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Tuesday Maggie and I got in the car and headed to a park in Sarasota where dogs are permitted. As we approached the fenced in dog park area, Maggie pulled on her leash to go in. I stood outside the fence watching the other dogs play and everyone got along without incident. So we went in and Maggie was introduced to the pack. I wanted to take her to an open area before I released her but as we moved off, Maggie decided to scratch her belly on the ground. Suddenly one of the larger dogs came up behind her, straddled her body and then grabbed her by her back, shook her and bit up her left front leg before the owner and I could get them apart.

Had to take her to the ER for xrays, morphine and antibiotics. She is progressing and today walked without buckling her foot. For those who have met Maggie, you remember that she is a sweet and timid dog who likes meeting other dogs. I have no idea why that dog attacked her. That is the last time we ever go into one of those dog parks although we have done it before without issues. I just hope that this episode does not make her afraid of other dogs. For now I have kept her away from other dogs being walked since she could not walk too well or without pain.

Joan

Poor Maggie Mae! I am glad she will be okay.

My daughter's dogs get into a tiff every now and then so I have wondered how all those dogs can be loose in a park without incident.

Dear Maggie,

I am so very very sorry that big mean dog attacked you...sometimes things just don't make any sense.
Hope you will feel better real soon.

I am sending you tender kisses.

Love,
Abby

Aw, poor Maggie. I'm sure it scared you as much as it did her, I'm glad she's doing better today.

In cases like this, does the owner of the dog that was aggressive pay the medical bills or is that something you accept responsibility in order to enter one? I think I would be too nervous about not knowing how the different dogs react to each other.

According to my vet, statistically, there is a greater likelihood of your dog getting hurt at a dog park than anywhere else. He sees more victims of attacks come through his door than just about anything else. Additionally, he said that the kinds of diseases that are present in dog parks would make anyone shudder.

For those of you who have had good experiences with them, be glad. This is something I feel pretty passionate about, so please excuse my strong response. But I'd rather let my dog enjoy a long walk, with me getting some exercise too, than to have him run in a pen with a bunch of dogs that might not like him.

Laura

I know just how scared you must have been. My dog (ON LEASH) was recently bitten by a Pit Bull (OFF LEASH) in the RV Park I am staying in and fortunately just had a small bite mark on her back that I doctored with Antibiotic cream and watched carefully, it healed without incident.

I notified the manager of the park and she promptly drove over and evicted them. She gave them 20 minutes to leave.....gotta love her.

I don't do many dog parks as my vet also said there is so many things dogs can catch due to not all owners vaccinate and take care of their dogs like most of us do. I qualify this as my Adult community I live in has a small dog park that we do frequent. There is a 1 dog and 25# limit per household so not much of an issue. I think we like the idea of our dogs frolicking together and having fun but in reality after the initial sniffing my dog is done!!! My vet also recommends worming my dog once a year so I do this in October when all her other check ups are due. Its a pretty easy deal with the powder sprinkled over her food for 3 days.....never saw any but guess I could have missed one or two ha ha

Glad your dog is on the mend. I am sure she was scared. My dog was petrified but isnt really afraid of other dogs so guess she got over that hurdle. My dog is passive but nosy and introducing dogs when they are on a leash seems like a super idea to me.

karen

poor Maggie, glad she's on the mend and hope there is no lasting issues. Used to do the dog park with Bandit and Gracie.
They loved it and all was always well but when I got Pixie, things did not go well and the dogs tried to "pack" her. She
screamed bloody murder and that made everything worse. Had to hold her the whole time while Gracie ran around and
exercised. We tried it twice but got the same results so never took her again.

Aw, poor Maggie. So glad she's already on the mend, and hope it doesn't traumatize either of you too much for the future.

Poor Maggie Mae, Poor Joan...
Glad she's getting better, but gosh what a heart-stopper that whole experience that must have been.
I've been a bad mom - haven't taken Sierra out much - only socialization has been with family pets coming over to visit here at home. Always wondered how those doggies areas worked - guess they are ok for some, but must use with caution. Son said they had a similar experience with their 4 month old pup - she was pretty much traumatized by bigger dogs yesterday - now they're looking for an area restricted to 'medium sized' dogs.
What did we do in the olden days??? didn't dogs just stay in their yard with their families?

I am afraid I agree with Laura on this one. I don't like dog parks. I don't know the dogs and how well they are socialized as well whether they have had their shots or not. I am not always fond of walking my dogs in the parks as well. It depends on what other dogs are around and how aggressive they act as we are walking past. We were in a park once where there was a large dog who lunged on it's lead line to get to the street where we were walking. We did not walk that way again. The barking and excitement of other dogs does not bother me, but aggression does.

In the RV park where I am currently located, a chihuahua got out of its home just as another camper walked by with his dog. The chihuahua had been barking hysterically and acted aggressive rushing up to the man and his dog. Apparently the guy kicked the dog away. When the guy woke up the next morning he found several lines on this camper had been cut. Hmmmm.....

The man should not have kicked the dog. I cannot imagine ever kicking a dog but not having been there, I don't know if the man had any other option to protect himself and his dog. Any size dog can be aggressive. It seems pretty cowardly for the other people in the park to cut the lines on his camper. A much better way would have been for the two dog owners to talk.

So sorry Joan to hear about Maggie Mae, I hope she will be well soon.
I would not be comfortable taking a dog to a dog park or even dog areas at rest stops, like others have said too many diseases and top much possibility of someone getting hurt. I'm even concerned at taking Toby to his obedience class as there are almost 20 dogs, but they did check that everyone had up to date shots. I had seven dogs at one time when I lived on a farm and a couple would occasionally fight, it was really scary when it happened.

So sorry to hear about Maggie Mae. That is really scary. Glad she is doing well and will be OK.

Oh, poor Maggie Mae! Dog fights are scary. I'm so glad she's recovering. Best wishes to both of you!