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Dog eats dog: Leash laws and doggy dust-ups
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On the afternoon of October 7 witnesses called police to report a vicious attack by a German shepherd upon a cocker spaniel at Washington Square Park. Every day in San Francisco dog eats dog; or rather big dog jumps on little dog, or little dog bites and hangs on from the big dog's ear or someone (whose dog is always good) feels that another dog owner is irresponsible for the incident.
When is a doggy dust-up no big whoop and when is it serious enough to involve law enforcement or animal control? What leash rules apply? In the case of a serious injury requiring veterinary treatment, who pays the bill?
According to Dana Smith of the San Francisco SPCA dogs are required by law to be on leash except for designated off leash dog areas, which could include certain areas of parks specifically designated for off leash or within fenced dog parks. Also, San Francisco dogs must be licensed and those licenses must be renewed.
"In ideal situations the owners would exchange (contact) information," said Smith, adding, "If both dogs were off leash and it was an altercation (both dogs fighting) each owner should exchange vet information to make sure both dogs are updated on vaccinations."
Often serious injuries aren't discovered for hours or even days after the altercation. I can remember one lightening quick dog fight in my driveway that seemed really minor until the next day. When I casually scratched my dog behind his ear I discovered a bloody mud puddle. In less time than it took to say "STOP THAT!" my dog had his own Tyson moment, losing a bite-sized piece from one of his floppy ears. That trip to the vet cost $400 of which my neighbor offered to pay half. Some dogs start it and then wear the scars when the other dog finishes. My little dog has been tossed like a chew toy by a big dog or two, yet he still charges into any group of dogs, yapping.
In San Francisco if a dog bites another dog or person and breaks skin the dog needs to reported and quarantined for 10 days of rabies observation, which is a state law. It is important to contact San Francisco Animal Care and Control about any dog attack because any dog with a pattern of attacking or biting is an accident waiting to happen.
The dog attack at Washington Square Park is just one of hundreds of such police reports taken every year in San Francisco. That alleged bad dog was a German shepherd known as Dandelion, last seen wearing a red bandanna. Of course, every story has two sides. That's why SFPD would like to locate the dog and its owner to complete their investigation.
If you have information on this case you can reach the San Francisco Police Force at 415-553-0123, online at www.sfgov.org or call the anonymous tip line at 415-392-2623. San Francisco Animal Care and Control can be reached at 415-544-6364.
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