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COMPANION ANIMALS Large dog kills small dog at Ashland Dog Park German Shepherd attacked small dog in smaller enclosure at dog park on Sunday Comment By John Darling For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By John Darling For the Tidings Posted Sep. 15, 2015 at 8:41 PM Updated Sep 15, 2015 at 8:42 PM By John Darling For the Tidings Posted Sep. 15, 2015 at 8:41 PM Updated Sep 15, 2015 at 8:42 PM » Social News Visitors at the Ashland Dog Park were horrified to see a German Shepherd attack and kill a small dog in the smaller fenced area on Sunday morning. Regulars at the dog park said dogs can be frisky and barky, often getting in tussles, but nothing like this has happened in recent memory. No laws were broken and the police were not called, said Ashland Police Chief Tighe O’Meara, noting that their investigation is continuing and names of the two dog owners were therefore not released. “It was very traumatic to the 15 or 20 people there,” said witness Dale Luciano. “I’m taking a few days off from the dog park to process this.” Dog owners seem to think the smaller fenced area on the east side of the park is for small dogs, and Michael Black, city Parks & Recreation director, said that’s why it was built, but there are no signs saying it’s for small dogs. “If your dog needs the smaller area to get used to other dogs, fine, but that’s not why it was built,” Black said. “Smaller dogs are just smaller. Owners of small dogs are more comfortable in there, not being trampled by larger dogs.” A long thread on Ashland Peeps started with this posting by Samantha Smith: “Today my sister’s small dog was killed at the dog park, while on the small dog side, by a huge dog in a very horrific way. This is absolutely not ok, this owner could have prevented this by keeping their dog on the correct side. PLEASE, if you have a large dog, don't put them in the small dog side. And if your dog is aggressive please don't bring them to the dog park at all. This is just outrageous that this happened.” The posting was followed by many comments complaining about aggressive dogs at the park and owners not controlling dogs or watching them closely. Black said his staff is investigating to find if the offending dog is aggressive and, if so, to ban it from the park. The rules posted at the park gate say aggressive dogs cannot be let off leash, he adds. However, he says "more education of park users is needed.” “It’s the responsibility of dog owners to keep track of their dogs or we just couldn’t have a dog park,” says Black. “It’s not a staffed park, so it’s totally the owner’s responsibility. We make that clear on the big sign. It says potentially dangerous dogs must remain on leash. If there are behavioral issues, it’s an option to call 911.” Witness Nancy Rose described the horrific screaming and people trying to separate the dogs. She says owners of larger dogs in need of socialization sometimes use the smaller area but dog park user Trish Metsker said owners of large and small dogs negotiate use of the smaller area, and try not to let big and small dogs in at the same time. Luciano said the German Shepherd “went for the kill” soon after the victim dog and owner arrived, followed by “women screaming and the visceral sound of animals going crazy and attacking another dog. It was the worst thing I ever heard in a dog park. I saw no way that dog could survive. People were trying to phone a vet but good luck with that on a Sunday morning.” The dog owners exchanged information then both parties left quickly, he says. “A lot of people were standing around, stunned. It was very brief, two to four minutes, with a lot of blood ...." "If you have an aggressive dog in the park, you’re responsible, as the owner,” Luciano said. “Responsible owners never take their eye off their dog. You have to watch them. The dog park regulars watch out for people not doing a good job of watching their dogs.” Overall, said Metsker, the Ashland Dog Park is the best one she’s ever been to. John Darling is an Ashland freelance writer. Reach him at [email protected]. By John Darling For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By John Darling For the Tidings Posted Sep. 15, 2015 at 8:41 PM Updated Sep 15, 2015 at 8:42 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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