Dog Park Horror Stories

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

We've heard a lot of horror stories here about many DK members having frightening experiences at dog parks, mostly about doodles being attacked by out-of-control dogs with irresponsible rude owners, occasionally even a story about someone's child being hurt by a strange dog. I know all of us have been upset and outraged by these incidents.

Recently, however, I read two stories that go far beyond this, to the point of tragedy. First, there was a story about a dog who was actually stabbed and very severely injured by another dog's deranged owner in California:

http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/local/san_francisco&a...

 

The second story is even worse than the stabbing story; in Maryland, a husky named Bear-Bear was shot and killed by another dog's owner, an off-duty officer, with almost no provocation. This is a very very disturbing story, and it bothered me for days after I read it. So, warning: read it at your own risk.

 

http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/features/mutts/blog/2010/08/cop_kil...

 

The Bear-Bear story has gotten a lot of attention in the media and on-line. Here is the website Justice for Bear-Bear , for those who want more information.

 

After reading these stories, along with Camilla's recent post about Darwin being attacked at the dog park and all the other incidents we've seen over the past few months, I am feeling kind of paranoid about taking Jack to any kind of dog park, even though he doesn't engage at all with other dogs and we go off on our own. Apparently, we now have to worry about owners with weapons, ready to attack other people's dogs, in addition to the other dogs themselves.

It's getting too scary out there, folks.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Dramatic but probably right.

[Ali & Sonny D.]

I wrote about being really angry a couple of weeks ago when 3 dogs at a dog park jumped on Sonny agressivly and the owners basically did nothing. I wound up in quite the argument with one of them. Unfortunately I won't go back to the park. There are a bunch of trails and a lake Sonny loves to go in so I may attempt that one more time but I won't go to the dog park section. There are too many irresponsible dog owners out there that bring agrressive dogs. Ugh, gets me annoyed all over again!

[Kyoko]

Horrifying.......

[Denise & Hunter!!!]

I haven't read the articles, I am not sure I can take them - your short description was enough to make my stomach turn. We go to the dog park once in a great while - only when there just a few people or no people there, no mean looking dogs, and no owners that look irresponsible.

There is an issue going on in my community right now and recently I saw the man involved at the dog park. There is a small business owner in my town that has a black lab and keeps the dog with him at his store, very sweet dog. The owner built a house near there and in the few months he has lived there he has shot and killed 4 dogs that have come onto his "property". Two of the dogs belonged to neighbors and were elderly dogs, zero threat. Let me back up and say that the area he moved to is very country like and people problably have min 5 acres each. The dogs were all shot with 10 feet of his property line and his actual house was more than 2 acreas away. He told the police that the dogs had "threatened" him and in Ohio if a dog threatens and you feel in danger you can protect yourself. The community council is all in an uproar about it and very divided some saying it was his "right". You cannot convince me and the majority of the people in the community that he is not somehow calling these dogs to his property for whatever reason (prove a point he has the right?!) - saddistic.

So back to the dog park, there were 2 cars at the dog park so we decided to go in. Low and behold he was at the dog park with his dog! You can shoot 4 dogs and then go to a dog park??!! I was absolutely floored and just shaking from anger over the whole situation. The other person there was a man I see there often, super nice, great dog, etc. Then the store owner/dog shooter came over to say hello - I actually know him from my husband shopping in his store. I said hello and then I thought for a moment and said to the nice guy I see there "I am sorry but I have to leave, I cannot stand here with this other dog owner here, he has recently shot 4 dogs and regardless of the circumstances I do not feel that his actions could have been warranted" - the nice guy said to him "you are that (**)^$^%&(& why don't you get the ^(*&*(%^$* out of here before someone shoots you!" I was FLOORED. He got his dog, never said a word and left. Then Hunter and I had a very pleasant 2 hours with just one other dog and his awesome owner.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I think I would have hugged that man!

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Denise,
I have read a few of the articles concerning the situation in our area with this dog owner. Also, about shooting outside the city limits.... etc.

My question, ( ask DH) is that a threat is not 2 acres--a threat according to Ohio law is 21 FEET or less. I just recently took my Ohio C. C. (concealed carry) in July. ( Yes, frightening but true, I by law can legally carry a deadly weapon on me in almost most places) " A Threat " is 21 feet or less but does that apply to dogs? A threat is a threat.

27 States have this law. I think Maryland is one of them ( I will double check ) but this is why that policeman is not being charged with discharging his gun ( I'm assuming ). The law states he had a right to shoot within 21 feet if his life was threatened if he could not get away. The key here is did he have another alternative to escape. He also has the burden of proof here.

Here is a sick but true possibility. If that owner with the black lab is in that park, and there are no concealed carry signs posted--someone may feel threatened by him and shoot him too. He needs to be careful now. What is seen as a threat must be proven but because of this highly publicized case they may have probable cause and win. Oh my.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Is this so-called civilization? What a world. I may not leave my house never mind going to the dog park!

[Denise & Hunter!!!]

I just asked Rick and yes a dog would be considered a threat. But what this case is falling under is the "castle law" where it gives anyone the right to protect their home or person and shoot someone or something that is on their property and threatens their life (with or without a CCW) . He did have an alternate escape and no one knows if it was within 21 feet though because there were not witness. The burdon of proof is still his and it is not looking good - thank God!

Did you hear the most recent dog? It was a lassa-apso (however you spell that!) mix.

It could be pretty easy to feel threatened by him if you saw him somewhere like the dog park, to me he is mentally unstable and dangerous and if what you said did happen I don't think anyone could defend the person that felt in danger or threatened by him given his recent history. What I don't understand is why it hasn't been more in the media.....

People keep putting signs up in front of his business that he is a dog killer and across the street, freedom of speech! Good for them!

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

It is always a bit stressful at dogparks, as you have to keep such a viligent eye on not only our dog, but the 20-30 others as well. Now, I must admit, I really never gave a thought to owners actually hurting our dogs. That is distressing. However, people in Walmart aren't any safer, so what do you do?
I have to say, this has given me food for thought in regards to my holding doodle romps and feeling responsible for choosing the safety of the location. Our dog park is new and clean and actually has two sections which they alternate closing one each week, for an entire week, to clean and maintain. So only one is open at any one time. I have been going pretty routinely the past few weeks to check out the usual crowd and so far have seen nothing but responsible dog owners. And if an owner does not intervene in a spat quickly enough, other owners nearby will.
I will have to take all of this new information into consideration now as we resume our Doodle Romps in a few weeks.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Here's what bothers me. As hard as it is for us to comprehend, there are people who are sadistic, as Denise said, and actually take pleasure in hurting an animal. I am always aware of where Jack is in relation to me when we cross a street, because I know there are people who would think nothing at all of hitting a dog but would think twice about hitting a human being. I always make sure that he is right next to me, mainly for that reason.
Yes, there could be a crazy person in Walmart who is carrying a knife or gun, but the penalties for stabbing or shooting a human being are very different than those for hurting a dog, as we know all too well. A person faces stiffer consequences for denting your car than they would for killing your dog.
I know it's paranoid, but it seems there are so many angry people out there and a dog makes an easy target for that rage.

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Yes, they are an easy target and I don't think you are being paranoid at all. It is human nature to want to prevent pain, mental or physical. And certainly wanting to prevent Jack from being hurt is being a caring, loving owner, who wants to prevent pain, not paranoid.
Just as if we were to know a situation has potential for danger for anyone else we love, like the other easy target, children, we would avoid it. It does make life harder, because we don't want to live in fear all the time and there are certainly situations where the good outweighs the possible bad.

And penalties aside, in either case the effect is devastating to the victim and family and the sadistic still got their kicks. The jails are full of people who knew the penalties before they committed atrocities to others.
But you are so right, if someone were to deliberatly hurt Murphy and then I attack that person in a crazed rage, I would be arrested for assault and they would probably go free .
I, for one, however, refuse to let the fear rule me and will pay due dilligence in my choices and within any enviorment I and loved ones are in to stay as safe as possible. I live by 2 assumptions, 1: LIFE IS GOOD and 2; the Universe will take care of the good and the bad in it's own time and and in it's own way.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Good assumptions, and I will keep them in mind today. Can the Universe also please help JD out and "take care" of the ragweed? :D