A Yorkie "mix" killed at a dog park! Breaks my heart!

[Buddy-licious]

Reading this story...my heart is breaking! I cannot imagine what they are going through!
Mastiff kills terrier mix at Frazier Dog Park - CharlotteObserver.com

[Zeus08]

How tragic! Why would that Mastiff and Yorkie be on the same side? We have a big dog area and a small dog area. My heartbreaks for that family.

[cathys]

Wow, how awful. I don't understand. Why didn't someone call the police? Now this person will just get away with this. Who's doing to make sure this doesn't happen again?

[Britster]

How terrible What a tragic story.

[DerbyLayne]

Originally Posted by Zeus08

How tragic! Why would that Mastiff and Yorkie be on the same side? We have a big dog area and a small dog area.

Not all dog parks have big and small dog areas. In fact, there are a lot more that don't have it from what I've seen.

I often go to dog park that have both big and small breeds of dogs playing, and there are never any issues! sometimes our Derby even plays with bigger dogs! He'll accidentally get stepped on, but it's his own fault for playing with dog 5 times his size. He always goes back for more because he knows it was an accident. No big dog has ever intentionally hurt Derby.

For all we know that mastiff has a tiny play dog toy at home that has taught him to pick on small dogs like that. We don't know right?

And mentioning the fact that he wasn't neutered is kind of irrelevant if you ask me. Sure, dogs are bit more hyper at times but it doesn't mean they are vicious just because they aren't neutered. We all know that.

[jrsygal37]

I'm not a big fan of dog parks due to this reason, but I think if they are going to have them, they should require that a copy of the owner's driver's license be given prior to entering. There should be a log with the ID of the dog and a copy of the owner's driver's license. This way there is accountability when something like this happens. Seems to me these dog parks are a free for all. This is not the first time an attack has taken place, nor is it the first time the dog and owner just leave and no one knows who they are. I feel terrible for the owners and that poor dog. Elaine

[Zeus08]

Originally Posted by jrsygal37

I'm not a big fan of dog parks due to this reason, but I think if they are going to have them, they should require that a copy of the owner's driver's license be given prior to entering. There should be a log with the ID of the dog and a copy of the owner's driver's license. This way there is accountability when something like this happens. Seems to me these dog parks are a free for all. This is not the first time an attack has taken place, nor is it the first time the dog and owner just leave and no one knows who they are. I feel terrible for the owners and that poor dog. Elaine

All dog parks that I have seen have a sign at the entrance telling you that you are responsible for your own dog. Basically, enter at your own risk. I guess you really never know when something like this will happen. That Yorkie never had a chance. Just a sad situation.

[Twinkie2Cute]

This is a very sad story. I don't know what I would have done if that had happened to me and my furbaby. Like all of you have said, if the dog was viscous, leave him at home!

[spiritwings1202]

This is so sad.

I have been to the dog park once and did not like it. Too many people think it is a place to let your dog run and not have to watch it, they get busy talking to people and FORGET to watch their dog.

I am one of those people that even if we are on a trail and a big dog come near Pixie I pick her up. I have seen what a Pitt bull can do to a cat and I NEVER want to experience that again. I always feel it is better to be safe than sorry. sometimes people get offended and say oh he is friendly he won't hurt your dog and I just say oh but she is not!! lol It isn't true though Pixie thinks that walking on a trail is a meet and greet for her like she is on the red carpet! Look at me aren't I beautiful, God forbid if someone doesn't notice her she looks disapointed.

[Britster]

Originally Posted by DerbyLayne

Not all dog parks have big and small dog areas. In fact, there are a lot more that don't have it from what I've seen.

I often go to dog park that have both big and small breeds of dogs playing, and there are never any issues! sometimes our Derby even plays with bigger dogs! He'll accidentally get stepped on, but it's his own fault for playing with dog 5 times his size. He always goes back for more because he knows it was an accident. No big dog has ever intentionally hurt Derby.

For all we know that mastiff has a tiny play dog toy at home that has taught him to pick on small dogs like that. We don't know right?

And mentioning the fact that he wasn't neutered is kind of irrelevant if you ask me. Sure, dogs are bit more hyper at times but it doesn't mean they are vicious just because they aren't neutered. We all know that.

I love the dog park and don't know what I would do without it! But I do like having a big/small area. Jackson gets along with big dogs but it would just be too much worry to have them all mixed in in my opinion. Jackson likes to run and chase, and when a bigger dog is chasing him, sometimes that worries me but of course he handles it like a pro! and same as Derby.... goes back for more!

I definitely do think your dog should have to be neutered/spayed to get into a dog park... they tell you no dog in heat is allowed in but I gotta say, the main dogs I've seen causing issues are the ones unaltered. They are always the bullies, even the small dogs. And even if they are not a bully, they a constant victim of being humped by other fixed dogs because of the scent they put off. I think it's just smarter to have all fixed dogs in a dog park personally.

But I think it's all a matter of reading dogs body language and feeding off the energy. Some days Jackson would prefer to just lounge around the park and not be bothered and watch everybody. Other days he runs for 2 hours straight! Different dogs bring different energies. I love our dog park!

[yorkie mad]

Originally Posted by Britster

How terrible What a tragic story.

Just awfull

[chattiesmom]

How tragic to lose your beloved furkid due to the irresponsibility of another dog owner. Sending prayers to the owners of the little one.

I have only been to one dog park (I was dogless) - it was a YT meetup in Texas. For the most part, I am very much opposed to the whole idea of letting strange dogs run together. The Yorkies were fantastic together - the moms and dads carefully watched them and most of the Yorkies were way too busy exploring to quarrel. It was fairly safe to assume that all group members were utd on vaccinations.

BUT the same could not be said for the other dogs that came into the park. There were several bigger dogs running loose in "our area" a couple of them tried to help themselves to our snacks, and one "claimed" an ice chest as a male dogs will do .

[DerbyLayne]

Originally Posted by Britster

I love the dog park and don't know what I would do without it! But I do like having a big/small area. Jackson gets along with big dogs but it would just be too much worry to have them all mixed in in my opinion. Jackson likes to run and chase, and when a bigger dog is chasing him, sometimes that worries me but of course he handles it like a pro! and same as Derby.... goes back for more!

I definitely do think your dog should have to be neutered/spayed to get into a dog park... they tell you no dog in heat is allowed in but I gotta say, the main dogs I've seen causing issues are the ones unaltered. They are always the bullies, even the small dogs. And even if they are not a bully, they a constant victim of being humped by other fixed dogs because of the scent they put off. I think it's just smarter to have all fixed dogs in a dog park personally.

But I think it's all a matter of reading dogs body language and feeding off the energy. Some days Jackson would prefer to just lounge around the park and not be bothered and watch everybody. Other days he runs for 2 hours straight! Different dogs bring different energies. I love our dog park!

Where I live in the city, the big dog/small dog seperate dog park is a 30 minute street car ride away. I can hit 3 off leash dog parks within 15 minute walking distance. I tend to go for what's convenient and the other park is a nice "treat" although their fenced in areas are so small. the other parks are huge!

I hear what you are saying though. I guess I never thought about it? Derby gets humped all the time (by fixed and unfixed dogs), and he's fixed. While I don't agree with letting an unfixed dog run wild with other dogs (for fear of unwanted pregnancies), I have never seen any real agression from these dogs. I guess i'm just lucky!!

But how would you monitor this stuff? offleash dog parks in a big park area with no fencing is really hard to do.

[Britster]

Originally Posted by DerbyLayne

Where I live in the city, the big dog/small dog seperate dog park is a 30 minute street car ride away. I can hit 3 off leash dog parks within 15 minute walking distance. I tend to go for what's convenient and the other park is a nice "treat" although their fenced in areas are so small. the other parks are huge!

I hear what you are saying though. I guess I never thought about it? Derby gets humped all the time (by fixed and unfixed dogs), and he's fixed. While I don't agree with letting an unfixed dog run wild with other dogs (for fear of unwanted pregnancies), I have never seen any real agression from these dogs. I guess i'm just lucky!!

But how would you monitor this stuff? offleash dog parks in a big park area with no fencing is really hard to do.

Makes sense, I don't blame you for hitting up the closest ones! But wow, I've never heard of unfenced dog park, maybe that's just me? I wouldn't trust Jackson not to wander off! And believe me, I'm not even one of these totally overprotective crazy dog parents lol, he gets allowed to do alot

I do agree, even fixed dogs hump, etc and Jackson's been humped a few times but in my experience, the dogs with their jewels all hanging out have always been the ones to cause trouble!

The park I go to costs $40 for yearly pass, it's a big state park with a dog park inside. It's about a 20-25 minute drive for me. It's $6 for one time entry fee. So I'm fairly certain most people that are willing to pay for their dogs to enter a park aren't gonna be these totally irresponsible people(not always the case... but I think it's part of what makes our park so nice!)

Now, there's another park that's about a 15 minute drive from me and it's free. It's really nice and has small/big sections but the small side rarely has other dogs in it except on the weekends. The big dog side always has at least 1 or 2 other dogs! I have let Jackson in the big dog side before if it's only between 1-4 big dogs and I scope them out first and see their energy and if it will be ok. Jackson is a bigger boy at over 12lbs but it still just worries me!

[DerbyLayne]

Originally Posted by Britster

Makes sense, I don't blame you for hitting up the closest ones! But wow, I've never heard of unfenced dog park, maybe that's just me? I wouldn't trust Jackson not to wander off! And believe me, I'm not even one of these totally overprotective crazy dog parents lol, he gets allowed to do alot

I do agree, even fixed dogs hump, etc and Jackson's been humped a few times but in my experience, the dogs with their jewels all hanging out have always been the ones to cause trouble!

The park I go to costs $40 for yearly pass, it's a big state park with a dog park inside. It's about a 20-25 minute drive for me. It's $6 for one time entry fee. So I'm fairly certain most people that are willing to pay for their dogs to enter a park aren't gonna be these totally irresponsible people(not always the case... but I think it's part of what makes our park so nice!)

Now, there's another park that's about a 15 minute drive from me and it's free. It's really nice and has small/big sections but the small side rarely has other dogs in it except on the weekends. The big dog side always has at least 1 or 2 other dogs! I have let Jackson in the big dog side before if it's only between 1-4 big dogs and I scope them out first and see their energy and if it will be ok. Jackson is a bigger boy at over 12lbs but it still just worries me!

We have one here that costs money too, but it's a bit out of the way for me. I think a YT poster on here are going to have a doggie playdate there sometime soon. I'd love to check it out! I wonder how Derby will behave being so use to being free? I call him a maniac.

Derby is really good at coming back when he's called as long as I get my mean, GRUFF, rough and tough voice on. (the one where he thinks he's in trouble!) it works. I guess he's just use to not being fenced in at the dog park because that's basically all he's known since he was a puppy. When we take him to the fenced in big dog/small dog park he tends to be confused as to why the big and small dogs are seperated. He tries to squeeze through the fence. He use to fit through it months ago, but he's too big now. when he was younger he would run back and forth between the two depending on how much action there was going on. it was cute!

Anyway, I can't believe you drive to a dog park often! wow, i guess it's no different that Derby and I taking the streetcar to another park, I guess. You're right though, with a yearly fee and all that- I'm sure there'd be no problems getting dogs registered there! like a gym for dogs all your info on file