Aggressive dog at the dog park?

Question

This past weekend, another dog attacked my dog - unprovoked - at an off-leash park we visit regularly. I did not call the police because neither dog was injured, and the owners of the dog took her home. However, soon after the incident, I learned that that dog had tried to pick fights with other dogs earlier in the afternoon. People at the park had even asked the other dog's owners to take her home because she was being too aggressive. I also found out that this was not the first day that the other dog had caused trouble at the park. This dog attacks other dogs for no reason. She's aggressive and should not be off-leash in public.
What is the best course of action for park visitors should those people show up again? Do we all have to wait for that dog to injure another dog or a person before we can do anything?
Please advise!

The weird thing about the aggressive dog is that she's pretty small - 40 pounds. (My dog is a 90 pound lab mix -good thing he's pretty easy going!).
That other dog could definitely hurt a small dog or a child, but she could also start something that's way too big for her to handle. And then some other dog owners are going to have to deal with the crisis that ensues when their dog kicks Aggressive's butt.

Ontario Greys: I understand the points you have made, but I just have to respond.
A. We've been going to this park for almost 2 years, and these incidents are quite rare.
B. The park does have rules indicating that aggressive dogs and dogs that are not well-trained are not welcome.
C. My dog is very well socialized. He goes to the park a few times a week and daycare once a week.
D. The incident was not 'typical dog behavior', and your implication that I am ignorant of normal canine behavior is way off the mark - not to mention a little condescending and rude.
E. The aggressive dog literally charged my dog out of nowhere - growling, snarling and barking. Again - not a misinterpreted greeting or typical spat.
F. A truly aggressive dog should not be off-leash in public. period. end of story. The rights of well-trained dogs and responsible owners trump the rights of bullies. It's not fair for one dog to ruin things for the rest of us.

Answer 1

I'm assuming that the park is owned/operated by the City or community.

It all starts with a set of simple rules everyone has to obey - much like a public swimming pool. Bullies and rowdies are ejected from the pool and not allowed to come back - but the rules have to be posted for all to see.

You and the other dog owners should contact your city counsel representative and ask that she/he ask the director of rec/parks to draft a set of rules and have them posted.

This would be a big savings to the city because the city is ultimately responsible for security at the park - to both people and their pets. What a liability! AND it would give the park staff something to use to insist that Ms. Meanie and her humans either stay away, stay on leash, or prove that she's mended her ways through an approved obedience course.

But it starts with a set of rules for everyone to follow.

Answer 2

Next time you go wait and see if that dog and it's owner are there. Don't proceed into the dog park, but if they are there try and get their attention. Tell the owner your concerns. You don't need to lower yourself to their dog's level and be aggressive about it. Say something like "I know it can be embarrassing and difficult when you have a dog that misbehaves and you understand they're probably trying to make it more sociable by attending the park, but it's really not fair to the other dogs and their owners if the dog attacks. If they are not willing to listen/change/ muzzle the dog, say, tell them that you are going to come into the park again but that if their dog DOES show aggression toward yours and does indeed injure your dog that you will be left with no alternative but to seek legal counsel. There is no way that because the dog is enclosed in a doggie park an attack by the dog can be seen as acceptable. The dog park must be owned by someone. That Council or whatever should be advised of the problem. They should post a notice outside of the park advising that any pet found to be disruptive or aggressive will be banned from the park and the owners subject to a fine should an attack occur. One dog should not spoil things for the rest of the dogs/owners. You have every right to take a big stick with you and should you be unfortunate enough to be approached by this hound then you have every right to defend yourself and your dog. Vet bills can run into the thousands very quickly when a dog has suffered an attack by another dog, and it could even be fatal if a major artery was to be punctured. Another course of action would be to have everyone sign a petition and hand it to the person the next time they arrive at the park. The petition should include wording that you will all seek action against the owner if an attack takes place.That should make them realize that you mean business.

Answer 3

That type of attitude is the reason why I do not go to dog parks. Most of the owners there just let there dogs run a muck and don't take aggression seriously or laugh it off. Whether it be a large or small dog, it's still agression. The last time I went to a dog park was 7 years ago, and it ended badly, not with my dog, but with somebody elses dog and the last straw. If people aren't going to be repsponsible or let there dogs act crazy, you might as well not take them to the dog park at all.

Answer 4

are there any posted rules at the dog park? Most dog parks have rules that ussually include something about aggressive dogs. Maybe you can contact the city or animal control and let them know that someone is bringing an aggressive dog to the park.

Encourage others to do the same, if there's enough complaints, something will be done.

The owners are probably wanting her to get some exercize too, but an aggressive dog has no place in the dog park. Another dog will end up injured.

Answer 5

Wow, as expected....Dog Parks are usually BAD NEWS.....
They are like a playground for bad kids. With the leash issue being an off leash park, that makes it worse.
Just think of a bully at the park not being watched by his parents and going up to every kids he sees to try to start a fight. First off, there should be rules for every dog park. Check out the County you live in and they have to abide by rules to even have it open to the public. Also, there should be rules posted at every entry and exit gate. If not they are not following guidlines. Also, you should report the dog and the people, even now. The county they reside in has a law against dogs like this. What happens if the next victim is a small child it bites....will you feel bad you did not report it sooner.
People get lacks and they do not watch their dogs just like they don't watch their kids. I don't recommend dog parks to anyone and you will have more issues than pleasures....plus, there are no rules to what shots are required by these dogs. What if the dog was sick or even had ticks or fleas......guess what will be visiting your home now!!!
Best advise.....find another place to play
Good Luck

Answer 6

Most dog parks have rules on aggressive dogs and that they simply aren't allowed to visit the park if their owners are not able to control the dog to prevent the behavior. I would contact the organization which started the park and runs it to see what the best measure of action is to address this situation. Hopefully, the park creators/supporters will be able to help you in this situation, since it's their park and they probably don't want a bad rep of having ill mannered and aggressive dogs there regularly.

Answer 7

You do not have to wait for damage or injury. You can call animal control the instant they show up and tell them there is a person in the dog park whose dog is threatening to attack the other dogs.

Also, I would call my dog to me and leave, or at least wait outside the fence until Animal Control arrives if I called them.

If the dog park is one that requires registration to enter, call the management and complain. They can revoke their registration and take away their key.

Usually these sort of people do not understand that they are the ones in the wrong, and talking to them doesn't help. Sometimes it does, but you'd be lucky. There is a woman in my neighborhood who used to walk her aggressive dog off-leash through the streets, people's yards, etc. The dog wouldn't listen to her, and anytime it saw ANY person or other dog, it would come charging up barking and growling. Even children playing in their own yard. I yelled at her dog several times to keep it away from us. (That usually works to stop a charging dog if it isn't super-obsessed with killing your dog. Yell something like "Bad owner! You should be on-leash!")
But anyway, this woman, one time I saw her coming from the end of the block, so I stopped and put my dog on a down stay and stood there with my arms crossed. I could hear her from the other end of the block saying, in a really angry voice, "It's always got to be somebody!" Like it was my fault she had her dog off-leash and getting into trouble.

Anyhow I got a video on my digital camera of her dog off-leash in my yard and emailed it to Animal Control after I filed a complaint. They fined her and I haven't seen (or heard) her out since.

Getting the police involved may be the only way to stop them, unfortunately. It's the only thing that gets through some people's thick skulls.

Answer 8

Sounds like my dog's behavior. Cocker spaniel?

Call animal control if you think her dog's behavior goes above and beyond the regular dog park spats that sometimes occur. Or the next time you see this person with her dog behaving this way tell her "if your dog cannot behave properly I don't think she should be here." Owners of aggressive dogs have to be considerate of the safety of other people and their pets. My dog is 40 lbs and he is aggressive towards other dogs, even dogs twice his size. As much as I'd like to take him to a dog park, it's unfair to put another dog or person in danger.

Answer 9

Absolutely you should not have to wait until a dog or person is injured before taking action! This is irresponsible dog ownership at its worst, and I definitely sympathize! Contact your local animal control agency and lodge a complaint, urge others who have been harassed by this dog to do the same (power in numbers!). It would be helpful if you had an address or a name, but if not, you can simply request that they patrol the area. If you have another confrontation, immediately get whatever information you can and phone police. Its people like this that make it so difficult for responsible pet owners to be able to enjoy off-lease recreation! Grrr, it makes me so mad! Good luck.

Answer 10

If you see the dog there again ask them to keep the leash on and get other people who visit the park often to do the same. You can't force them to leave but you can ask. If the park is public and there are no rules about obediance there is not much you can do. Hope no dogs get hurt.