together to better govern things, and to work with the city to have a sign posted listing the rules of the park.

 

As for not intervening, well, i can't say I regret the bite, it's small and relatively painless compared to how I would have felt if I had stood by watching my doodle get terrorized. She was on her back, screamining in distress. Sophie has never snapped at another dog. I don't think she understands aggression, and I don't think she knew how to defend herself. She was not fighting back, so it wasn't really a dog fight in my opinion, just one dog attacking another. the pole idea is a pretty good idea, as is grabbing the dog by the feet. I realized right away that I should have focused on pulling the other dog away from mine, but there were so many other dogs around and things were so chaotic, and I was in such a panic listening to her cries that I couldn't think of anything else to do in the moment. Hopefully there won't be a next time, but if there is, I hope my reaction will be more cool headed, and I will focus on getting the aggressor out of the equation.

[Barbie]

Do you know if the Chow had a current rabies vaccination? I would definitely find out who that woman is and report her to animal control and the health department. Most states have quarantine laws, requiring the owner to quarantine a dog after it has bitten a person (or even merely just broken the skin with a minor scratch). That woman should not have left that dog unleashed, and knowing the dog's tendency to bite, she can be held civilly liable (in some states, it amounts to strict liability). If you report this, there will be a paper trail, which will be most helpful if the dog bites anyone else again (proof of its agression and its irresponsible owner).

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

I did report it, but not sure it will do any good because I don't know who the owner is.

After i filed the report the public health called me to follow up, as well as a by-law officer. The public health guy said that there really hasn't been a case of rabbies around here for a very long time so the risk was minimal. besides, I've had the rabbies vaccine. I got it two years ago before going to India and Nepal.

[Barbie]

Awesome! You're on the ball, girlfriend! :O) Maybe you'll see that woman again. If she won't give you her name, perhaps you can snag the tag number off the car she leaves in.

[BRADY GOOSE MOORE (Mini Doodle]

Sherri:   I am also from Ottawa and wondering about 'dog parks' - never been to one.   Brady is almost finished his 1st yr. shots and I want to take him to a park.   Could you tell me the park name and location please.   Glad Sophie is o.k. ---that sounded awful!

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

Hi, I go to Jack Purcell Dog Park just off Frank st. and Elgin. I also go to the Lansdowne park just behind the stadium in the Glebe, McNabb (off of Percy and Gladstone), Lemieux Island (just off of the parkway near Parkdale exit). There is the Minto park near my place but it is not fenced in so I rarely let Sophie off leash there, but if it's quiet and her friend Hank is with us then I do since she isn't going anywhere if Hank's around. If you go on the city of Ottawa website it lists all the parks and rules about dogs on leash and off leash. There's a good one off rideau river in brewar's park but I haven't been there either. The Arboritum as well... there are so many options!

 

Conroy Pit (South End) and Bruce Pit (Napean) are the really big ones that are most popular, but I haven't been to those yet either. I'd really like to go this fall sometime.

 

I didn't know you lived in Ottawa! We are getting quite a collection of members. Maybe it's time to organize a romp!

[BRADY GOOSE MOORE (Mini Doodle]

Thanks for the great information about dog parks!   I want a park that is fenced off as Brady has never been 'off leash'.   I live near Civic Hosp. so any of these you've mentioned would be great.   Do you happen to know if Lansdowne is fenced?

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

yes it is. All the ones I listed are fenced except for Minto and Conroy/Bruce Pit.