Paw Park Breakdown (Sarasota, Fl)

[SRQ_Brutus]

Having a paw park is one of the things I love about the town I live in. Our park is huge! This weekend was one the the worst day I have ever had. Me and the kids brought Brutus to the park for an hour to mingle with the other dogs and play some frisbee.

We were there for about 45 min and getting ready to wrap it up when in comes a new dog. The dog was a pure white pit that brutus "Had" to go say hi to. Within seconds the pit had latched it's jaws around Brutus's Snout. Brutus who couldn't fight his way out of a paper bag instantly started to run dragging the attached pit. Finally the the pit let go and Brutus ran over to us with a gash in his head, snout and cheek. He was bleeding pretty good and my daughter who at 4 years old instantly knew her buddy was hurt started to cry.

My son followed suit as I headed torward the Jack*** who had brought the aggressive dog and had a grin on his face. Priding myself on how self controled I can be instantly lost all self control tearing into the guy for bringing an aggressive dog into a setting where dogs are known to be friendly outgoing pets. He said it was my dogs fault that if my dog would have never come up to his dog there would have not been a problem. "This is a paw park" Not a fighting ring. I told him and that I wanted to see his dogs tags. Thats when he made a b-line for the gate.

It was my luck thay the county keeps a watchful idea for just this reason. They happened to be in the parking lot when this all came down. I don't blame his dog for sure. But I do blame the owner and he should pay for not understanding the dangers of an aggressive dog. Brutus has had to get six stiches and this owner should pay. Now the guy was able to provide updated records which the county has on file. They asked if I wanted to press charges. Which means the dog would be taken and most likely be put down. Ofcourse I didn't want to see that happen so I denied.

But how do I make this guy pay the $700 vet bill I incurred because of this stupidness. Which is less likely to happen now because I didn't press charges.
Brutus is battered and sore but he will make it. I am just so angry that something like this can happen from somes stupidness

 

[Hobart Ave.]

Poor Brutus! I'm sorry you had such a negative experience. I take Hobart to the dog beach often and have never had a serious problem (knock on wood). It's infuriating when people bring dog-aggessive dogs into an area specifically meant for dogs to play off leash with eachother. The fact that this guy had a smile on his face really pi**es me off. I don't know what you could do to get him to foot the vet bill so I'm no help there. Sending healing ((((vibes)))) for a fast recovery for Brutus

 

[Chancejesi]

I am soooo sorry your family and Brutus had to experience that. My heart breaks for all of you. As far as getting him to foot the bill, I think it works the same way with human law. If you don't press charges you can't pursue reimbursment for vet bills and etc. If it was the first time the dog had done something like this odds are he wouldn't be put down for a first offense. I'm pretty sure you have to be a repeat offender to be put down no questions asked. Try going to myflorida.com and look up the statutes on dog bites. I would look into seeing if maybe you can still press charges and then send the owner the bill for Brutus' stitches I hope I could give you some answers to your questions Best of luck to your family and poor Brutus. Chance sends wiggles and slurps his way

 

[BXRBESTFRIND]

If you dont press charges, couldn't you go forward with a civil suit?(sp? is that the right suit?)
I would look into suing him for the cost of the vet bill

Im usually not one to encourage suing peoplle but the fact that he was SMILING after the attack P!$ses me off to no end He needs to be taught a lesson But like you said you wouldnt want to have the pit put down because of his own stupidity!!

I'm a big fan of pitbulls they are great dogs BUT they should never EVER go to dog parks. Even if the pit is well socialized if something would happen being the agressor or not the pit will be blamed.

I hope your boy is feeling better and heals fast

 

[Chiefsmom]

Oh poor Brutus (and you, for that matter!!!) :mad: Doesn't it stink that there are SOB Dog Owners that just don't care!!!! I hope your baby is okay!!! I hope you can find this shmuck who allowed his dog to do this!!! That upsets me! My Dad lives in Englewood, FL. (not too far at all!) And when we travel to Florida with the fur-babes, we often go to Sarasota (as it's the only place to go....). Now I'm questionning... and that shouldn't be the case at a PAW Park!!! Keep us posted!!!