What is WRONG with PEOPLE today!!!!???

[Christine Stull]

I think that the attention the media gives to dog attacks is mostly responsible for a lot of peoples reactions to dogs. Matilda is white, and the first thing peolple ask is, "Is that a Pitt Bull?" They're not used to a white Boxer. Of course, a lot of people simply don't know the difference. They see the short snout and square looking head and just assume she's a Pitt Bull.The jerk with the cane probably thinks every dog he sees is like the vicious one he saw on T.V. last night! It's a shame they never show dogs like ours on T.V. The sweet, lovable, clown-like ones we're all used to dealing with. Maybe people wouldn't be so quick to assume the worst and lash out like that.

 

[jicksies]

Type A Mommy....

Hi there....yes, long leashes or acreage would be awesome!! Actually my husband and I just bought 7 acres in the country and I can't wait until we build our home and our dogs can run free on our property! It's a dream come true!!! As far as the leash law goes, I perfectly understand the leash law and also certain people's fear of dogs...I just came back from the park as a matter of fact and had my pups on leashes the entire time...there's a time and a place for it...Bumper is an exceptional dog though, and this man's attack on him was so entirely uncalled for...to attack a dog without provocation is idiotic and just slightly unstable..."How to get a Dog to Attack You...Attack It First" ...Grea idea......anyway...here's to our boxers!!! The bad publicity lately on TV regarding our breed and others has definitely not helped the situation out there and I agree, Boxers need to be shown in the media more often as true lovers and clowns that they are....

 

[ince boy]

ive got to start this by saying iam i non violent person (and animal lover)i have a 5 month old baby and if any person ATTEMPTED to even touch my pup in any malicious way whatsoever i would knock the ?hit out of him.

 

[Timmy S.]

Jicksies....So sorry to hear about your experience at the park lately. Did this occur at the same park you and I bring our boxers? The one in Lacey? If it is, I really hope I don't run into this guy with the cane while I'm walking Maddy. I was just at the park in Lacey this past Friday afternoon with Maddy and we had a great time running around and meeting people. Although I completly agree with TypeAMommy's pro leash remarks, I also agree with those that said they would have taken action themselves. I can't imagine something like that happening to Madison. I agree with you jicksies when you said that you thought he over-reacted. If he had a phobia or stigma attached to dogs, you would think he would just walk away quickly. Instead this moron wants to inflict harm on an otherwise friendly, curious dog. Personally, I would have lost it. I wouldn't have asked questions first. Nobody does that to my dog. Period. I really hope this incident hasn't soured your feelings regarding walking your little boys in the park. Don't let this wacked-idiot ruin a good time with your babies. Maddy, Trish and I look forward to seeing you again at the park.

 

[jicksies]

ince boy!

Believe me it crossed my mind! My main concern was getting by this crazy man before he hurt my Bumper even more...Later when my adrenaline rush dissipated I really wished I had done something more...I just was at a loss and frankly scared of this man...ya never know out there anymore ...I actually felt guilty that I hadn't done more to protect Bumper but yet I don't know what else I could've done seriously. Press charges for assaulting my dog? Couldn't do that because Bumps was off-lead which is a no-no...no recourse really except to get the he** outta there. Ruined my day, Ruined my view of this truly beautiful rain-forest type park....so FRUSTRATING! I asked my husband what he would've done if it were him and he said he would've grabbed the cane out of the man's hand if the man continued to strike Bumper...Don't think I would have the strength to do that and like I said before ya never know WHO you're dealin' with these days...sad, really sad...

 

[jicksies]

Timmy, Trish, and Maddie-re: crazy man at park

Hi !!!! No, thankfully this awful incident didn't happen at Wonderwood Park but rather at Priest Point Park...have u been there? It is absolutely beautiful, never crowded and has awesome walking trails that lead you right to the Puget Sound...My dogs love it! (Until now...:-C ). I love going to this park because the hike down to the water is breath-taking-all old-growth and moss and ivy and then the reward is the Sound! It's a great hike as well as far as excercise for ME and the pups! I was alone at the time this happened and frankly ended up telling the man that HE is one of the reasons I have BIG DOGS...for PROTECTION!!! It was truly awful and this is the second time in a matter of months that someone has attacked my dogs without provocation. Last time a man attacked Barley, picked him up and hurled him onto the pavement...I was devastated and once again felt helpless. My mouth was going a mile a minute believe me but that's about all I had as a "weapon"...So frustrating and actually has been traumatizing for me as well as my dogs.I truly would like to know what other people would've done in my situation...what more could I have done? My adrenaline gets goin' whenever I flash on the whole scene...My dogs are like my kids and NO ONE HAS A RIGHT TO HURT THEM!...anyway, thanks for your reply...would love to see you guys at the park...was there today and Booder and Barley had a great time! Wasn't too crowded for a weekend either! Take care Timmy, Trish and beautiful Maddie...

 

[artemis4951]

receiving end

i nearly got attacked today while walking my dogs. so i can somewhat relate to mr. paranoid.

this same dog goes after us every day and he's unrestrained and completely unsupervised. i don't think his owners were home, even.

for the last week, as i jog by this dog's home, he runs up to the fence, goes through a huge hole in it, and chases us down the street.

well, today, i had it. i've been feeling all guilty for contemplating calling animal control, but after yelling obscenities at the top of my lungs, lobbing several objects at the dog, and finally kicking it in the snout, i decided that animal control could deal with it. a few days back it wouldn't back off and i shouted so loudly at it that the construction workers a lot over came running to save me -- by that time the dog had gone back inside the fence.

anyway, today i did call animal control. for all the help it's given me in perfecting my sprinting skills, i can't go on feeling like i can't walk my dogs ever in my own neighborhood. and i feel extremely guilty. but that's the way it goes, i guess.

 

[jicksies]

To Artemis

I'm sorry that happened to you and feel bad for you that you don't feel safe in your own neighborhood. I wondered though if you attempted to speak with the owners? As far as my own experience, as I said in my post, Bumper was minding his own business sniffing around and trotting up the path; he never showed aggression towards this man nor has he ever showed signs of aggression towards people in the past. He is a five year old, well-adjusted, lovable boxer who basically adores people and especially his family. In your case, YOU were minding your own business and were undeservedly threatened...that's not right either.However, Bumper didn't deserve the treatment he received from this man and you don't deserve being attacked in your own neighborhood. In your situation, the owners needed to be notified of the problem with their dogs (ie: the hole in the fence). Dogs are extremely territorial animals but were obviously not trained properly on how to conduct themselves when it came to neighbors passing by.You have no cause to feel guilty. You made the right decision and maybe even prevented someone from getting seriously hurt. There are extreme differences between the dogs you described in your experience and my dog Bumper. I hope the problem has been resolved and you are able to relax again in your own neighborhood, and hopefully, I won't have more incidences like this last one where the people over-react and respond aggressively.

 

[Mac and Tigra's mom]

It's amazing how many people are terrified of dogs. especially of boxer's they are very intimidating looking and people just assume they are pits or mastiffs. They also have a way with going up to people that are really horrifed of them. Whenever anyone acts real scared around my dogs, I always educate them and tell them they are boxer's and they love people, they are just wanting to say " HI " to you!
act like that crazy guy you came across, although no one has ever hit or kicked my dogs, if they did, they would be real SORRY. He was probably bit my a dog once and has always been terrified of them. still no excuse! He was way out of line and had no business hitting poor Bumper.

I hope you never see this man again. He had no right to be near an off leash dog park. that was just STUPID of him.

sorry for the awful experience. some people are so LAME!

 

[Lisa M]

I understand your side but many people are very scared of dogs. I also let Sumi walk off leash, she's very well trained and whenever a stranger approaches on foot, bike, jogging etc. Sumi is called back to heel position, she immeditely turns and comes over to me and after she is by me I will tell the person that she's friendly. If they want to let her approach them then I'll say "OK" and she can go and say hello to them. If they don't respond or seem scared or say they don't like dogs, I'll just keep her next to me until they pass us. I will never let her approach a person unless I know who it is or determine that they WANT to be approached by my very friendly but very big dog. Even people who seem scared of her often comment that she's a "good" dog when they see her respond to my commands so well.

People who don't like dogs do have the right to go about their business without being approached by a dog that they may be scared of regardless of whether it is friendly or not.