Posted on 04/08/2006 1:04:33 PM PDT by iPod Shuffle
Chihuahua pup killed by another dog at no-leash park
By MATT CAMPBELL
The Kansas City Star
The no-leash dog park within Penn Valley Park, open two years, has registered its first fatality.
A 4-month-old Chihuahua was killed by another dog Friday morning, prompting heightened calls for a separate park for smaller dogs.
“I was standing two feet away from him, and this dog just picked him up and crushed him,” Tara Blomberg of Kansas City, Kan., said tearfully of Gizmo, her Chihuahua puppy. She said she had taken the dog to the park several times before without any trouble.
Amy Bentz, owner of the K-9 Club and a frequenter of the dog park, said several dog owners had gathered as usual about 11 a.m. to socialize while their pets romped.
“Next thing I knew there was screaming and everybody rushed in, and three men were trying to pry the dog’s jaws open,” Bentz said. “I ran for water to throw on the dog, and by the time I got back (one man) was holding the Chihuahua in his hand and its head was lolling to the side.”
The pup was taken to an animal hospital but died.
The attacking dog was described as a Brittany or a golden retriever mix. The dog’s owner could not be reached.
Bentz said she had applied to the city for money to create a separate no-leash area for small dogs adjacent to the existing one.
Parks and Recreation District Manager Mark Bowland said the city would like to create a separate park but had not determined the cost or identified a source of money. In the meantime, he said, a temporary orange barrier would be erected within a week to separate large and small dogs.
Bowland said that people should not take temperamental or aggressive animals to the no-leash park.
“If we know and find out who such an owner is, we will make it known that is not a place for that dog to be, now or in the future,” he said.
Not at all. At our leash-free dog park, the owners are expected to remain with their pets. There is plenty of socializing with other dog owners. I hope the individual who left their aggressive dog unsupervised will be prosecuted.
"Dog parks" are a stupid idea. Trouble waiting to happen. Separating sizes isn't going to take away the risk.
From the site:
"While some breeds are predisposed to fight more than others, every breed has it's own bullies. There are too many people out there that don't come close to the label of being a “responsible pet owner.” With the number of fighting breeds growing, the risks of taking your pet to one of these parks is not worth taking. Owners need to realize that once a puppy or adult has been attacked, it will become a dog aggressive animal itself. This only has to happen one time for a permanent temperament change to occur in some animals. Dog aggression is a real pain in the ass."
GMTA
Please don't change to bigger dogs. One that acted like your chihuahua would be dangerous.
Little dogs are scared of their own shadow, hence they bite. Sometimes they start something they can't finish. Then their owner will blame the other dogs for ending the fight their little one started.
Decades ago I worked a summer delivering appliances. We would'nt even go in the door untill all little dogs where locked up. Big dogs did'nt bother us although the big dog owners would sometimes put theirs up. I can't count the number of people who told us we did'nt have to worry about their little precious. We would just lie and tell them it was to protect the little nipper (we were hauling around refrigerators and such).
As you say I expect it was a reflection of the owners personallity. They were often older ladies who were obviously a little nervous.
Perhaps the protective nature of the owners prevented the chihuahua from being socialized with other dogs. The owner likely ignored the rules as (s)he felt her little dog could'nt hurt anyone.
I'm sticking to my opinion regarding chihuahuas, they are the worst breed of dog. But then again I really like mutts.
We have a chihuahua mix - an unbelievably affectionate little animal. Not friendly to strangers, though.
When she'd done everything to get away from the kids, and the kids kept chasing her, and chasing her, and chasing her till she had nowhere to go, then yes her last resort was to 'nip' (not really a bite as she only had 3 teeth left). What do you do when you are backed into a corner? Nice paintbrush you use to condemn all small dogs because of your bad experiences.
This is interesting. I just read another article about this and they said the dog was either a brittany spaniel or a golden retriever mix. I just wonder how you could mistake one for the other. Hmm...
That wasn't very nice.
Oh I should clarify, I meant the dog that did the attacking, not the one being attacked. Doh!
No, and neither was his accusation.
If he truly believes it then I'll stand by my comment.
Actually - some people do think Chihuahuas are dangerous.
There are people who think all pure breeds are dangerous.
Obviously - you disagree. Still no reason to call someone dumb as a stump.
I only repeated a statement used many many times by the Pit Bull nutters.
This case was an unfortunate occurrence... That little dog is too small to be put in that situation.
That is not what he posted.
There are people who think all pure breeds are dangerous.
Again not what he posted.
Obviously - you disagree.
I don't disagree with your statements. I disagree with his statement...
"Some believe Chihuhuas to be as dangerous as Pit Bulls."
If you were familiar with his posting history you would see that his post was an off-topic attempt to smear and distort the views of posters who do not agree with his breed banning agenda.
He was baiting and I called him on it.
I'll not apologize for it.
Liar
Ok
I know what you mean. I have a small terrier (bigger than a yorkie, though) and we have an eagle migration through the area. I won't let my doggie go with us to view the birds, although I don't have a worry about my goldens, though.
Careful Kanawa, I'd had to see you get banned faster than a Denver Pit Bull.
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