Dog park tragedy

[High5]

CambridgeTimes Article: Dog park tragedy


This happened at a dog park near us last week. I’ve been there in the morning a few times before work and the dog owners are pretty responsible with their dogs. The 5pm and after crowd is a totally different story all they do is sit at a picnic table drinking their coffee, reading their newspaper, relaxing and winding down from a day at work, while their dog burns off all its energy from being cooped up all day. They have absolutely no control over their dogs.
Its interesting reading peoples comments on the story; to me everybody involved was in the wrong. If I had a small dog I would never allow it to run with the big “unknown” dogs, not because of the dog but because of the owner failing at their responsibility to train their dogs, at the very least make sure the recall is 100 percent even under distraction.
I feel so bad for the Chihuahua but at the same time glad it wasn’t a German Shepherd involved.

[Hillary_Plog]

That is so sad, but is just another reason why I don't go to them and why I don't recommend them for my obedience clients.

Thanks for sharing that story...it's a good reminder for the people that do choose go to them to remember to be cautious and responsible.

[Mac's Mom]

That is really sad. Before yesterday I would have said that an owner should know if its dog is dog aggressive and therefore should stay clear of Dog Parks. But after seeing a dog fight, I feel like a person can never be sure.

[shannonrae]

Dogs are animals, first and foremost. By thinking otherwise, one is doing their dog a great injustice. I never 100% trust even my own dogs. The poor Chihuahua . . .

[High5]

Originally Posted by Mac's Mom

That is really sad. Before yesterday I would have said that an owner should know if its dog is dog aggressive and therefore should stay clear of Dog Parks. But after seeing a dog fight, I feel like a person can never be sure.

I agree with you 100 percent, and who knows the news tends to play things up and twist things around. For all we know maybe the little dog was latched onto the Husky's lip.

[Jax's Mom]

I also feel everyone was wrong. It would never even occur to me to take a <10lb helpless creature into an enclosure full of animals I didn't know.
I don't even know how owners of small dogs can even walk so freely on sidewalks without their dog on a leash.
Normally all I have to worry about is controlling my dog, at least he can probably defend himself in most situations but these tiny dogs are defenseless.

[CarrieJ]

How awful and preventable.

I've never understood people who bring small dogs into the big dog side. Especially, when the park has separate sides.
I'm guilty of it the few times that I've had both girls with me, but I watch Zoey like a hawk. 90% I make two trips, or don't go at all.
It doesn't matter that she lives with a big dog. All it takes is a large dog who isn't good with small dogs. Most greyhounds and huskies are not.

What a sad story.

[Mac's Mom]

Originally Posted by CarrieJ

How awful and preventable.

I've never understood people who bring small dogs into the big dog side. Especially, when the park has separate sides.
I'm guilty of it the few times that I've had both girls with me, but I watch Zoey like a hawk. 90% I make two trips, or don't go at all.
It doesn't matter that she lives with a big dog. All it takes is a large dog who isn't good with small dogs. Most greyhounds and huskies are not.

What a sad story.

I totally agree. People are always bringing tiny dogs into the large breed section at my dog park. I don't get it.

[suzzyq01]

I do feel sorry for the owners of the dog and that the dog was killed.

HOWEVER,
The chihuahua looked to have been about 5lbs maybe 10lbs. very small dog. First of all I don't think it was very smart for the owners to bring such a small dog into a dog park that is not sanctioned for "small dogs" or "big dogs" but just a dog park for any size dog. Secondly, I own a Siberian Husky, they are HIGH PREY DRIVE dogs and they play much rougher than other breeds. I am only defending the breed, not this particular dog. This husky could have been vicious, it is doubtful though. Siberian huskies are not typically dog/people aggressive.
He most likely ran to the fence and was "in play mode" which was too rough, far too rough for this particular tiny dog, or the husky had never seen a small dog like this before and associated it with prey like rabbits, squirrels, etc. and did only what nature was telling him to do.


I am saying that you hear more about small dogs in "big dog areas" of the dog parks getting hurt or killed by a larger dog. It is very important that two separate areas be available so issues like this do not occur. There was another story about 2 years ago of a Chihuahua being trampled to death in the large dog area of a dog park when there was a small dog area to use, but the lady thought it was ok because her dog was really good with big dogs.

If you want a small dog, that's exactly what it is a small dog. It can not do all the same things a big dog can do and it is your job as it's owner to protect it because it cannot protect itself.

Just another notch in the Siberian Husky belt as the #4 most dangerous dog.

[Kris10]

Originally Posted by suzzyq01

I do feel sorry for the owners of the dog and that the dog was killed.

HOWEVER,
The chihuahua looked to have been about 5lbs maybe 10lbs. very small dog. First of all I don't think it was very smart for the owners to bring such a small dog into a dog park that is not sanctioned for "small dogs" or "big dogs" but just a dog park for any size dog. Secondly, I own a Siberian Husky, they are HIGH PREY DRIVE dogs and they play much rougher than other breeds. I am only defending the breed, not this particular dog. This husky could have been vicious, it is doubtful though. Siberian huskies are not typically dog/people aggressive.
He most likely ran to the fence and was "in play mode" which was too rough, far too rough for this particular tiny dog, or the husky had never seen a small dog like this before and associated it with prey like rabbits, squirrels, etc. and did only what nature was telling him to do.


I am saying that you hear more about small dogs in "big dog areas" of the dog parks getting hurt or killed by a larger dog. It is very important that two separate areas be available so issues like this do not occur. There was another story about 2 years ago of a Chihuahua being trampled to death in the large dog area of a dog park when there was a small dog area to use, but the lady thought it was ok because her dog was really good with big dogs.

If you want a small dog, that's exactly what it is a small dog. It can not do all the same things a big dog can do and it is your job as it's owner to protect it because it cannot protect itself.

Just another notch in the Siberian Husky belt as the #4 most dangerous dog.