Mueller Lake Park Outdoor Amphitheater
Needed: Plan Of Action For Aggressive Dogs
RECEIVED Fri., March 25, 2011
Dear Editor,
The Town Lake Animal Center needs to have a plan of action for when aggressive dogs attack another dog in the walking area. I was there on March 19 when a customer carelessly unleashed a large, aggressive dog before it was safely back in its own pen.
The dog immediately ran over and attacked another loose dog as it was bound to do. Customers stood around helplessly as the savage attack continued for a few minutes until I ran over to try and help. Thankfully, with the help of a staff member, we were able to tear the dogs apart after a few more minutes. My leg was bitten in the process. As I was washing up, another fight broke out. I saw a man trying to wrestle two dogs apart, so I ran over to assist in that fight as well. This attack was so savage that at one point I thought the other dog had actually died there on the ground. We were able to break this up just in time.
I was so appalled to find no plan of action and a failed system there where tragedy is inevitable. Staff members are indistinguishable from customers because some wear no uniform. Young children are allowed to walk dogs too large for their control.
Please be more responsible before a child is mauled next time. You owe it to the public and these animals.
The Town Lake Animal Center needs to have a plan of action for when aggressive dogs attack another dog in the walking area. I was there on March 19 when a customer carelessly unleashed a large, aggressive dog before it was safely back in its own pen.
The dog immediately ran over and attacked another loose dog as it was bound to do. Customers stood around helplessly as the savage attack continued for a few minutes until I ran over to try and help. Thankfully, with the help of a staff member, we were able to tear the dogs apart after a few more minutes. My leg was bitten in the process. As I was washing up, another fight broke out. I saw a man trying to wrestle two dogs apart, so I ran over to assist in that fight as well. This attack was so savage that at one point I thought the other dog had actually died there on the ground. We were able to break this up just in time.
I was so appalled to find no plan of action and a failed system there where tragedy is inevitable. Staff members are indistinguishable from customers because some wear no uniform. Young children are allowed to walk dogs too large for their control.
Please be more responsible before a child is mauled next time. You owe it to the public and these animals.
David Gutierrez
[Editor's note: For more on Austin's animal-welfare community, see “The Unflinching Abigail Smith,” News, March 25.]
