56 Because of that, the only way it can be changed is by another vote of the people, and that isn't likely to happen, because the majority of voters in Palo Alto support the leash law. Leash laws are more common and dogs aren't allowed in many hiking/walking areas, compared to the past. If only people who reported every single violation to the police, then nothing would ever get reported at all. This story makes no sense given the liability issues. what purpose has been served? In this case, the owners need to do all they can, including considering the possibility of putting the dog in a home where it cannot terrorize people or pets. Dogs are supposed to be domesticated to serve us, not for us to serve them. All rights reserved. American dog culture now treats dogs like super-precious children. "To this day, my dog will do everything in her power to avoid walking in front of that house.". And we don't allow people to poo on the street why should pets be allowed? I wish it was easier to identify and report dogs and owners who are overly "friendly" and clueless that scaring a child is a form of trauma and there is no reason dogs should be allowed to be offensive in ways that are illegal in people. I"m sorry. A lot of dog owners have no idea how to manage a dog well. Last week I was walking down the street with my docile cocker spaniel when a dog from across the street escaped and attacked my dog. With any breed, even the most typically friendly and calm breeds, an individual dog can have issues due to genetics or random factors or to upbringing. That seems to be the case here. ALWAYS walk with one of these. They received a citation for having loose dogs, said Cody Macartney, Palo Alto animal-control supervisor. They can be on leash on the sidewalk or anywhere else. Sponsored content They should be regarded as employees, not family members. We did with same-sex marriage. People put their identifying photos with their pets on the web. In a May 2011 California Court of Appeal decision, Kimes vs. Grosser, the court held that an owner can recover the costs of treatment and care for a pet that's been harmed if the costs are reasonable and necessary. The bottom line is that every park in Palo Alto has become an off leash dog park. What kind of idiot allows a dog off-leash near a preschool area? seems that everyone in Palo Alto seems to think that it is perfectly fine to have dogs that bark constantly when the owners are gone. Your dog is not a person. both barking dogs and gas blowers are nothing but a nuisance and pain to be around. It is frustrating for folks who walk their dogs on leash, to get exercise and enjoy a walk with folks that allow their dogs to walk off leash for their own selfish reasons. And they make collars that give electric shocks when a dog passes an invisible boundary (that is linked to the shock collar). News Given that there is little or no sense of personal responsibility (or shame) among these dog owners, perhaps a bit of well publicized police enforcement in local parks would be nice. Web Link. Sign up for the Peninsula Foodist newsletter. We would take our dogs offleash, meet other dogs, take them to parks to throw balls, sticks. When my daughter was three years old, a large dog ran at her full speed from across Mitchell Park into the preschool playground area. And no, I'm not at all interested in responding to however you want to justify your inflammatory comments. I'll have no mercy of ill feelings towards promptly dispatching the attacking animal. They were parents house-sitting for a neighbor. All residents within earshot benefit from the noise ordinance action. California has "strict liability" laws; pet owners are responsible for nearly all injuries, except in cases in which the victim is a trespasser, provokes the dog or is a veterinarian treating the animal. It is definitely not for the dog. I think it's great that the owners are taking this seriously and hiring a trainer, but what about installing a higher fence so the dog can't escape? I love dogs but if they can't be controlled (or should I say, the owners aren't controlled) they shouldn't be there. Let us not be asked to behave as if they are someone's children. He also sent them a "dangerous dog" warning letter. I finally managed to corral both of my dogs (the Golden had joined in the chase for a block or so) and seek out the little dog and his owner. "The force was so great that I fell on the ground," Kwoh recalled. Too many dog owners have no idea how to control their dogs whether they are on the leash or not. People follow the rules they like and often ignore those they don't. Slow Down, do you call the police when a gardener is using a gas leaf blower? The attacking dog drew blood in one of those instances. There were 2 sometimes vicious dogs in my home neighborhood, and the police were never called. Things have changed quite a bit. A&E As for the other dog, the owners took the past incidents very seriously, including hiring a specialist dog trainer and switching to a special collar whenever outside. Redwood City Pulse, 2022 Palo Alto Online I have complained numerous times to animal control but gave up since nothing seems to change. Unless you obey every law, ordinance and regulation, each and every time, with no exception, calling the police on unleashed dogs is hypocritical. This is another reason why dogs should not be off leash at parks. This is where the real danger to other humans is. I agree with the post above about dogs in parks. They've always run away VERY quickly after they regained muscle control. The cops are always saying that they need more eyes and ears. It's been 20 years since that fateful day with my Shepherd, and I still remember it like yesterday, even though everyone turned out OK in the end. It's interesting and unfortunate that the first attack wasn't reported. Who do you think you are, top dog cop? Sadly, the aggressive dog in this story will probably eventually need to be put down because the owner did not put the time and energy into properly training the dog. I have personally witnessed people I know go berserk when they see an off leash dog in the park, far away from anyone else. People always loved their dogs but recently they are treated like children. All dogs bite. If you don't like the laws then change them (or go to a dog park that matter), but as long as they are the law don't be personally offended when others kindly request you to behave in a civilized and honorable manner. Outrageous to say this: you don't know the dogs, or the situation other than by taking on faith what some people are saying. End of story! Your knowledge of dogs is so spectacularly and shockingly poor, or rather non existent, I wouldn't even know where to begin to address your ignorance, so i won't. It seems pretty much any park in Palo Alto has turned into a dog park. But if you need one go ahead, have them, they are forever dependent on you, not questioning you at all (this feature seems to be part of the attraction of pets). Humans and dogs have been inseparable for the last 20,000 years or more. "I often see the dog owner taking his aggressive dogs for a walk on Dana Avenue. Would people say that someone with clear mental illness should be allowed to roam the streets because they are being conditioned by their illness and therefore acting on impulse? I don't care how important your dog is to you, it does not have human rights superior to the right of my young child to walk the street without fear of assault. Howard, no one said it's a breed problem. I have seen 2 dogs fight with each other at Johnson Park and end up pushing down a small child and biting each other while on top of her. "The owners did not return a request for comment from this newspaper on what further precautions they plan to take." American dog culture now treats dogs like super-precious children. @Disgusted - why is it inflammatory to suggest putting down a vicious dog? For the last 2 years I have been walking my dog with a tazer due to some close calls. It is your legal right to do so, in this state anyway. Although emotionally rehabbing an abused dog and always maintaining a position of superiority in the pack are jobs for the people, beating on a dog or otherwise escalating aggressive energy is not helpful. created these laws to protect both people and other dogs (I have seen plenty of dog owners have their dogs accosted in parks by unleashed dogs and this is clearly against their desire). @Howard Hoffman - dog parks are great, but not a solution to poorly trained poorly behaved dogs and poorly trained poorly behaved dog owners. One minute you are peacefully walking, and the next, your cherished dog is screaming and being attacked viciously," she said. The cops can't be everywhere all the time. The other day, a lab ran at one of my on-leash dogs. I don't advocate euthanasia but I do think there should be some real penalties for owners that don't care enough to watch their dogs more closely. If the owners are concerned, why haven't they installed a taller fence? Labradoodles have now been around long enough for there to be some problems showing up. "Until it happens to you, it is hard to understand how very traumatic the experience is. It might be banned from the city (and thus would become another community's problem) or euthanized, Macartney said. My dad's dog was okay but my dad's hand was badly bitten and the skin torn off between his thumb and index finger. PR MediaRelease At least one resident now regrets she did not file a report on the attacks on her dog, who then needed veterinary care.Margo Baeth said her dog was targeted twice within six months in 2013 by the labradoodles. I bow my head humbly in the face of such greatness and information you possess (so you say), but I will still demand that dogs be leashed so that I can walk unbothered, not be beaten, jumped on and have a picnic on grass that is not dirty by dog feces or urine. Contact Us The facility my dad lives in said they couldn't do anything because nobody else had reported the dog as a problem (although many knew of the issue). Fortunately I was the only one that was injured with minor scratches to my hand. Finally, folks are beginning to take some steps to hold dog owners responsible for their dogs. Something really weird going on. There is no reason to walk your dog on a busy street, while other big dogs are walking ON LEASH and are threatened by the dogs who are off leash. @mauricio, gas-powered leaf blowers ARE legal in Palo Alto, in non-residential zones, but only M-F 8 am to 6 pm, and Saturday 10 am 4 pm. "Hyun-Sook Park, another neighborhood resident, is more fearful of dogs since her own labradoodle, Sunny, was attacked by one of the Hamilton Avenue dogs while walking at Duveneck Elementary School, she said. Please report all aggressive dogs to Palo Alto Animal Services. That way, all dogs and their families have access to a contained dog area where their pooches can run free, no one has an excuse to unleash their dogs in parks or school playgrounds and undesirable, potentially unpleasant dog-human encounters can be brought to a minimum. An independent hearing officer decides an animal's fate. In the past few years, at least one of the two labradoodles at this residence has attacked two other pets in the neighborhood, and both canine victims required veterinary care, their owners said. A small percentage will actually yell at your and go on the offensive. Never walk your dog without one. where these type of behavior can be avoided from pets.Pets will be more friendly and polite to others. The whole point of taking them to a park or playing field is to allow them to run and socialize. Kwoh, however, knowing what happened with Baeth's dog, did file a report with Animal Services. Owners refer to them as boys and girls, and one woman referred to her dog as "my baby." Flexi-Leashes let dogs know they are far beyond the control of their walker, and the dogs aren't taught to be respectful of other humans. Resident - there are more people than there used to be and many of them are dog owners. "This is a difficult situation to understand and I don't know the right solution. Your contribution matters. People don't expect their dogs to act like subjugated animals, but that's what dogs should be. Don't miss out on the discussion! Here's one example, there are a lot more like it, some less than 10 bucks! as you know, everyone here can afford to have their own and would like nothing better than provide another nuisance for the neighbors. I had an aggressive dog (never bit anyone but we never let her off leash outside the yard), and was told that prong collars can make them more aggressive because they may mistakenly think that the pain is caused by the other dog. Special Pubs If you want to lie down with the dogs, I won't stop you. Some gardener may be illegally using a gas-powered leaf blower before the permitted hours. Even if it is properly socialized, just like there are individual people who develop bad behavior, a dog can turn out to have bad behavior. This is not how the world works. I'm all for the leash lawsand I'd like to see them enforced. While the writer may not have known this, it is unfortunate the article related the events in such a colorful manner so as to vilify both dogs. But Baeth said she now questions not filing a report. They are very inexpensive(under 20.00 for some)and offer the best legal protection against a dog. Blogs In most cases, a pet's aggression is not a criminal matter unless a person is seriously injured or killed or the owner knew the animal was dangerous but negligently allowed it to be in contact with persons visiting the home. Mountain View Voice All of these can turn a docile dog vicious. Thanks. One person calls it in to the police who has a word with the gardener. it's sad, but these drones are going to become a real problem and danger issue--not just for Palo Alto, but for everyone. I immediately gave them our vet's info and told them to charge all of their dog's medical to our account. TheSixFifty.com obviously, the owner doesn't hear them bark and think that their little "baby" is an angel when they arrive home to a wagging tail. Home & Real Estate Pets were getting loose all over town on a daily basis back then. Take your dog off leash to the park or somewhere safe. Gas blowers are not merely annoying. The smaller one is geriatric and simply uninterested in other dogs. It is not OK to have a vicious, biting dog in public! One minute you are peacefully walking, and the next, your cherished dog is screaming and being attacked viciously," she said. It's just that inflicting your potentially dangerous choice on others is wrong. It is never OK for a dog to get loose and attack people or pets. These are laws (not "rules") and the slippery slope of ignoring laws we "don't like" might as well extend to people who don't like laws against drunk driving (and thus justify driving drunk). I take my kids now only after confirming that there are no unleashed dogs. It is the responsible course if you have gotten ourself into a situation you can't handle. Off- or on-leash, it simply doesn't care about other dogs. 2022 Palo Alto Online. I don't care how "friendly" you think your dog is, a dog racing toward a child or another dog is scary and a potentially dangerous situation, and YOU are liable for any damages. The court also held that punitive damages were recoverable when the injury was willful or caused by gross negligence.The plaintiff in that case sought to recover $6,000 for emergency surgery and $30,000 for care after his cat was attacked.Macartney said that although the responsibility for preventing dog attacks falls mainly on the dog's owner, everyone should remain vigilant and always keep a dog on a leash.Citronella-based spray can scare off dogs when they attack, but pepper spray and mace don't work, he said.The best thing to do if attacked is to fight back: yelling loud in a deep voice; poking the dog's eyes; hitting the nose, the rear or any sensitive area; or pulling up the dog's back legs and doing anything to disrupt the dog's focus.But "never run -- and always keep your eyes on the dog," he said. Terms of Use I'll never know what the chemistry was that day between my dogs and that little dog, but it was just weird. I don't know what excuses these owners have.Having a dog trainer's input is not enough.Some dogs, like people, have hard wired mental conditions and no amount of training, medication or therapy will make them fit to live amongst others. And the costs can be considerable.Pets are considered personal property in California. Community Calendar Both owners in the story clearly care about their pets and one side may need to take more action to avoid recurring incidents. "Muffin, luckily, did not receive any puncture wounds, Kwoh said. Hyun-Sook Park, another neighborhood resident, is more fearful of dogs since her own labradoodle, Sunny, was attacked by one of the Hamilton Avenue dogs while walking at Duveneck Elementary School, she said. Uploaded: Fri, Jul 31, 2015, 7:55 am Cat lovers write about their "kittycat." Web Link. Many folks are clueless about disciplining and working with dogs. Many years ago we had a beautiful, wonderful, well trained German Shepherd who was so submissive with other dogs it was actually a little embarrassing at times. Oh, yes, a public park is a piece of public property whose usage is determined by the government, for the benefit of the general public. One of my dogs (a very well-trained sweet submissive female) was attacked at two different times by off-leash dogs--once at Cubberley and once at Mitchell Park. The City of PA is working on more and better dog parks. And the costs can be considerable. Like the stories here, the owners of the vicious dog were worried we would sue and so apologized after the attack. It evolves minimally throughout its years and with some exceptions is totally parasitistic all its life. Absolutely, my dog did not provoke the other dog. I grew up with 3 Saint Bernards (a mother and two daughters) whom I adored and they were saints. Macartney said that although the responsibility for preventing dog attacks falls mainly on the dog's owner, everyone should remain vigilant and always keep a dog on a leash. Dogs are not entitled to roam freely on public property, just as you are not allowed to drive 100mph in front of a school. All rights reserved. If the city cared about really getting rid off leaf blowers, and fining homeowners for their use, I'd be all for it. They are neither indispensable nor do they provide significant services. However, one of the rights I have in this country is to speak up. @Parent: Just to add to what you said about the purpose of the leash laws. In a May 2011 California Court of Appeal decision, Kimes vs. Grosser, the court held that an owner can recover the costs of treatment and care for a pet that's been harmed if the costs are reasonable and necessary. And the repeat offenses are illustrative of how some aggressive animals can slip through the cracks in Palo Alto. It should be raised to $1000 for repeat offenders for the simple reason that, IMHO, the majority of the off-leash dogs in our parks are there every day and their owners are not ignorant of the law. You may let your dog sleep with you, lick your face, and eat off your plates, but many others do not want dogs running up to them, jumping on them, or worse. The same people let their gardeners violate city laws and damage their neighbors health, drive dangerously in complete disregard for the lives of others, basically being narcissists. Human beings are capable of discerning and sentient reasoning and controlling one's impulses is the bill for having free will. It was a terrifying experience for both of us. People feel so free to be critical of children's behavior but we aren't allowed to be critical of dog behavior? The Shepherd chased this poor little dog for 4-5 blocks and bit it once during the chase. 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