Gonzo got mauled!

[bckrazy]

well, not exactly "mauled", but thats how it feels ...

We went to the dog park yesterday, and there were only about 4 dogs there for the first half hour. Gonzo was running through the mud puddles and playing with a Rottie boy and a Pit Bull boy, he was really having fun. Then, a really scummy looking man came in with his Rottie, she was a humungous female - much larger and taller than the male in there. The second she came in she ran up to each dog to challenge them, and snapped at the Pit Bull boy (who was the sweetest dog ever!). >_< right now I was thinking "ok... time to go!", especially since the owner was just sitting on the other side of the park, thinking that his dog was just fine. I went to grab Gonzo's collar, and the Rottie raced over and mounted him. Gonzo growled at her (I don't blame him), and she pinned him down and started biting at his neck and face Gonzo just rolled over and was yelping, then he finally got away from her and ran off, but she was able to pin him down again and continued to bite him!! By now I was just yelling at the man to get his stupid dog! He just yelled her name for a while, then he finally came over and he couldn't even pull her off... he finally had to grab her harness and fling her on the ground and lay on top of her

We took Gonzo to the vet, and he has multiple punctures on his neck and chest and the roof of his mouth got torn up ... all of the white on his chest was bloody, so I definitely thought it would be worse than it is. The vet said the roof of his mouth just bleeds a lot. They didn't want to stitch it up because it will heal within a couple weeks, and its an awkward place to stitch. I'm still SO mad.. that guy was such a complete jerk, he didn't seem shocked or suprised at all by his dog, didn't even say sorry, and he didn't even leave!! He thought his dog was completely justified. Of course, the other people that were in there left after seeing what his dog did, and told me that I should make him pay the vet bills. The pittie people got his license plate number for me. But the ($100) vet bill isn't the worst part about this... I'm just shocked that some one would bring their obviously extremely dominant dog to the dog park, especially when she could do so much damage to any dog if she wanted to. People like this ruin the dog park for everyone!! Needless to say, I will never go to any dog park again unless its with dogs/people that I know and trust

I feel so bad, and so angry, I cant even say.. Gonzo has been on antibiotics and he's only able to eat soft food, which is making him sick he's also been coughing a lot and I know his mouth is uncomfortable. He threw up several times yesterday. I don't know if I should just leave the owner alone, or say something to him.... I just would like to warn everyone, as I know many people here bring their dogs to dog parks Even though the sign outside says "no agressive dogs", that is totally subjective to everyone's own opinion of their dog. There are a lot of stupid people out there

[animal_rescue]

Get Well Gonzo!
grr I hope he pays for it!

[Giselle]

OMG GONZO!!!! Omg you poor poor baby. You should definitely report this. I keep forgetting where you live, but that's definitely a breach of dog park rules. Furthermore, his dog can be labeled dog aggressive, and I really think you should take his license number and take pictures of all the wounds. Take it to the animal control place and tell them what happened. I hope you can label the dog dangerous and vicious. If I remember correctly, if the dog is labeled dangerous and vicious, they're required to muzzle the dog at all times in public. I just saw the episode of SF Animal Cops and they had a similar situation. Two rotties (poor breed-they and pits are getting a really bad rep) escaped through a fence and killed two guinea pigs and a chihuahua. Oh, I'm so sorry. I can't tell you how sorry I am.

BTW, you might want to call a dog behaviorist and ask about that Alpha roll thing. I know a lot of people are against for some reason or another. You could bring up the Alpha roll when talking to the animal control officers and possibly hint out that the Rottie's owner is incompetant and should be banned from dog ownership. Good Luck. I'm so sorry once again.

[Cinder & Smoke]

OUWCH!!
Poor Gonzo!!

I would suggest you Immediately contact the Group or Office that
"manages" the Dog Park and formally REPORT the incident.

Let THEM advise you what your options are.
Hopefully, the Park Manager will take steps to insure that
Rottie owner and his nasty dog do not return.

Get Well Soon, Gonzo!!
..

[KYS]

Poor Gonzo,

I agree, and think you should report the incident.
It should be on record incase this happens again to someone else.

[caseysmom]

Oh my gosh I am so sorry Gonzo went through that he is so sweet. I am glad you or gonzo weren't hurt any more than that, it could have been a dangerous situation for you too. Was this at phoenix?

I was thinking of taking bubba there for the first time today...can you imagine...that dog could have killed him with one bite....

[Karen]

Absolutely report it. Include the vet's bill - which should have a write-up of his injuries, and any pictures you can get of poor Gonzo's injuries. This man should be banned from the Dog Park, which is NOT going to happen if no one reports the abuse! And as a plus, he should be made to pay your vet bill, but that is secondary to ensuring that this never happens again.

Poor Gonzo! Give him a snuggle and a tummy rub for me, and then another snuggle and tell him he did the right thing. Poor Gonzo, and poor you!

[bckrazy]

thanks for the support everybody ^_^ I've been too mad to even think about what to do about the owner... this is the worst thing ever, to see and to go through, and I definitely do not want that stupid guy to do this to another innocent dog again. I know two of the people who help maintain the park, Gonzo plays with their Border Collies all the time and I know they'll be very mad about this.. I will e-mail them tomorrow. I hope animal control will take this seriously, I'll try to call them tomorrow.

thanks Giselle!! you've really helped. that rottie was obviously horribly bred, not anywhere near the standard, and not like the typical sweet rotties I've met. she could've been mixed with mastiff, she was so huge! I don't know if animal control will count this as dangerous and vicious, I know for sure the dog is very Alpha and does not belong at the dog park, though. He really couldn't control his dog, I was wary of him from the start because the dog literally was dragging him across the parking lot . I'm really afraid that Gonzo will develop fear agression towards other dogs... I really dont know how he'll react to all of this..

thanks Caseysmom. yea, it was pheonix!! I'm so bummed, because I love that park and I know SO many people that go there, but I couldnt go there again without worrying about dogs I don't know. This dog was completely out of control, I have no idea what gave the guy the idea to bring her there! I'm also glad you didn't bring little Bubba! Gonzo seems ok, he is moping around a lot and acting depressed. what totally breaks my heart is that he has a puncture on his nose that he keeps pawing and it keeps bleeding. his poor little nose

[caseysmom]

Yeah there was a basenji named tulle that always went after casey...not that bad but just sort of bullied her and it changed her whole experience at the dog park. Casey has a lot more baggage than gonzo, I am sure he'll be okay.

We took the dogs to carmel last week, the kids were off and they have an off leash beach and the dogs had a blast....casey played pretty well ...she loves the beach...I wish we had one closer to us.

[Karen]

Maybe time for the "lampshade look" (one of those big collars) so he cannot paw at his nose. Poor baby!

[bckrazy]

Originally posted by Karen
Maybe time for the "lampshade look" (one of those big collars) so he cannot paw at his nose. Poor baby!

I know.. he hates those, that was going to be the last resort. He has been a lot better today, its starting to scab up finally.

I just got pictures of the wounds... SO hard to get a clear view of punctures under all of his fur . here's his booboo nose, it looks so much better now that it isnt bleeding, but it still breaks my heart to see him like this



"no mooore... I'm a sick, injured doggy!"

[Oggyflute]

Yeah, go get him. He's an irresponsible idiot. Hope Gonzo gets better real soon.

[Giselle]

Awww, Gonzo Look at him! He's so cute- wounds and all. I hope you report the incident

[schteve_d]

That's aweful! I hope that Gonzo recovers quickly, and that he doesn't suffer any lasting impression from this, or you for that matter! It's so unfortunate how vastly one idiot can wreck things for so many. Absolutely go after the owner for the vet bill. As bad as it was, it sure could have been worse by the sounds of it. Hope Gonzo, and you, get over this quickly.

[Vette]

Oh poor Gonzo. sorry that had to happen to you and your pooch. all paws and fingers are crossed that he has a speedy recovery.

id easily take this to court if he dosnt pay for the vet bills. theres wittens that know your dog is as aggresive as a deer mouse,, and seen that he didnt start the fight.