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I was shocked to read the little plaque placed in the Englewood dog park by a grieving owner. On October 30th, a very small, perhaps even smaller than my small dog, an ADA disability helper dog named Cricket was killed by another dog. I searched on the net for confirmation of the story, finally finding it in the heartrending posting of pictures of Cricket both before and after the attack on Flickr.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/10834162@N03/ |
The dog in question was only described as having been just rescued from a dog pound. One wonders if its aggressive behavior was learned in the pound or it was placed in the pound because of its aggressive behavior. Still, I was dumfounded. As a dog person, I had, quite apparently naively, believed that dogs (unless they were pit bulls trained to fight) never killed each other and always worked things out in the end. It turns out that this may be true in packs of wild canines but in dog parks, they attempt to work out a pack structure with often violent results. I also had always figured that the dogs would regard a dog park as neutral territory, not to be fought over. Again this was probably uninformed. In researching the subject, I found out that there had been a number of fatal dog on dog attacks all over the country. While the numbers were small, I began to wonder, as the author of one site suggested, whether the entire concept of dog parks was ill-conceived.
One site was headlined by a dog on dog attack death at Tampa Florida dog park
http://susanbanghart.com/themuttreport/2010/02/27/dog-dies-at-tampa-dog-park/
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In addition to the dog death in Tampa there were reports of dog deaths in New York, Oregon and elsewhere in Florida. In one case the killer dog was a standard poodle.
Another site simply made the statement "Dog Parks: Why They are a Bad Idea"
http://leerburg.com/dogparks.htm
The author suggests that a dog owner take a walking stick and/or can of pepper spray to a dog park. He states that the dog, being a pack animal, looks to its owner for protection. It is up to the owner to protect a dog in a dog park. Of course, dogs are a great deal faster and quicker than humans and this is not always possible. The post included information on other fatal dog on dog attacks in dog parks in Rhode Island, Texas, Maryland and other locales. The breeds involved varied from fighting dogs that one might assume might be involved in attacks, i.e., a pit bull terrier mix and a Rottweiler that killed a dashound to a ridgeback and, most puzzlingly a greyhound that killed a smaller dog.
The dog park in Plano Texas, where one dog death occurred, had actually followed another of the author's pieces of advice, that being to have two parks, one for larger dogs and one for smaller animals. In this case a small dog entered a big dog area, but it was also pointed out that in order to enter the small dog park you had to go through the big dog park. A second entrance was added. Funny to think that in this case Denver is less progressive than Texas. The Englewood dog park in question located at the northern end of Belleview Park, does not segregate dogs by size.
I talked with Christine McClintock, Cricket's owner about Cricket. She still continues to be as devastated as any of us might believe. She is disabled and Cricket was trained for 9 years as an ADA dog. When he noticed other dogs fighting he would try to break it up. In this case, however, the other dog hit him so quick he never saw it coming. If you want to sign a condolence card for Cricket that is at http://www.Colorado_Hummingbird.com. Christine has received condolences from around the world. Cricket was actually a fairly famous dog, to the point of even being included in Children's stories. Christine also told me she had heard from a woman whose dog had been killed in Cherry Creek Dog Park in the City of Denver.
In Cricket's case, he was clearly a very small dog, not unlike mine. As a result I will not be taking my dog to a dog park again anytime soon.
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Comments
This story is so very sad. Yes there was a dog attack I think in either Newport or Providence RI. The dog park in Warwick however has separate areas for dog by the lb. Purhaps something like that could keep anything like this from happening again. Best of luck with Cricket's Law.
Thank-you Megan for your support.
It's too bad that logical precautions like separate parks with separate entrances for the large and the small dogs are not taken until a precious little one is killed. Cricket's Law should be a no-brainer in EVERY community.
Thank-you KEM58. You are so right. It is sad that it takes the loss of life to change things. You support is greatly needed.
Richard, while the individual instances of dog on dog death is heartbreaking, in at least one of the stories mentioned, the smaller dog apparently had it's neck accidentally broken while playing with a group of bigger dogs.
And in at least one other incident, there is a high probability that the attacking dog may have thought he was attacking a cat (my apologies to cat owners everywhere).
But what goes completely unmentioned in your story, is how Cricket was dressed-up in a bright yellow with black stripes costume, with a pair of bright yellow antennae hanging over his head.
The fact that "the other dog hit him so quick he never saw it coming," tell me, at least, that there is a better than even chance that the other dog thought it was attacking some unidentified - but possibly very dangerous - small animal.
Are we really expecting dogs to 'think out' their aggressive behavior, when we present them with a scenario that's completely beyond their experience - and one that's bound to set the hair up on the back of their necks.
I'm sorry, but this is too much like trolling with your pet goldfish, and then wondering why it got 'hit' by a steelhead - but my sincerest condolences to Cricket.
I wish to thank the many condolences I received from around the world. Cricket was very well know as he was featured in many stories to the delight of all. Artwork featuring this exceptional service dog is found on cards and on websites.
I have asked myself the question, was it the costume that killed Cricket, Scotsman Hosie? Your inquiry is not without some merit, except the dog in question attacked two other dogs before it got to Cricket. He got away from his owner in both leash and collar when he tried to restrain and stop the attacks on the other large dogs. So, beings as I was there. I saw a vicious animal with a temperament not appropriate, or legal for a dog park. In fact the shear 'savage' of the attack and that is using the words of the vicious dog's owner, conveys the reality for Cricket's violent death. It could have been a small child.
Now dogs know dogs. They often smell each other in their greeting rituals comically at both ends.The other dog was completely out of control and a threat to ALL at the park that October 30th, 2010. He has since been destroyed. His owner has been investigated and a citation for having a Vicious Dog was issued. They do not pass those out like candy sir. They are serious charges.
I feel that we the people of Colorado need to adopt a more user friendly set-up to our dog parks. They are social places for adults and animal lovers who meet to see each other. They are healthy places for dogs to run and socialize as well. In several areas of our country they have separated areas for dogs under 40 lbs and for dogs over 40 lbs. This would be a good idea in the State of Colorado. All dogs should be safe and all owners should be safe with their pets in parks in our beautiful state.
I will work to inact such a change in Cricket's name. Grassroot work will be necessary, and people will have to be educated. I am confident that this can become a reality for Colorado.
Losing a dog like Cricket in this world is huge. He had hundreds and hundreds of people who loved and admired him. This was a s tragic as it can get. I have only been to one dog park with my sons lab here in Florida and it was divided with two seperate entrances for small and large dogs. It only made sense to me they would all be like that! You cannot trust large dogs with very small dogs when they have never met, you just never know and the results are deadly in a second. There should be a law, Cricket's Law, he would be well deserved to have it named for him. The law should require every dog park there to be divided. To me it is common sense so that nothing like this ever happens again. This is heartbreaking to more people than you can even imagine, this dog was so special.
Thank-you Kaye,
Your words are encouraging. I appreciate you support. I have had tremendous support from friends and family and from people around the world and the United States. We need to pull together to make a change.
I agree with all the other comments as to having Cricket's law, we need to know we can be protected on a day out with our dogs and not have a simple moment of joy be ruined in a tragedy like what happened to Cricket. But along with a law, everyone needs to be more aware of their dog and its behavior be more responsible for their pets in public situations with people and other dogs. If you know your dog, and you know it listens to you, you shouldn't have a problem. I myself have a dog that does not behave well with other dogs. I know this and would never take him into a situation where something terrible could happen. I don't honestly believe he would attack or kill another dog, but why would I take the risk? It scares me to think people can be so foolish as to take a dog into this kind of situation when it clearly had behavioral problems.
I truly believe we can have this law, let us all spread the word so we can make this change!
Thank-you so much Lori. I agree totally with you.
I agree there should be a CRICKET'S LAW to have dog park safety areas that are required for large and small dogs If people don't follow the rules, there should be legal enforcement and prosecution. Cricket's tragic death was beyond horrific and he will be missed by many many people. His life MATTERED in a bigger scope then people may be able to fully realize. May God BLESS Christine as she heals from this tragedy.
You are invited to take this link to a tribute to Cricket on Youtub:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOQ_A5vkhM0
I have not received information on the status of the case against the other dog owner. It would be unthinkable that the case would be dismissed. I will call the D.A. tomorrow to find out what the status is. In the meantime. Please enjoy this look back at the exceptional dog, Cricket was.
Anytime I hear about a dog being killed at a dog park I'm instantly stricken with grief because just a few days ago my 5 pound yorkie was killed at our dog park. My whole family has been grieving for the loss of a family member, who had been with us for seven years. I now think dog parks are a HORRIBLE idea for small dogs. No one should ever have to witness their dog being killed right in front of them. Cricket looks like a wonderful dog and I feel for the owner
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