Dang Dog

[SS MAYFLOAT]

I was doing my regular routine Friday evening. Got to the docks before 4 pm to get a good parking spot. Only 3 other vehilces were there at the next dock over. I didn't pay attention to the dogs that they had with them.

I unloaded my stuff onto my hand truck and headed for my slip. After putting everything away, I then went to return my hand truck to my van. I got about 15' from my van when I see out the right side of my vision, a young german shepard with its hair and lips raised. The owner is about 10 car widths away from where I'm parked. He calls for the dog, but the dog keeps coming at me. As I got about 5' from my van, the dog is now about 10' from me. So, I picked up the hand truck, put it over my head and took a few steps at the dog. The dog stopped in its tracks, tucked its tail, and ran back to its owner. I couldn't help but getting upset over this.

I said loud enough for him to hear me that he should keep them on a leash. He said something back, but with my bad hearing I didn't understand what he said. To prevent anything from getting ugly, I went back to my boat in its slip.

My problem is there is other people who have ankle biters that follow their owners. I don't mind them, but it is the ones who have shepards, rots, and dobies run loose. I mentioned to an employee of the marina about the incident. She said she thinks that those were dogs that deputies of the sheriffs dept was training. These guys where just in T shirts and shorts.

I haven't formally made a complaint and not sure if I want to. The community around the docks is a typical one. Those that complain a lot usually are left alone. However, being closely mauled by a dog is a legit compaint I would think. If only people would obey simple rules, stuff like this wouldn't be........SS

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Dang Dog

Theres nothing worse than an aggresive dog........except its owner !!!!!
I was in a similar predicament about 2 years ago while wearing my steel toe work shoes. The owner and friends thought it was hilarious till I nailed it with a steel toe in the rib cage as it came at me. It soon backed off and the owner threatened to sue me !!!! I asked him if he would like to try my shoe out for himself before leaving.
Last I heard of it. Dog owners like that have big dogs and small ba**s

 

[thefairlaneman]

Re: Dang Dog

Most places have rules pertaining to animals. Dogs most of the time aggressive or not have to be kept on a leash. Without getting too upset I would document a complaint with the dock owners if private or the city if it is a city controled dock and let it go at this point.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Dang Dog

The rules dont mean anything if your child is mauled by one of them although they are in place for a reason. The unfortunate part is that when the authorities enforce the rules it is usually after an unfortunate incident.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Dang Dog

Holy Cow! You sure get more than your fair share of crap tossed your way. I would complain about the dogs verbal and in writing and keep a copy.

On the other hand.....

How would you feel if you swung that hand cart and hit the dog in the mouth breaking his teeth and causing extensive oral surgery and bridgework/repairs?

Sorry, couldn't resist.

 

[JCF350]

Re: Dang Dog

If you checked, most county ordinances classify this as an attack.
I call every time even if it's an ankle biter.
People need to learn to control their pets.

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Dang Dog

Holy Cow! You sure get more than your fair share of crap tossed your way. I would complain about the dogs verbal and in writing and keep a copy.

On the other hand.....

How would you feel if you swung that hand cart and hit the dog in the mouth breaking his teeth and causing extensive oral surgery and bridgework/repairs?

Sorry, couldn't resist.

Cute Mark,,, or is that remark?

If that dog didn't turn tail, he would have had that hand truck smashed over his head. The park does have a leash law, but it doesn't seem to be enforced. Booze is prohibited too, but people at the dock carry it to their boats right out in the open,,,,,,,even with the park ranger watching. Like I mentioned earlier,,,,complaining can get a hornets nest buzzing. Things just seem to get too lax at times often with some strict consequiences.

The park is controlled by the Muskingum Watershed District of the Corp of Civil Engineers. Part of the flood control program.

 

[puddle jumper]

Re: Dang Dog

Mark cant blame you for being upset. Ive been cornered before and its not fun.
The other day my wife was walking our 10 pound dog and three large dogs ran up to them. My wife just came out swinging , the lager dogs got the crap beat out of them. The owned had nothing to say but sorry. In the mean time my wife just gave the owner crap.
Id make a point of the dogs to whoever just to get your point across.

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: Dang Dog

If that dog did not immediately respond to the owner/handler's command, I'll all but guarantee you it wasn't a trained police dog. I have worked with police canine units and have seen the level of obdience involved - trust me when I tell you the dogs just don't go off on their own, snarling at people.

 

[Benny1963]

Re: Dang Dog

i have agressive dogs that i get temp wize from the save the pitbull foundation,
these dogs were raised agressive it takes alot of time to bring one
back, i have two i have kept and they are very sweet dogs love kids and people but there nature is to fight any large dog that it feels is going to try to hurt it , but on the other hand having these dogs means they are chained
or kenneled and when i do take them boating a leash and perfect control is needed ,the people with the dogs that are agressive .dont understand
the danger they can pose ,until it decides to bite them
out of 15 dogs that i have sheltered i have only had one that would go stupid around people .this guy is obviously training his dog to be aggressive towards humans wether he knows it or not ,
thats unresposible on the owners behalf knowing the dog was aggressive towards people .
Bennyb

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Dang Dog

I think that some owners don't realize the liability related to a dog attack. I went ahead and emailed the park office last night. I also let them know that this problem has been overlooked for a number of years.

Next time it might be a small kid. Where we park is the main walkway from one side of the campground to the beach. Where he was letting his dogs swim and run loose was in this area. People go to the park to relax and have fun. Its not a place where you need to worry about anything including dogs that run loose. These ones that do run loose, I've never seen the owners go pick up their droppings. I'm sure people don't like the idea of stepping in the crap. Its bad enough watching out for Goose crap.

I'm still not sure what caused the dog to turn tail. Maybe it was making myself look bigger with the hand truck over my head? or I took on an aggresive roll towards the dog. Don't know for sure, but it worked. My first thought was, "Don't show this dog I'm scared of it". The dog wasn't fully grown yet, probably about 50 to 60 pounds.

My wife said she would have wondered what would have happened if I had my dog with me. He is about 180 lbs and won't let any other dog around us. That is the main reason he is leashed when outside. He is protective, but not aggresive.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Dang Dog

it is your responsiblity, to file a complaint about unleased dogs. what if today it gets a 6 year old in the face. being a responsible dog owner this really tics me off.

 

[MikDee]

Re: Dang Dog

I agree SS, dogs should be on a leash in area's or situation's like this, especially large aggressive dogs, I've seen too many times when the owner will say something stupid like: "He doesn't bite", or "He's only playing", or "He hasn't bitten anyone, yet?" Well Fine for the owner, or master, but I'm a stranger to him, and I don't want to be the first! Nobody should be put in this dangerous compromised situation. On occasion, I've seen this turn bad. I've been at the lake, on a narrow strip by the beach, and had a big dog bump into me trying to get by, or clumsily when playing fetch with it's owner, I certainly wouldn't want that to happen to my grandkids, or any kids, it is uncalled for, & rude by the owner. I applaud you making a complaint about this, I would. Just so you know, I like dogs too, and not little ankle biters either, they're just annoying. Cats, I can take or leave.

 

[arboldt]

Re: Dang Dog

Even if the dog doesn't bite, there are people (like me) that are highly allergic. My wife would love to have a dog, but we don't because we prefer that I continue breathing.

I do really enjoy dockside and beaches. As long as I can keep at least a couple feet away, I'm ok. I don't feel I should have to stay away from parks etc just because some people can't stand to spend a couple hours away from their pets.

 

[angus63]

Re: Dang Dog

I agree SS, dogs should be on a leash in area's or situation's like this, especially large aggressive dogs, I've seen too many times when the owner will say something stupid like: "He doesn't bite", or "He's only playing", or "He hasn't bitten anyone, yet?" Well Fine for the owner, or master, but I'm a stranger to him, and I don't want to be the first! Nobody should be put in this dangerous compromised situation. On occasion, I've seen this turn bad. I've been at the lake, on a narrow strip by the beach, and had a big dog bump into me trying to get by, or clumsily when playing fetch with it's owner, I certainly wouldn't want that to happen to my grandkids, or any kids, it is uncalled for, & rude by the owner. I applaud you making a complaint about this, I would. Just so you know, I like dogs too, and not little ankle biters either, they're just annoying. Cats, I can take or leave.

Couldn't agree more. What's the difference if I walked around with a loaded weapon and said "Don't worry, hasnt gone off accidentally yet" "Relax, it's harmless next to your childs stroller" etc.... I have a careless neighbor with pitbulls, chased wife while I'm at work, cops can't do anything until an incident occurs, I have kids, told neighbor I'm not waiting for an incident. Maintain control of your aggressive pets or teach them to run 800ft/sec, your call. So far so good.

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: Dang Dog

Maintain control of your aggressive pets or teach them to run 800ft/sec, your call. So far so good.

I'm not really a gun guy, but a former roomie and I had the same discussion with our neighbor after his dogs killed a bunch of her ducks, and darn near killed a kid that we used to let fish in a pond on the property.

 

[angus63]

Re: Dang Dog

Just being proactive. If my children were a victim of their dog, I'm afraid what my reactive response would be.

 

[dave11]

Re: Dang Dog

I have read too many articles about people being mauled or killed by "Friendly, obedient " dogs. After the fact these dogs are now sweethearts. Their owners refuse to accep any responsibility for their dogs' actions. I have two medium sized dogs. At the launch ramp they are always on leashes. Because of my life experiences, if I am ever threatened by a dog like that, it had better be able to run 800 ft/sec. I don't heal as quickly as I used to, and I would like to go into retirement without injuries from a vicious uncontrolled animal, two or four legged.

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Dang Dog

I finally got an email back from the superintendant from the park. He wants me to let them know immediately if it happens again. I'm trying to cypher out which part "again" means. When I'm threatened with an attack or see the dogs running loose? I'm hope it means when I see them loose. I've got my video camera at the boat now so that I can get them on tape to show the rangers.

We had a substantial amount of rain that fell yesterday. I decided to go check on my boat to make sure that the bilge was working properly. When I got there, the two trucks that was there with the dogs was there. I didn't see the guys until I was leaving the boat. Wouldn't you know it,,,,,,,one of them flipped me off! Geeeesh, I didn't ask to have their dog make an aggressive move towards me. Maybe I'll have to video tape him walking to his boat with his 12 packs of beer in his arm. However, all I want is for them to keep their dogs on a leash. If they had followed park rules, I wouldn't be talking about this. I just hate repercussions of an incident like this........SS