Bad Situations: Loose Dogs vs. Leashed Dogs

Back in April, mcmama, otherwise known as Janet McMonagle the Community Manager, posted the thread “Leashed dog attacked by loose dog” over in the Pets Forum. The dogs involved were a terrier mix (the leashed one) and a German Shepherd (the loose one). Janet wasn’t sure if the Shepherd was going after the dog or his owner, but the little dog didn’t fare too well. His neck got all torn up and he had to be rushed to the vet and get stitches. Thankfully he lived. Having been in similar situations with both Budly and Murphy a time or two … Continue reading

Just in Time for National Dog Bite Prevention Week 2007

Just a little while ago I read Aimee’s harrowing tale of her recent dog park outing with Moose and Lally. (See: You Should Have Seen the Other Guy?) What an appropriate (yet unfortunate) tale that emphasizes this week’s theme: National Dog Bite Prevention Week. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “Each year, 800,000 Americans seek medical attention for dog bites; half of these are children.” Yikes. Even worse, about 386,000 who suffered injuries needed to go to the emergency room; about a dozen people died. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. It … Continue reading

Is It Ever Okay To Kick A Dog?

The other night my husband, Wayne, and I took our dog, Murphy, and headed out for what we thought was going to be a fun adventure. It was an adventure all right, but not one I’d wish on anyone. We belong to a group called Team Green. They regularly meet up for various activities. Around full moons, they often meet at local trails for Full Moon Hikes. Of course, this is a perfect opportunity for dogs to come along and many owners bring theirs. We pulled up a little after the 7:30 meeting time and were relieved to see they … Continue reading