Concern for my dog's friendly ways

[MattC]

Hi Folks,
My cardi is about a year and a half. He is a great dog. He is very popular in the neighborhood with humans and dogs alike. If he sees a "friend" or someone he recognizes it usually desn't take him long to start heading over to say hello. He is also quick to welcome new dogs to his street. Which has me a little worried. Last weekend I took my boy to the park to play. I live near Prospect Park which is the "Central Park" Brooklyn NY where dogs are allowed off leash between the hours of 7:00 AM and 9:00 AM.

He loves it there. There are plenty of dogs to play with, there's a small pond where he can swim in and more importantly plenty of grass for him to run on. Unfortunatly there is an occasional altercation with a dog or two during the off leash hours. This past weekend a small dog got really chewed up by a bigger one. My concern is that Nick tends to be very friendly and while he is off leash he may say hello to the wrong dog. I don't want to take him there anymore. But he does love it. Am I overreacting?

[MyPemCharlie]

The altercations probably occur with just a small percent of "identifiable" dogs, right? Some people (idiots) don't socialize their dogs, then take them to an off-leash park where their dog starts fights. If you can identify the trouble-makers, then just keep your dog on a leash when those particular dogs are present.

No need to keep him from having fun when 98% of the dogs are well-socialized and should make good playmates.

People who have dogs which have bitten/attacked other dogs should be asked to leave the park and not come back until they and their dog can act better.

I can't wait for Charlie to be old enough to have all his immunizations and neutered. We're already signed-up for email announcements for "doggie-meetups" at area off-leash parks.

[pat_m]

I agree with MyPemCharlie...

We take Byron to a beach where a few of times I've seen a couple of dogs mix it up pretty good.

I just keep an eye on him especially if the dog he is approaching seems a little hyper.

[MattC]

Thanks
It was a little jarring to see a dog get so torn up like that. A group of people approached the owner of the dog that attacked. The Owner quickly copped an attitude and refused to leave. At that time Nick was quickly leashed and we shuffled off to the other end of the park. It is a shame because it only takes one irresponsible owner and the rest of us can lose the priviledge to use the park. New York City for the most part is a dog friendly town however there is very little tolerance for animals and their owners acting poorly.

[MyPemCharlie]

If the owner of the "attacking" dog refused to leave the park after having his dog injure another dog, there should be some recourse. Usually peer pressure from the majority of good pet owners requesting someone to leave is enough.

Are there any park rules posted? A lot of parks have a "park police" phone number which you might find posted at the park or find online at the City of New York website. If some jerk is letting his dog "beat up" on other dogs and not leaving when asked, I'd have my cell phone and call the park security every single time I saw the guy to report his presence. There's got to be something to do. You're right...one unpolite person with an untrained dog should not be allowed to spoil everyone else's time.

[MattC]

The park rules are actually pretty strict. For example the fine for not picking up dog poop can be as high as $1000.00. In fact it is cheaper for me to deficate in the park than Nick.

I think the "dogs of leash policy" in this park is a sort of experimental thing so folks are a little gun shy about reporting idiots. I have a friend who works for the New York City Parks Department and I will look into it further.

[MyPemCharlie]

LOL about your poop being cheaper than your dog's! The fine here for dog poop on city -private or public- property is only $500.00. I'm happy to be a city voted 2nd most dog-friendly. We have a leash law everywhere except for 12 recognized, large off-leash dog parks.

Just out of curiousity, do you know if the guy is paying for the veterinarian bills of the injured dog? Should be automatic, but sounds like the guy's a loser.

[MattC]

I don't know for sure but I can guarantee he is not. I spoke to a neighbor of mine who knows the owner of the injured dog yesterday. Apparently the dog isn't doing to well. She suffered an injury to her eye and she may lose her sight in the one eye. Plus she is still in trauma over the attack.

[MyPemCharlie]

That's a shame. Poor pup...I wish her a speedy recovery. And as for the guy who isn't taking responsibility for his dog's actions, I hope someone bites him (the human - not his dog) someday and doesn't pay. Sorry. That was mean...

[emma]

I used to take Oliver a few times a week to the dog park for the same reason. He loved it! He gets along with other dogs and it was so much fun to see him romp and play. But then we just ran into too many poorly behaved dogs (and humans!) One time, there was this horrible, bully dog that started to attack Oliver and then it quickly turned into a pack thing and other dogs joined in. Scary! The owner refused to leave, saying he was playing. One by one, everyone else in the park left until she got the hint.

So then I decided to drive a distance to this really nice family type park. Luckily, I kept my eye glued to Oliver, because a serious fight between several pit bulls broke out and then the humans were about to fight! Not good...

Now, I just have play dates at friends houses now. That way I know the dogs and the people.

[Michael Romanos]

Met an 18 month old Pem named Oliver at the NZ national dog show - a cousin of my Taylor and a look-alike, and another with a beautiful nature.