Good Times in The Slope
A doubleshot of bad news in Park Slope this morning, courtesy of Gowanus Lounge: First, gunshots were reported around Baltic Street and 4th Avenue on Wednesday night; then, reports of an off-leash pit bull attacking a woman and her dog, breaking the owner’s arm and requiring the victim dog to get surgery. Nice.
A doubleshot of bad news in Park Slope this morning, courtesy of Gowanus Lounge: First, gunshots were reported around Baltic Street and 4th Avenue on Wednesday night; then, reports of an off-leash pit bull attacking a woman and her dog, breaking the owner’s arm and requiring the victim dog to get surgery. Nice.
Neither of these dogs are “at fault’ – their owners are. It’s the responsibility of all owners of big dogs AND little dogs to socialize (train) their dogs, and keep them leashed in accordance with the law.
Moreover, there are always exceptions, but generally, EVERY dog has the ability to be socialized to be non-aggressive toward people and dogs. Pit bulls, other terrier breeds, and certain working-group dogs were historically trained for fighting and bull-baiting (an ancient sport) and thus can be aggressive WHEN NOT SOCIALIZED. It’s the irresponsible OWNERS of fighting/working breeds like pit bulls who are responsible for the misbehavior of their animals and the breed’s undeserved negative reputation.
A caring and loving owner, with professional help if necessary (available throughout Brooklyn) will be able to successfully socialize just about any dog.
Finally, it’s just as important owners of toy breeds socialize their dogs as it is for large-breed owners. Too many small-dog owners believe it’s OK to allow their dogs to be aggressive with people and other dogs because “he/she is too small to hurt anyone.”
THL…that was amazing.
OK fsrg, I see your point about how the PSP poster may not have correctly identified the breed of dog. But in general, all dog-owners should keep their dogs on leashes on the street – there are dog runs to let them run loose. Park Slope is full of kids, and some of them are scared of dogs, or, alternately, some kids love dogs so much that they will just run up to one and try to smother with kisses and having a dog on a controlled leash can help control both kinds of situations (of course, parents must also be responsible with their kids!). Another pet peeve of mine (pardon the pun) is dog owners who don’t pooper scoop – fortunately, this is not a major problem in PS but I definitely see dog poop here and there and am amazed that owners would not clean up after their dogs…
They are airing this video on Inside Edition right now of this amazing dog saving another dogs life by dragging him to safety. It’s amazing:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/12/03/dog-saves-other-injured-d_n_148238.html
THANK YOU FSRG, one of the dogs in the building who is always off the leash IS one of those designer dogs! puggle i think (beagle puggle)… but that dog isnt really the problematic one. it’s this other little one that always runs down the stairs in a bolt of lightening. i guess tho since nothing has happened so far they think it’s okay, but it’s always annoying to have to deal with that, especially on the street.
when i lived in harlem i saw the most vicous dog fight ever. both dogs off the leash. one was an old poodle one was a pitbull. the pitbull did maul the beagle. cops called, the owner fled, the pitbull fled somewhere, it was HORRIBLE. if both dogs were leashed that wouldnt have happened.
ive yet to bring my dog to prospect for the off the leash hours, i just dont trust it. mostly i just dont trust other dog owners.
*rob*
MM – the average idiot walking down the street couldnt identify a pitbull from a boxer from a bulldog, while it may be likely that something happened…..I wouldnt trust the reliability of a PSP post in terms of any details (breed of dog, cause of injury, extent of injury, liability, etc….)
Let me also add, that in PS anyway – I would say that 99.9% of the Pitbulls I see are wonderful and friendly dogs. This may be because 99% of the Pitbulls in PS appear to be rescued dogs (thereby generally demonstrated good disposition), who have been fixed, well cared for, and trained by experienced owners.
On the other hand – I’d say about 35% of the little dogs I encounter are growling, barking untrained, unmanaged menaces. This may be because they are bought by inexperienced people who get there dogs without any regarding for proper breeding, spade/neutering and with the selfish (and wrong) attitude that training is unnecessary – because their dog is so “cute” and little.
Any responsible dog owner knows to ask “is he/she friendly?” before having 2 dogs meet. If you don’t even have a dog on a leash and he/she gets mauled then you let your dog down big time…
bnative… agreeance (i know people hate that fake word whatever). i did used to muzzle him when i first got him and had to walk him thru corridors, etc. he’s trained and socialized these days. he has a choke collar that keeps him inline (it doesnt hurt him btw, it’s loose). i just don’t feel like i have to worry all the time walking out my door that some imbecile ditzy owner with a toy dog running down the stairs is going to accost my dog. i mean, if they were on the leash i can guarantee you it would fine they would sniff each other and move on… but the thing is, when a dog is off the leash and comes running up to a dog on a leash it can be bad. why do you think leashes are not allowed in dog runs? it causes anxiety in other dogs and vice versa.
and to the person who said all pitbulls should be eradicated. whatever. hannibal lecter liked to bite people, should all humans be “eradicated” okay seriously stupid analogy, but you get my point, or dont. and also sorry about your tragedy, that is horrible.
*rob*
brooklynnative you should open up your mind a bit. Gun rights aside, if you own a gun legally and someone steals it and commits a crime you’re not responsible. This is not hard to comprehend…