Dog People: Dog Parks and Dog Attacks

[ErinE]

My seven month old puppy was just attacked at a dog park while I was holding onto him. He's an active, playful dog who loves to run which seems to attract dogs who love to chase. On a normal play day, I always call my dog back to me when the other dog gets too vocal since my dog almost never barks or growls and never does so at other dogs. I also call my dog to me when his playmate is called by his owner just so he's not crowding the other dog and dog owner.

 

The aggressive dog gave me a bad vibe from the start. He ran up to and waited by the entrance as we approached and wouldn't leave even when his owner finally realized what he was doing and called him. She physically pulled him away while I waited since I never open the gate with a dog by the entrance. She assured me he was just being friendly, but I told her I always waited for the other dog to step away as I didn't want her dog to escape the park. My dog takes off running with the other dog running after and growling/barking loudly. Both dogs were about the same size so I wasn't worried about a size difference; my dog wants to play with any dog, no matter the size. I kept calling my dog back to me so the other dog had space to calm down. I had just called my dog and was petting him when the other dog approached and put his nose on my dog's neck. I adjusted my grip on my dog's collar and the other dog attacked.

 

I tried to separate the two which only caused the other dog to attack harder. I called out, "Who's dog is this? Where's this dog's owner?" and finally the woman stepped forward. The aggressor was on top of my dog, continuing to bite and growl while my puppy was yelping. It wasn't play biting.

 

I shouted, "Get your dog off my dog!" while trying to find a way to extract my dog. She finally grabbed her dog's back legs and pulled him away.

 

She asked me, "Did it happen out of nowhere? What did your dog do?" I was so furious I couldn't say anything.  She remained at the park while I put the leash on my dog and left, shaking in fear and anger. I thought I was going to lose my dog right in front of me.

 

My dog now has two puncture marks on his back. The bleeding stopped soon after we left, but he loves the dog park and I'm worried this will ruin it for him. I'm also concerned that this woman didn't seem to understand her dog was the aggressor. I'm kicking myself for not telling her about the bleeding bite marks and the fact her dog walked up to me and attacked my dog while my own dog was under my control. She had her back to us when the altercation happened so she didn't see anything. I was just so shaken I couldn't think straight. Ugh. I feel like I screwed it up because I could have been more calm and at the very least, told this woman her dog was the attacker.

[hjffkj]

From my experience, even if you had calmly talked about it she would not have believed you. so don't waste your time worrying about how you reacted to her dog attacking.  I hope your pup recovers quickly and enjoys the park next time.

[stephanier.1765]

:grouphug:  Unfortunately, you can't fix stupid. I'm so sorry this happened to you guys.

[Jean in Newcastle]

Report the incident to animal control.  Even if you don't know the woman's name, they can take details on kind of dog etc.  If this happens again there will be a pattern.  I would have wanted to know if the other dog's shots were up to date.  I bet the vet will ask you about that. 

[Pawz4me]

I very rarely go to a dog park. We've always had very large, fenced back yards so going to one for exercise has never been necessary. And IMO they aren't the place for beneficial socialization. I hope your dog is okay.  :grouphug:

[ILiveInFlipFlops]

She assured me he was just being friendly...

 

Anytime a dog owner says this, I am instantly on guard  :glare:

 

I'm so sorry about your dog. That's just truly awful pet ownership on her part.

[StephanieZ]

I'm so sorry.

 

Dh is a vet. . .  These sorts of attacks happen *all the time* at dog parks. 

 

Idiots take their poorly behaved dogs to dog parks where they terrorize innocent owners and innocent dogs . . .

 

Besides the high risk of a physical attack, there's also incredibly high risks of communicable diseases and parasites at dog parks. You have to assume that the dog park is a veritable petri dish of nasty dog diseases. It is. I guarantee it. 

 

We never take our dogs to dog parks, and I never would consider it, ever. We have a large fenced yard, plenty of places to walk on leash, and when we have dogs who enjoy running loose (and can do so safely), we do it on/in low-use trails/wild areas where they will be the only dogs there or occasionally one or two other dogs . . . Folks who take their dogs to places like that and let them off-leash are generally responsible owners with well behaved dogs. In 30 years of taking many different dogs hiking/backpacking/running off leash on trails in dozens of states over many thousands of hours . . . we've never had an incident/fight/attack with another dog, ever. The odds are much in your favor in places like that vs. dog parks. 

 

Also, I'd advise carrying pepper spray. It won't seriously injure your dog, but it will end the fight. Then you can go to the vet and get your dog's eyes taken care of. Better than a dead dog or lots or ripping injuries. If you don't want to carry pepper spray, then carrying a big heavy stick (like a pipe or a baseball bat) would be helpful.

 

Personally, I'd kick the shit out of any dog who was attacking my dog (or any other innocent dog). I'd probably get bit in the meantime, but, well, there you go. I'd aim for the chest and head. I guess wearing heavy boots and jeans would make that more safe (for me). Another reason for me not to go to dog parks, I guess. 

 

I hope you've already taken your dog to the vet. If not, do it now. Definitely need to get the puncture wounds taken care of properly. Will need antibiotics, for sure. Often times, the punctures are only what you see, and there can be a lot more tissue damage/tearing that you can't see at the surface. Since you don't know the rabies status of the dog who attacked your dog, you will need to discuss that with the vet. As long as your dog is properly vaccinated, it probably won't be a huge big deal. (Although it may be, depending on your local laws/animal control/rabies incidence.) If your dog is even days overdue for rabies vaccination, it will be a huge big deal. In the future, you really want to get the contact info for the owner to get the dog's vaccine status confirmed and also to report the bite so that the proper legal authorities can take appropriate action against the owner. (She'd also be liable for your vet bills, but good luck with that . . .)

 

[ktgrok]

In cases of dog fights either one of two things usually happens:

 

1. Owner of aggressive dog takes dog home and apologizes profusely, and of course asks if other dog is okay. 

 

2. Owner of aggressive dog refuses to accept responsibility and won't leave, in which case I call the cops. Thankfully this has not happened to my dog, but as a bystander i've called the police non emergency number. Aggressive dogs are not allowed in the park and the police will ask them to leave. 

[ktgrok]

Also, see if there is a less busy time to utilize the dog park. i go daily, but in the morning when it is the same group of people/dogs every single day. All are fun and well behaved. The evenings and weekends are more of a free for all and I've had a few minor incidents (trash talking by dominant dogs, not any actual injuries/bites). 

[Tiramisu]

I'm sorry that happened to you.

 

We had a dog attack recently while out for a walk. The owner had to pull his pit bull off of my puppy's throat TWICE. I couldn't stop shaking even after we got away. There was a puncture wound so pup got a rabies booster and antibiotics.

 

We used a trainer years ago who cautioned us about dog parks, but H loves to take our dog to the dog park. I always got nervous about the kids going there because there were a couple of adult regulars who needed knee surgery after dogs ran into them at high speed.

 

Our service organization we raise puppies for won't let us take their puppies to dog parks at all, ever. I guess they are known for issues. :(

[bzymom]

I am so sorry-your poor pup! I hope the vet can clean out the bites, give him some antibiotics and he recovers quickly.

 

We don’t go to the dog parks because of these issues. Irresponsible people playing Candy Crush while their dog rips up other people’s well-behaved pets.

Edited October 17, 2017 by bzymom

[Selkie]

 

Besides the high risk of a physical attack, there's also incredibly high risks of communicable diseases and parasites at dog parks. You have to assume that the dog park is a veritable petri dish of nasty dog diseases. It is. I guarantee it. 

 

We never take our dogs to dog parks, and I never would consider it, ever. 

 

I agree. We never take our dogs to dog parks, either, and I was also going to mention the disease risk. A dog park in our area just had to be shut down because of a disease problem.

[ILiveInFlipFlops]

 

If your dog is even days overdue for rabies vaccination, it will be a huge big deal.

 

A little OT, but why is it a huge deal? A few years ago we had a bat in the house while I was asleep in the living room, and I was able to get the rabies vax in the days immediately following it. Can it not work the same way for pets? (I don't have dogs anymore, but I used to, and I'm curious.)

 

Thanks!

[Guest]

From my experience, even if you had calmly talked about it she would not have believed you. so don't waste your time worrying about how you reacted to her dog attacking. I hope your pup recovers quickly and enjoys the park next time.

Yes, this woman is somewhere telling people about the crazy lady she met at the park who thought her precious baby was aggressive. Sorry this happened to you.

[kewb]

I don't bring my dog to the dog park.  He was attacked by a Jack Russell Terrier and the other owner blamed my dog when he stuck his hands in between the 2 dogs and was bitten.  Even though there was no way to know which dog did the biting. And who sticks their hands in between the mouths of fighting dogs?  My dh was in the process of pulling our dog away by the hind legs when the other guy stuck his hand in.  It was an awful experience and it soured me on the dog park experience.  

 

Don't waste a second thinking you could have said anything that would make this woman think differently about her dog. She started with accusing your dog of doing something.

[Tiramisu]

A little OT, but why is it a huge deal? A few years ago we had a bat in the house while I was asleep in the living room, and I was able to get the rabies vax in the days immediately following it. Can it not work the same way for pets? (I don't have dogs anymore, but I used to, and I'm curious.)

 

Thanks!

Not the PP, but the OP should be able to get a rabies booster for her pup, and might want to do so in any case.

 

Even when vaccinated pups in our service group have a rabies exposure, a booster is generally recommended.

[StephanieZ]

A little OT, but why is it a huge deal? A few years ago we had a bat in the house while I was asleep in the living room, and I was able to get the rabies vax in the days immediately following it. Can it not work the same way for pets? (I don't have dogs anymore, but I used to, and I'm curious.)

 

Thanks!

 

Nope, it doesn't work that way for pets. The post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) you had costs about $2000-3000+ per person. (Health departments might have given it cheap/free, or your insurance might have covered it, but it costs $$$$ to somebody somewhere.) (Even routine pre-exposure rabies vaccine is about $1000 or more for the series.) There is no PEP for pets.

 

It is actually absolutely illegal (as in license losing illegal) for a vet to administer a rabies vaccine to a dog after a bite [ETA: if the dog/victim was not properly vaccinated already]. There are very exacting laws on rabies vaccines, due to the high priority on protecting human life and the fatality risk of rabies. No chances are taken with human life . . . the gamble is that they'll kill and/or isolate for long periods hundreds/thousands of dogs to save a single human exposure/death. It's sad but reasonable given the grave risk of rabies . . . Thus, there are very exacting laws on how to treat a dog who has been bitten by another animal that is potentially rabid . . . If the dog/victim has proof of current vaccination, then they can be assumed to be safe . . . but, if no proof of current vaccination, then they are at risk for having contracted rabies via the bite, and thus, they are now considered a risk to all the humans who might come into contact with them . . . for a relatively long and undetermined period of time . . . as rabies has a variable and inexact incubation period. 

 

For pets, if they are not fully up to date on rabies vaccine, and are bit in a rabies endemic area w/ no proof of rabies vaccination on the biter, Animal Control would typically require you to choose between A) euthanasia and decapitation for rabies testing at the state lab or B) quarantine for weeks-to-months. Quarantine rules vary dramatically from place to place. In some places, they may require it to take place at a vet or other professional facility ($$$ and unpleasant for the dog). Other places allow "in home" quarantine with various rules. Whatever the locale, you're looking at hundreds of dollars of expense, minimum. Some locales it can easily be thousands. Some locales it can be quite miserable for the pet/family if the dog must go to a facility for weeks to months of isolation. 

Edited October 17, 2017 by StephanieZ

[Tiramisu]

Nope, it doesn't work that way for pets. The post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) you had costs about $2000-3000+ per person. (Health departments might have given it cheap/free, or your insurance might have covered it, but it costs $$$$ to somebody somewhere.) (Even routine pre-exposure rabies vaccine is about $1000 or more for the series.) There is no PEP for pets.

 

It is actually absolutely illegal (as in license losing illegal) for a vet to administer a rabies vaccine to a dog after a bite. There are very exacting laws on rabies vaccines, due to the high priority on protecting human life and the fatality risk of rabies. No chances are taken with human life . . . the gamble is that they'll kill and/or isolate for long periods hundreds/thousands of dogs to save a single human exposure/death. It's sad but reasonable given the grave risk of rabies . . . Thus, there are very exacting laws on how to treat a dog who has been bitten by another animal that is potentially rabid . . . If the dog/victim has proof of current vaccination, then they can be assumed to be safe . . . but, if no proof of current vaccination, then they are at risk for having contracted rabies via the bite, and thus, they are now considered a risk to all the humans who might come into contact with them . . . for a relatively long and undetermined period of time . . . as rabies has a variable and inexact incubation period.

 

For pets, if they are not fully up to date on rabies vaccine, and are bit in a rabies endemic area w/ no proof of rabies vaccination on the biter, Animal Control would typically require you to choose between A) euthanasia and decapitation for rabies testing at the state lab or B) quarantine for weeks-to-months. Quarantine rules vary dramatically from place to place. In some places, they may require it to take place at a vet or other professional facility ($$$ and unpleasant for the dog). Other places allow "in home" quarantine with various rules. Whatever the locale, you're looking at hundreds of dollars of expense, minimum. Some locales it can easily be thousands. Some locales it can be quite miserable for the pet/family if the dog must go to a facility for weeks to months of isolation.

I'm curious what state you are in.

 

In our state, the only place for humans to get rabies shots is at the ED. There is no health department option. And the series is very expensive without insurance, as you mentioned.

 

I've known several dogs--all of which were vaccinated--who had rabies boosters after an exposure, all at different vets.

 

We live in an area where rabies is relatively common among bats, raccoons, etc.

 

So are you saying these dogs would not have been given shots had they been unvaccinated?

[Pawz4me]

I'm curious what state you are in.

 

In our state, the only place for humans to get rabies shots is at the ED. There is no health department option. And the series is very expensive without insurance, as you mentioned.

 

I've known several dogs--all of which were vaccinated--who had rabies boosters after an exposure, all at different vets.

 

We live in an area where rabies is relatively common among bats, raccoons, etc.

 

So are you saying these dogs would not have been given shots had they been unvaccinated?

 

I *think* what Stephanie meant is that it's illegal for a vet to administer a rabies vaccine to a dog who was exposed to a rabid or suspected-to-be-rabid animal if that dog (1) had never been vaccinated for rabies or (2) was overdue to be re-vaccinated for it.

 

It's standard practice to give a booster to a dog who is current on his rabies vaccination if that dog is suspected of having been exposed to a rabid animal.

 

Here in NC humans can get rabies shots at their regular doctor's office. Or at least that's where my nephew got his after he came into contact with a fox that may have had rabies. I don't know if they're available at most county health departments or not.

Edited October 17, 2017 by Pawz4me

[J-rap]

Well I'm like you and I would only think of the right thing to say after I left the scene.  But, I can't imagine someone not profusely apologizing first, even before they knew what was going on, if they saw their dog viciously attacking another dog.

 

I like the idea of carrying pepper spray or something if that happens again.  That will help take away your anxiety too, in case you encounter that again.

 

And for the record, I have a feeling that even if you tried to say something more, it wouldn't have mattered.

 

:grouphug:

[StephanieZ]

I'm curious what state you are in.

 

In our state, the only place for humans to get rabies shots is at the ED. There is no health department option. And the series is very expensive without insurance, as you mentioned.

 

I've known several dogs--all of which were vaccinated--who had rabies boosters after an exposure, all at different vets.

 

We live in an area where rabies is relatively common among bats, raccoons, etc.

 

So are you saying these dogs would not have been given shots had they been unvaccinated?

 

 l live in WV. My husband (vet) and other employees have gotten the vaccines over the years. Vets get them while in vet school (usually free or cheap, often as test subjects, as dh was, lol), then typically get titres done every so many years, often at vet conferences, and boosted as needed. Dh got one a titre done at his PCP at least once, a number of years ago, and hasn't had to be boosted yet (21 years since entering vet school and getting vaccinated). A number of years ago, we paid for some staff members to get their vaccines, and I believe at that time it was ONLY available through the health department. It was around $1000 per person then (ouch), and that was probably 6-8 years ago. I get the impression it's double that (or more) now.

 

Every locale will have different routines. The shots have gotten more and more expensive over the years, and many health departments won't carry them (too expensive) any more. 

 

I honestly have no idea how it's done in our locality at the moment. All I know is that we send humans to their doctors/ED/health department and let them figure out what to do, as we are NOT in the human health care business. The health department typically is "in charge" of what to do . . . who actually executes the plan is probably variable both by locality and insurance coverage. 

[StephanieZ]

I *think* what Stephanie meant is that it's illegal for a vet to administer a rabies vaccine to a dog who was exposed to a rabid or suspected-to-be-rabid animal if that dog (1) had never been vaccinated for rabies or (2) was overdue to be re-vaccinated for it.

 

It's standard practice to give a booster to a dog who is current on his rabies vaccination if that dog is suspected of having been exposed to a rabid animal.

 

Here in NC humans can get rabies shots at their regular doctor's office. Or at least that's where my nephew got his after he came into contact with a fox that may have had rabies. I don't know if they're available at most county health departments or not.

 

Yup, yup, that's what I was intending to convey. :) Can't vaccinate an unvaccinated and then exposed pet . . .

 

Edited October 17, 2017 by StephanieZ

[gardenmom5]

Well I'm like you and I would only think of the right thing to say after I left the scene.  But, I can't imagine someone not profusely apologizing first, even before they knew what was going on, if they saw their dog viciously attacking another dog.

 

I like the idea of carrying pepper spray or something if that happens again.  That will help take away your anxiety too, in case you encounter that again.

 

And for the record, I have a feeling that even if you tried to say something more, it wouldn't have mattered.

 

:grouphug:

 

I absolutely can imagine someone NOT taking resonsibillity!  this woman started from the position that OP's dog initiated the incident.  My husband was knocked off his bike by a pitbull that was lose and came running out from a side street.  the probably owner was also outside, and denied ownership.  my husband was on a busy street, and we're very grateful he wasn't knocked into traffic.

 

I was at costco getting gas, and I couldn't get around the woman at the forward pump (she was blocking because of how her car was positioned) - so I had to just sit there and wait for her to finish.  she then came running up to me, accusing me of hitting her car.  when I told her "you're blocking me so I can't leave" - she left.  NO apology.eta:

 

eta;  my sil used to dog sit for her friend.  "oh he's very nice".  well, he doesn't bark or bite, I'll give him that much.  but he also stole one of dudeling shoes' and decided to play keep away with it.  all while chewing it up while running around.

Edited October 17, 2017 by gardenmom5

[Tiramisu]

I *think* what Stephanie meant is that it's illegal for a vet to administer a rabies vaccine to a dog who was exposed to a rabid or suspected-to-be-rabid animal if that dog (1) had never been vaccinated for rabies or (2) was overdue to be re-vaccinated for it.

 

It's standard practice to give a booster to a dog who is current on his rabies vaccination if that dog is suspected of having been exposed to a rabid animal.

 

Here in NC humans can get rabies shots at their regular doctor's office. Or at least that's where my nephew got his after he came into contact with a fox that may have had rabies. I don't know if they're available at most county health departments or not.

Thanks for your reply.

 

I never knew about what had to be done in the case of exposure for a completely unvaccinated dog. That's scary. No wonder our service sog organization requires we keep puppies inside or in our yard until they are fully vaccinated.

 

I did see an article that the immunity from vaccines might last longer, but it's never worth risking it.

 

I was told by the health department that the reason the rabies shot is given only at the ED is because it's very expensive but it expires quickly. So in that way, it makes sense to keep it at one place.

 

The local ED charges at a primary care co-pay rate after the first visit with insurance. without insurance, I hate to think what it would cost if it's at an ED.

[ErinE]

Thanks all. He's up to date on his vaccinations, but I'll get his wounds checked out. We have a good sized backyard, he takes daily walks, and I let him run in a green space near our house but he's always loved the dog park and running with other dogs. I had been going in the early morning when there are only a few people there, but this time I took him for a walk first. The park wasn't very crowded, but I got a bad vibe from the aggressive dog and I should have trusted my instincts. I feel terrible that my dog had to pay the price.

[Catwoman]

I'm so sorry about what happened, Erin, but please don't blame yourself. :grouphug:

[Tiramisu]

l live in WV. My husband (vet) and other employees have gotten the vaccines over the years. Vets get them while in vet school (usually free or cheap, often as test subjects, as dh was, lol), then typically get titres done every so many years, often at vet conferences, and boosted as needed. Dh got one a titre done at his PCP at least once, a number of years ago, and hasn't had to be boosted yet (21 years since entering vet school and getting vaccinated). A number of years ago, we paid for some staff members to get their vaccines, and I believe at that time it was ONLY available through the health department. It was around $1000 per person then (ouch), and that was probably 6-8 years ago. I get the impression it's double that (or more) now.

 

Every locale will have different routines. The shots have gotten more and more expensive over the years, and many health departments won't carry them (too expensive) any more.

 

I honestly have no idea how it's done in our locality at the moment. All I know is that we send humans to their doctors/ED/health department and let them figure out what to do, as we are NOT in the human health care business. The health department typically is "in charge" of what to do . . . who actually executes the plan is probably variable both by locality and insurance coverage.

Very interesting. Thanks!

 

I got my shots after my dog got into a fight with a groundhog. I got saliva on me and I didn't know where it came from, my dog or the groundhog. It was chaos and I don't know where the saliva went in terms of my mucous membranes.

 

It was a *lite* exposure with an animal that may not have had rabies but my county health department and my state health department considered me at some risk because rabies is relatively common where I live.

 

It's good to know I might have some long lasting immunity, but I guess the shots I got are different from what vets get.

Edited October 17, 2017 by Tiramisu

[Tiramisu]

Dp

Edited October 17, 2017 by Tiramisu

[klmama]

OP, I hope your dog's wounds check out ok and that there are no emotional problems from the attack.

[ILiveInFlipFlops]

Thank you! I think I'm still not understanding why the PEP can't be applied to dogs? Is it because it's not 100% effective, or because it's just too much hassle and virtually impossible to control all the factors in an animal exposure given their ability to infect so many people/animals if the PEP doesn't work (e.g., the owner brought them in after too much time had passed)?

 

Nope, it doesn't work that way for pets. The post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) you had costs about $2000-3000+ per person. (Health departments might have given it cheap/free, or your insurance might have covered it, but it costs $$$$ to somebody somewhere.) (Even routine pre-exposure rabies vaccine is about $1000 or more for the series.) There is no PEP for pets.

 

It is actually absolutely illegal (as in license losing illegal) for a vet to administer a rabies vaccine to a dog after a bite [ETA: if the dog/victim was not properly vaccinated already]. There are very exacting laws on rabies vaccines, due to the high priority on protecting human life and the fatality risk of rabies. No chances are taken with human life . . . the gamble is that they'll kill and/or isolate for long periods hundreds/thousands of dogs to save a single human exposure/death. It's sad but reasonable given the grave risk of rabies . . . Thus, there are very exacting laws on how to treat a dog who has been bitten by another animal that is potentially rabid . . . If the dog/victim has proof of current vaccination, then they can be assumed to be safe . . . but, if no proof of current vaccination, then they are at risk for having contracted rabies via the bite, and thus, they are now considered a risk to all the humans who might come into contact with them . . . for a relatively long and undetermined period of time . . . as rabies has a variable and inexact incubation period. 

 

For pets, if they are not fully up to date on rabies vaccine, and are bit in a rabies endemic area w/ no proof of rabies vaccination on the biter, Animal Control would typically require you to choose between A) euthanasia and decapitation for rabies testing at the state lab or B) quarantine for weeks-to-months. Quarantine rules vary dramatically from place to place. In some places, they may require it to take place at a vet or other professional facility ($$$ and unpleasant for the dog). Other places allow "in home" quarantine with various rules. Whatever the locale, you're looking at hundreds of dollars of expense, minimum. Some locales it can easily be thousands. Some locales it can be quite miserable for the pet/family if the dog must go to a facility for weeks to months of isolation. 

 

 

Very interesting info, thanks. Here in NJ you can only get the PEP at the ED, and you have to pay close attention to make sure they administer it correctly. They had NO IDEA what the heck to do with us and initially told me I had to call my PCP and DD's ped to get the shots--when that's who told me I had to go to the ED! They also didn't give me the IG shot, and I had to print out info from the Internet to prove to them that I actually needed it when I went in for the second visit. For some reason the peds ED got DD's series right though! It was a mess.

 

It cost us $1500 OOP, but it cost our insurance company something ridiculous like $15K (IIRC--I need to go look up my old thread and see). 

 

ErinE, I'm so glad you won't have to worry about any of this on top of the general trauma of the whole experience :(

[StephanieZ]

Thank you! I think I'm still not understanding why the PEP can't be applied to dogs? Is it because it's not 100% effective, or because it's just too much hassle and virtually impossible to control all the factors in an animal exposure given their ability to infect so many people/animals if the PEP doesn't work (e.g., the owner brought them in after too much time had passed)?

 

 

 

Very interesting info, thanks. Here in NJ you can only get the PEP at the ED, and you have to pay close attention to make sure they administer it correctly. They had NO IDEA what the heck to do with us and initially told me I had to call my PCP and DD's ped to get the shots--when that's who told me I had to go to the ED! They also didn't give me the IG shot, and I had to print out info from the Internet to prove to them that I actually needed it when I went in for the second visit. For some reason the peds ED got DD's series right though! It was a mess.

 

It cost us $1500 OOP, but it cost our insurance company something ridiculous like $15K (IIRC--I need to go look up my old thread and see). 

 

ErinE, I'm so glad you won't have to worry about any of this on top of the general trauma of the whole experience :(

 

OMG, PEP is even more expensive than I'd thought. Insane!!

 

I'm not certain why PEP can't be used for dogs. My guess is that 1) it is crazy expensive and 2) it's not 100% and 3) the protocols just haven't been worked out for animals. 

 

If a dog is so unlucky as to have an owner who is too lazy, stupid, or cheap to get them a $20 rabies vaccine, then I'm thinking it's highly unlikely that dog is lucky enough to have an owner who'd be willing to spend thousands to tens of thousands to do PEP for them. So, presumably, this just isn't an area worthy of research, so it's never been explored. 

 

[ILiveInFlipFlops]

That makes sense. I appreciate the discussion.

 

It's possible that it would have cost more like $2-3K if we'd been cash clients. Once you factor in insurance, everything goes haywire.

[Lizzie in Ma]

Dog parks are dangerous as hell because people are stupid.  I wouldn't take my dog to one under any circumstances.  I find him playdates with friends who have dogs. Our trainer hates them for the same reasons.

I work in liability.  The amount of dog attacks we get in is enormous.  From transcribing the recorded statements of the people involved, it is almost always the owner's cluelessness that enables the incidents.

I don't know what state you are in, but if you need help with the vet bills, I would go after the dog owner's homeowners insurance policy.  We have strict liability in MA.  They always pay.

[wintermom]

Dog parks are dangerous as hell because people are stupid.  I wouldn't take my dog to one under any circumstances.  I find him playdates with friends who have dogs. Our trainer hates them for the same reasons.

I work in liability.  The amount of dog attacks we get in is enormous.  From transcribing the recorded statements of the people involved, it is almost always the owner's cluelessness that enables the incidents.

I don't know what state you are in, but if you need help with the vet bills, I would go after the dog owner's homeowners insurance policy.  We have strict liability in MA.  They always pay.

 

:iagree:   We foster and board dogs from a service dog organization. Their aren't allowed in dog parks with unknown dogs as the risk of being injured is too high (they pay all the vet bills).  

 

It's so much safer to organize playdates with friendly dogs and owners who are paying attention to their dogs. 

Edited October 18, 2017 by wintermom

[ktgrok]

I'm just going to stick up for the OP and the rest of us that do utilize dog parks and say that although they have serious risks, for some of us the benefits outweigh the risks. If my dog doesn't get some HARD exercise in every day, or at least most days, he will end up being put to sleep. End of story. He's a big (can put his paws on my shoulders easily) dog who has a ton of energy. I don't run well enough to run him enough to wear him out. Walks are just a warm up to him. I have only a few friends with dogs and they both live almost an hour away (different directions). We do not have anywhere else he can run off leash other than my medium to small yard, and he, despite our best efforts, does not fetch. 

 

It honestly is the dog park, or death row for this dog. And lest you say "re home him" we were his 7th home at the age of 12 weeks. No one else could handle him either. 

 

But, I do take him when I know it isn't crowded and I know the dogs. A few days a month he goes to doggy daycare, but can't afford that every day. (even they comment on his energy level, lol)

 

In other news, a doggy at doggy daycare invited him to a birthday party on friday. A dog birthday party. I'm not kidding. He gets free daycare that day!

[ILiveInFlipFlops]

I too was thinking that it's sad that the bad apples have to ruin this, because when I lived in NYC, we used the dog parks quite a bit, and my girl loved them. All I had to do was say "dog run," and she'd get all happy and wide-eyed :lol: I'm so grateful that we never had a bad experience (or saw a bad experience) there. It just stinks that people can't be decent humans and pet owners :(

[klmama]

It's not just at dog parks. Our dog has been attacked twice walking on leash in our neighborhood. One dog was tied, but broke free to attack. The lady was apologetic, but he did it to others, too, and I heard she was cited. She moved. The other dog was loose in the garage with the owner and came out to attack as dh and our dog walked by. That owner acted like it was dh's fault. ????? They rent, and I hope they move out soon. We're very careful where we walk now, but our neighborhood is still safer for our wimpy dog than the dog park.

[nixpix5]

We have some great dog parks and have good experiences but one time this unleashed, aggressive husky went for our french bulldog who was leashed. I tried to pick up our dog but the husky had him by the head and he snapped and growled at me. The owner stood there. I mean...stood their watching! Granted he seemed shocked but my husband took his foot and pushed him back and that was when the owner jumped in, afraid my husband was going to kick his dog (he wasn't) but it was surreal. Our little guy had chew marks on his head.

[Janeway]

I am so sorry this happened!!! Yeah, her dog should be expelled from the dog park. I am ticked that she tried to blame the victim when her dog was clearly on top of yours! ugh!

[Butter]

This is precisely why we *don't* take our little 10 pound Jack Russell/chihuahua to the dog park.  Because *she's* the obnoxious aggressor and we know it.  She will attack any dog and many humans, too, given the chance (all while being terrified and shaking in fear).  We can't risk her attacking other dogs.  I'm sorry your dog was attacked and even more sorry that the owner wasn't paying attention and acted like it was your dog's fault.

[ktgrok]

This is precisely why we *don't* take our little 10 pound Jack Russell/chihuahua to the dog park.  Because *she's* the obnoxious aggressor and we know it.  She will attack any dog and many humans, too, given the chance (all while being terrified and shaking in fear).  We can't risk her attacking other dogs.  I'm sorry your dog was attacked and even more sorry that the owner wasn't paying attention and acted like it was your dog's fault.

 

Exactly. I have two dogs. One goes to the park, the other stays home, because although he's a sweet heart he doesn't know how to play and grumps and growls at other dogs if they get in his face, and it isn't fair to others for me to bring him.