On Wednesday evening at Jack Darling off leash park, my 10lb Boston / Chihuahua was very badly injured in an unprovoked attack by a pitbull. I rushed her straight to Clarkson Animal Hospital and she was immediately treated for shock and underwent emergency surgery. She is home now, extensively shaved, stitched up, surgical drains in place, on 4 different medications due to the external and internal injuries. Our vet said that the size and power differential between a 10lb dog and a pit bull is such that it would be the equivalent of an adult being attacked by a 2000lb tiger. Imagine if a child was at the park and inadvertently was injured in such a fight!
People have approached me saying that Tika the pit bull in question has attacked other dogs. Someone emailed me and said I can share his name and info if necessary. His husky was attacked THREE times by this same dog and the last time, as he was checking his dog's body for puncture wounds after her attack, she escaped from her owner, bounded at him and his dog and when she went to bite the dog, sunk her teeth into his hand.
The person who was with the pit bull on the night of the incident (the owner's best friend) in emails to me has talked about the dog's checkered past. They are willing to pay the vet bills (over $2,000 so far) but I have a huge concern about the risk to dogs and to children and even to adults. I have no interest in suing them (as long as my vet bills are paid), but I feel that this dog is a potential risk to people in the community. However, it seems there is NO legal route to address this serious issue, except suing for financial compensation
My dog was ripped up. Imagine if a child had accidentally gotten in the way? Another person wrote to me last night. In the melee, he was the one who had to "pry Tikka's jaws open" as she tried to (and almost succeeded) kill Zoe.
The owner of the husky who was bitten in the 3rd attack documented that Tikka's owner had pulled Tikka away and then, as he was checking his dog, Tikka broke free from being held on leash, ran at them and as she leapt / lunged to get the husky, bit the husky owner in the process of trying to finish off the attack she had previously started on his dog. So, this could have happened in or outside a park. Leash or no leash doesn't necessarily make a difference to this pit bull.
I'd phoned 311 Thursday morning & left message for the Bite Investigator....heard nothing as yet
Went to police..... They don't deal with dog attacks
Went to Animal Control..... They have no jurisdiction as it was in an off leash park. They can speak to the dog's owner and strongly advise her to leash / muzzle the dog, but their words have (pardon the pun) zero bite.
I asked "but if a dog has attacked other dogs multiple times and a human has been bitten in the park, isn't it reasonable to imagine, it may also be unsafe outside the park?" His answer "the off leash parks have signs up saying USE AT YOUR OWN RISK" and said I could sue her. I said I'm not interested in suing. I'm interested in the health and safety of children and dogs in the community. No response, as there's NOTHING he can do.
It is mind boggling to me that our community off leash park has a loop hole where by a dog can be rampantly vicious and there is NOTHING we can do. No recourse. Never mind the THOUSANDS of dollars involved, but there is a community health & safety issue! This took place in your park but could have easily taken place, say, in the parking lot. Or down by the lake.
What has to happen? A dog has to be actually killed? Or, God forbid, a child's face ends up mauled off before this loop hole is addressed?
I have contacted my MPP and am would appreciate knowing what action you think would be appropriate. Not just in this individual case, but as a policy and procedure for the park, generally.
Thank you for your time. read more