So sad to hear this. You must still be in shock. RIP little one. 
SOB
SOB
It is. However, the small dog area is so small that no one ever uses it.The dog park isn't split into big and small dog sides?
The owner was a mess. Everyone was super worried about the Chihuahua but all I wanted to do was hug the owner as she stood there bawling her eyes out. It was a sad sight to see. I wouldn't wish that on anyone.Awwwe .... RIP little one. What a horrified owner of that little guy must have been ... and still is ... I am so sorry for them all...
I agree. And it's sad because there is great potential there for dog parks to be a TERRIFIC thing for dogs. But the stupid, irresponsible owners ruin it every time.This makes me happy we have no dog parks around here ... it is becoming all too scary about these terrible happenings.
Didn't we just have a thread about this, and one of the posters here was upset about another dog getting rough with her small dog, and when I suggested she use the small dog side, her response was that she didn't want to because there aren't many dogs that use it. I still think it's irresponsible to own a small dog and NOT use the small dog side. I blame the Chih owner in this case equally, not the Husky owner 100%. If the Husky was being aggressive to big dogs, they should have left. But small dogs do NOT belong on a big dog side. They can trigger prey drive in even the nicest dog. And teh little dog will always lose.It is. However, the small dog area is so small that no one ever uses it.
I understand (technically) that if the Chihuahua had of been in the small dog area this wouldn't have happened TO HIM. But I believe it still would have happened, just to a different dog. This particular Husky was aggressive towards ALL dogs, not just the small ones.
Didn't we just have a thread about this, and one of the posters here was upset about another dog getting rough with her small dog, and when I suggested she use the small dog side, her response was that she didn't want to because there aren't many dogs that use it. I still think it's irresponsible to own a small dog and NOT use the small dog side. I blame the Chih owner in this case, not the Husky owner 100%. If the Husky was being aggressive to big dogs, they should have left. But small dogs do NOT belong on a big dog side. They can trigger prey drive in even the nicest dog. And teh little dog will always lose.
At that point, I would have just packed up my dog and gone home - it's not worth the risk.Yesterday at my local dog park, there was a Husky that was picking on/snapping at every dog in the park. The owner was told many times and asked to control her dog/get him out of there, but she just kept saying he was fine and was just playing.
I understand what you were getting at. What I am saying though is that there was SEVERAL steps that ANY person could have taken to avoid it. Yes - as I said the owner of the Husky shouldn't have had her dog there but with other people KNOWING that this dog is not playing nicely with ANY dog of ANY size - is reason enough to remove your own dog for THEIR safety. Do you see what I mean? Yes the other dog shouldn't be there, but it was. The owner wasn't doing anything about it so the OTHER owners should have done something for their dogs regardless of it being "right" for them or not. I'm not making an excuse for an aggressive dog being there - but if there IS one there you can't hold the other owner (who is obviously doing nothing) to the same standards that you hold yourself and go "well, hopefully nothing will happen." you know?Niraya, I completely understand prey drive. And I DID say that it wasn't the Husky's fault. But I think I need to point out again that this Husky wasn't just going after the small dogs. He was going after EVERY dog. Small, big and bigger than him. And not in a playful manner either.
I understand what spotted nikes is saying. YES, it is our choice to bring our smaller dogs into the all-dog area (it is not called big dog area here. It is meant for all WELL BEHAVED dogs of all sizes). And because of that choice, we need to be prepared that ANYTHING can happen. BUT! That doesn't excuse someone allowing their dog aggressive dog (no matter the breed or size) to remain in the park with other dogs.
And the Chihuahua's owner had no way of knowing this was going to happen. The Husky was off on the other side of the park then all of a sudden just came out of nowhere and grabbed her dog. There was no time to do anything.
No matter how well big dogs play with little dogs most of the time, prey drive can kick in at any time. It can be caused by a high pitch squeal of a small dog, a small dog running, two larger dogs fighting and another gets excited, etc. If you care about your dog, you will not put a small dog on a big dog side. It is dangerous for the small dog, because if something happens the small dog will ALWAYS lose. It's bad for the big dog because you may end up with an otherwise nice dog that ends up euthed because it is now considered dangerous, when in fact, if the small dogs were on their side, it wouldn't have been.Yes, that thread was mine actually. It's not that hardly anyone uses the small dog section, NO ONE uses it. It's way too small. Actually, I'd say it's such a small area that it wouldn't be safe to have more than a couple dogs in there at once without them getting irritated with eachother.
And I'm sorry, but I don't blame the Chihuahua's owner AT ALL! This was not her fault in any way. That Husky should not have been there in the first place. And I would say the exact same thing if it had of been a little dog attacking a big dog, a little dog attacking another little dog or a big dog attacking another big dog. If you know your dog is aggressive (and believe me, this owner knew), then don't bring him to the park.
Also, I've said this before, and I'm going to say it again. I think it is a WONDERFUL (and smart) idea to condition and socialize your dog with other dogs of ALL sizes. I DO NOT want my dog scared of big dogs ever just because I chose to never let him around them. That being said, you have to watch your dog at all times no matter how big or small he/she is. If your dog is being aggressive, leave. If you notice your dog is getting picked on too much, leave. Little and big dogs CAN and DO play together very well (most of the time). 99% of the time it is the owners ignorance and stupidity that allows any problems to get out of hand.
I just want to remind everyone to WATCH and pay attention to your dogs at the dog park. Or anywhere really. If you notice your dog is having a bad day and not getting along with anyone (ie: picking on everyone), then get him out of there. If you know your dog is aggressive with other dogs, DON'T TAKE HIM TO THE DOG PARK in the first place!
Yesterday at my local dog park, there was a Husky that was picking on/snapping at every dog in the park. The owner was told many times and asked to control her dog/get him out of there, but she just kept saying he was fine and was just playing.
It happened in a split second. A little 6 year old Chihuahua was running around playing with the other dogs and out of no where this Husky runs up, grabs the Chihuahua and bites/mauls/shakes him. The Chihuahua had to be pried out of the Husky's mouth. There was blood everywhere and let's just say it wasn't pretty (the Chi's insides were hanging out). The Chi died on the way to the emergency vet. Among MANY other injuries, his heart had been punctured when the Husky grabbed him.
No one blames the Husky. He was obviously having a bad day. This is all on the Husky's owner. It's completely her fault for not paying attention to her dog and knowing when to get him out of there. Needless to say, she took off pretty quick after only saying "Great, now we will have vet bills to pay for". Unfortunately though, she disappeared before anyone could get her info and I have a feeling her and her Husky won't be coming back to the park.
We are a pretty tight nit group at our park. Everyone knows everyone else and their dogs. The little Chihuahua will be sadly missed by all of us AND our dogs! RIP little one!
Bentley and the Chihuahua playing yesterday before the attack...
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