So Upset! Dog killed other dog.

[sillysally]

I guarantee that if this dog had attacked and killed a lab/pit/golden the responses would be very different.

As the owner of both a lab and a pit I can tell you that my response would not have changed one bit, and I doubt most of the other posts would have either--especially considering that many of the people who responded OWN SMALL DOGS (and even those of us who don't--a little offensive to suggest that we're all just cool with small dogs getting killed just because we don't own one IMHO).

Personally, I think it's setting your dog up for trouble to assume anything about the dogs that you are going to be sharing your space with. I never do unless we already know the dogs and I have a 65 lb dog that would be much harder to kill than a small one. Accidents happen--they are animals. I know that I am taking a certain risk with Jack when I am going into the park, but he loves it so we occasionally go. It doesn't mean that people who bring in aggressive dogs get a free pass in my book, but it does mean that I have to be very aware that I am exposing my dog to a certain amount of danger when I go to the park.

 

[Doberluv]

I personally think that to continue this thread with things that are a simple matter of interest is one thing. But to re-hash over and over anything which would cause more hurt for Cessena should be avoided at all costs. I feel very strongly about that. If you can imagine this happening to you, regardless of who was at fault, I know it would rip you to pieces and the effects would be long lasting. I don't think it is right to continue with any remarks that might cause additional stress, guilt or pain to Cessena. Please let's think hard before we hit send. This is an extremely sensitive and precarious situation.

 

[iwantmypup]

I am so sorry. What a horrible situation for everyone.

 

[ihartgonzo]

I guarantee that if this dog had attacked and killed a lab/pit/golden the responses would be very different.

WTF? Reallyyyy? Oh yeah, that's right. Everyone on this forum despises little dogs and doesn't even consider them to be dogs. D:<

I think it's worse, if anything, that a small dog was killed. That dog had pretty much no chance to defend himself and that is heart-breaking, while a Lab/Golden/Pit would at least be large enough to fight back or get away.

Gonzo was attacked by an enormous (probably 150 lb) Rottie at the dog park. Had he been a smaller dog, I'm positive she would have killed him. She was going for his face/throat and shaking him, but luckily he got away and I grabbed the Rottie.

 

[PoodleMommy]

WTF? Reallyyyy? Oh yeah, that's right. Everyone on this forum despises little dogs and doesn't even consider them to be dogs. D:<

everyone? NO... a lot of people yes. (read the "choose one from each group" thread if you need more recent proof)

we have been over this many many times... I have ASKED, BEGGED, and PLEADED for you to put me on ignore, I am still confused as to why you cant just do this already.

 

[eddieq]

I read the "choose one" thread. There were exactly 4 posts that said, "not my favorite group" or something similar. Nobody said that small dogs sucked or that they hated small dogs. Me thinks thou dost protest too much.

 

[PoodleMommy]

I read the "choose one" thread. There were exactly 4 posts that said, "not my favorite group" or something similar. Nobody said that small dogs sucked or that they hated small dogs. Me thinks thou dost protest too much.

and there were how many saying they did not like ANY other group?
One member skipped the group all together, why not just do that? instead of all the jabs that are CONSTANT from some members here.

and if you dont want to hear it, again, the ignore button is there for your use.

 

[eddieq]

Sorry about your inferiority complex. Regards

 

[PoodleMommy]

Sorry about your inferiority complex. Regards

Nice job with the personal jabs, guess they didnt make you read the rules before they made you a mod, so im assuming all is fair and I can say whatever want about you without getting banned?

 

[Doberluv]

Eh-hem....Must we have such discord on this thread, of all threads? Let's make a new thread about how small dogs suck or whatever....LOL! You guys! Eddie, I love your old English. It gave me a chuckle.

 

[Liza]

I'm so sorry You mean the small dog wasn't meant to be there as there's an area for small dogs? In this case, don't blame yourself too harshly. It's always best to keep your dog on a leash if it could become aggressive, but if small dogs are meant to be in a totally different area it's the other owner's responsibility as well.

 

[elegy]

and there were how many saying they did not like ANY other group?

well, i named sporting dogs as not my scene and i know dogsarebetter said that the sporting dogs were not her favorite. but that's beside the point, i suppose.

and yes, my response would be different if it had been a big dog, for a couple reasons. one, because of the size difference, it would take a big dog a great deal less force to kill a small dog than another dog its size or bigger. what could have been easily broken off with minor to possibly moderate injuries in dogs of the same size is potentially fatal to a small, delicate dog.

second, a running small dog can incite prey drive in some dogs. it turns from running dog into running small fuzzy thing. it's instinct. grab, bite, shake is instinct. and while the OP said that her dog had looked harder at small dogs than she was comfortable with, that kind of prey-drive response can also be triggered in dogs who have never previously had an issue, which is why i think anybody who takes a small dog to a big dog dogpark is playing with fire.

none of this is because i value the life of a small dog less. i used to own a 10 pound poodle for pity's sake. it's just, well, practical viewing of a sad situation.

 

[Bailey08]

well, i named sporting dogs as not my scene and i know dogsarebetter said that the sporting dogs were not her favorite. but that's beside the point, i suppose.

I hate to further derail this thread, but I had the same thought. I also noticed that several people posted that sporting dogs weren't their "thing."

I like labs a lot and there's a decent probability that my next dog will be one (or a mix thereof). I can't tell you how many times various posters have said that they don't like labs or labs aren't for them. I don't take it personally; I just notice it because it's a breed I like a lot. We aren't all meant to own border collies.

I agree with your other points, too, elegy.

 

[elegy]

We aren't all meant to own border collies.

or pit bulls, eh?

i just figure that's why there are so many different breeds. because what's appealing to one person is not appealing to others.

 

[ACooper]

This thread has pretty much served it's purpose, I think everyone has expressed what they needed to.

Cessena, I wish you the best in dealing with all this. If you have updates or something else concerning this you'd like to share, please start a new thread