What would you do? (problem dog at dog park)

[DJEtzel]

Originally Posted by Falkosmom

Allow me to play the record again. She has other options that do not involve speaking to the man or going to the police. She can make a complaint at the park office or she can contact animal control (to clarify, these are two options that do not involve the police). I am sure that there are other options available as well.

Originally Posted by martemchik

Earlier post states that she called the park office and they told her to report it to the police. So clearly its the police that have jurisdiction in such a case, which makes sense as AC can't really write you up for having an on leash dog legally at a dog park.

Hmm... need I say more? Those are not options for her. She can either keep her dog away which is simple, or call the police which is simple.

[MustLoveGSDs]

Calling the police isn't scary or complicated. I've reported aggressive dogs in dog parks a few times. All I do is call, describe the dog, owner, and the situation, and hang up. It's anonymous, quick, and painless, and could save a responsible owner a dead dog or expensive vet bills.

[chelle]

Originally Posted by MustLoveGSDs

Calling the police isn't scary or complicated. I've reported aggressive dogs in dog parks a few times. All I do is call, describe the dog, owner, and the situation, and hang up. It's anonymous, quick, and painless, and could save a responsible owner a dead dog or expensive vet bills.

No kidding, okay. I guess I was making the calling of the police into a big deal... that isn't such a big deal.

[KentuckyGSDLover]

Honestly, I'd simply quit using the dog park in this case.

[chelle]

Originally Posted by KentuckyGSDLover

Honestly, I'd simply quit using the dog park in this case.

Nah, I can't see that. As time has gone on, I've seen we need a nice mix of experiences and the dog park is part of that. I'm not going to leave it only because there is one dog that occasionally goes and is a problem. Granted, it is on my mind that there may be a point that we shouldn't go anymore. As in, if Bailey comes too aggressive, etc.... but we're not there yet. He loves dogs so much, that I see it as a reward for him. I've changed my thinking some, though -- and worked away from the park towards more one on one stuff, with the dog park as a reward afterwards.

[Falkosmom]

Originally Posted by chelle

I called the city and said I was having trouble with an offleash pit at the dog park. The city official said I should first talk to the dog park volunteer, if one was there. He said if no volunteer was there, I should call the police non-emergency line!

Chelle stated that she called a city official which told her to speak to a park volunteer or to call the police. Nowhere did she say that the city official stated that animal control has no powers or were not an option. Who was this city official anyhow? Were they merely making a suggestion? In my state, the law says leashed or under control, this dog is leashed but not under control. In my state, you would call animal control for this situation. Perhaps Chelle can call them first and find out for herself. And I can make many more suggestions for her if she might want to persue other options, calling the police is not her last remaining option.

Originally Posted by DJEtzel

Hmm... need I say more? Those are not options for her. She can either keep her dog away which is simple, or call the police which is simple.

No, it so not that simple. You don't simply stop doing the things you love because of some idiot. You don't just simply go belly up and relinquish control of your life to a stranger. You don't stop driving because some drunk driver might be on the road, you don't stop going to the mall because some thug might steal your car or rob you, you don't stop going to a dog park because of an aggressive, uncontrolled dog, law abiding citizens have rights too!

Originally Posted by martemchik

Earlier post states that she called the park office and they told her to report it to the police. So clearly its the police that have jurisdiction in such a case, which makes sense as AC can't really write you up for having an on leash dog legally at a dog park.

Just because the park office told her to call the police does not make it clear at all that they have jurisdiction. IMO, is seems that they were merely making a suggestion. In my state, AC can and will write you up for having a dog out of control and endangering others regardless of whether it is leashed or not. If this happened in the dog park where I used to go, AC would be called. AC regularly patrols the park for dog offenders, and the police would be called only for human offenses, unless a dog seriously injured a human.

[codmaster]

Originally Posted by chelle

Yes, it is the law pits have to be leashed...........

Does the law say that only pit bulls have to be leashed? If so, that seems like a really stupid law (but still one to be obeyed if so).

[DJEtzel]

Originally Posted by Falkosmom

No, it so not that simple. You don't simply stop doing the things you love because of some idiot. You don't just simply go belly up and relinquish control of your life to a stranger. You don't stop driving because some drunk driver might be on the road, you don't stop going to the mall because some thug might steal your car or rob you, you don't stop going to a dog park because of an aggressive, uncontrolled dog, law abiding citizens have rights too!

Yes it is. In any situation, you can either 1. Do something about it (OP Said she won't, doesn't want to make a big deal) OR 2. Get over it.

So, what are her other options? You're comparing apples to oranges. I didn't tell her to stop. I said avoid the dog, keep your dog away. SIMPLE, call your dog away from that one... no dog should be there without a solid recall anyway. Just get over the dog being there, if you're not going to do something to stop it.

[arycrest]

Originally Posted by chelle

...
I called the city and said I was having trouble with an offleash pit at the dog park. (And incidentally, this owner had two dogs in the park. His second was a little itty bitty black curly haired dog, quite friendly, but totally abandoned by the owner -- as in way across the park, totally out of sight of the owner.)

The city official said I should first talk to the dog park volunteer, if one was there. He said if no volunteer was there, I should call the police non-emergency line! I was floored by that suggestion! Call the cops over this? Really? Would you? Or just continue to not go to the park when that dog is there, now that I know what the owner drives? But what if he drives something different some day? What if he comes in *after* me?

What would YOU do?

IMHO you should go up the chain-of-command about getting help in the park ... explain that you don't feel you should have to call the police about something like a person breaking a rule at a dog park!

[PatternDayTrader]

Originally Posted by chelle

Bailey is a frikkin social butterfly dog. He came to within two feet of the other dog (I'm very close behind), and the pit instantly chased him down - maybe 8 feet, growling, snarling and Bails instantly submitted. The pit then turned around and went back to his owner.

You know its entirely possible that these two are only establishing the pecking order and the humans are actually over reacting. Are you upset that hes making "Bails" submit ? or are you worried about a full on attack ? I guess either way, I would have an action plan in my mind about how I am going to break up a fight in case it happens, and then I would let the dogs work it out.
I would also change my attitude towards the situation, the other dog, and its owner. You seem to be a bit intimidated and aprehensive about it. Try to relax, and act as if your confident you can handle anything that happens. I cant speak for others, but when I go to the dog park, as far as Im concerned, the entire park is mine, and everyone else is just visiting. For better or worse, I actually believe that.
Fear and weakness invite hostility and agression, in both dogs and humans.