Source
r/sanfrancisco•
StatusQuit

Aggressive dogs at Upper Douglass dog park - can I report the owner to anyone?

Today at the Upper Douglass dog park my dog was attacked by an aggressive German Shepherd named Penny - this has happened several times and I have asked nicely before for this dog to be leashed and today I lost it 'cause this dog is going to kill someone's dog someday.

The owner kept asking if my dog was neutered (which he is, and I've said this before to this person.) We were on the other side of the park, minding our own business when this dog came up to us and attacked my dog. The owner then said that maybe my dog did something to upset his dog, and I lost it. It's ridiculous to think my dog could have done anything from the other side of the park - and this has happened with this particular dog several times before and with other dogs that Penny (aggressive gsd) has interacted with.

Yeah, I didn't love that I lost my temper - but it's scary to have your dog attacked, multiple times by the same dog, and having seen that dog target other dogs at random too. And then have the owner be totally irresponsible by continuing to bring that dog back here off leash. It doesn't matter if that dog is ok with 95% of dogs, if she kills 1 dog that's 1 dog too many. My dog is still a puppy, is not aggressive, and deserves to enjoy the park in peace.

I didn't get a pic of this person or their dogs. Is there anywhere I can report this person? Does SF rec and park or sfpd even do anything?

Posted Sep 13, 2021, 9:14 PM UTC

6540
[deleted]•

[deleted]

50
Michaelsoft-Binbows•

Thanks friend.

My dog was attacked and bitten by a pit bull not to long ago. Punctured his skin and required antibiotics for a few weeks.

Wish I knew I could have called the cops and have the cops detained the pit bull until an investigation was completed.

TIL.

11
TalosX1•

A nearby neighbor of mines had his 6 month puppy attacked by a pitbull as well, had to get a bunch of stitches on his face.

2
bahnmiauSan Francisco•

I recently saw a NextDoor post about this same issue in that park. Not sure if I can locate but will try

34
handsomemagenta🚲•

I live near the park and see posts like this on ND all the time.

13
Minute-Plantain•

You could file a Vicious and Dangerous Dog Request For Hearing form. Located here. https://www.sanfranciscopolice.org/stay-safe/safety-tips/dangerous-dogs

30
musclehacker•

I live right next to the park and I actually heard the altercation from my apartment. I think it was around 1 pm ish (heard someone swearing loudly). You are doing the right thing by reporting this dog and the owner. Most dog owners at this park are super responsible but there is always few bad apples that ruin it for everyone else.

16
[deleted]•

[removed]

1
bateKush•

When you say attacked, what do you mean? Biting, jumping, snarling?

14
Staggering_genius•

Yeah, I’m wondering what counts as an “attack.”

13
buyo1797•

Attack in the dog world is when they bite with intent to injure or kill either in self-defense or in defense of territory. My guess it’s either the latter or he is attempting to assert his dominance on your dog. Unless the owner specifically trained his dog to attack others, those are the most likely scenarios. What you should do is protect your dog and claim your space around him. If he charges at your dog, you should stand in front of your dog in between him and your dog, assertively correct him with a punchy “No” and either nip at him with your hand if he’s too close on his chest or neck, or push him away. That behavior should not be allowed in the first place, but you always want to be safe and protect your dog and prevent any fights or injuries.

6
funKmaster_tittyBoi•

Seriously. Big dogs play rough lol I’ve seen people go crazy when their dog plays with other dogs in a way that “makes them feel uncomfortable”. Jumping on, posturing, rolling around, etc is not attacking. It’s playing, and you can always tell by wagging tails. If there’s no biting, and I mean actually biting (not just opening their mouth and not biting down), it’s not an attack

I’m sorry if your dog was actually attacked OP, that really does happen… just don’t get a dog put down because their play makes you feel uncomfortable, if that is the case

2
pirateninjawarrior•

If my dog goes to play with your dog, it’s one thing but if your dog comes near my dog and is playing rougher than I would like, then you should be respectful enough to get your dog off (and keep him off) if I ask you too. Your interpretation of how dogs play doesn’t matter. I don’t need to wait until your dog actually bites mine before asking you to get him off.

5
funKmaster_tittyBoi•

To me it’s really if it’s a two way street. If one of the dogs wants to play and the other is just trying to avoid/run away then I agree. I was more saying when one dog approaches the other, and they both start to play. Seen so many people get mad at their dog and apologize, or worse yell at the other dog owner to “control your dog”. Basically their lack of knowledge is bad for their own dogs socialization

1
unclekarl•

Based on the fact that the owner repeatedly asks if the other dog is neutered I would guess it's not just a case of rough play by a large dog. It means their dog typically has a problem with intact males, and it is honestly and sadly not that uncommon. There are a lot of dogs that will aggressively go after dogs who are not spayed or neutered because of their scent. Once you know your dog does that, you should only set up playdates with dogs you know it gets along with imo because you have no idea who is and isn't neutered at a large dog park. Also, many vets are recommending later spay and neuter dates now for larger breeds which means more and more dogs are still intact later than they used to be. There was a large Newfie, Bowie, that would go to Upper Douglass that was intact at his vet's rec for at least two years, and he was constantly harassed.

Edit: spelling

3
[deleted]•

[removed]

1
[deleted]•

[removed]

1
[deleted]•

[removed]

-19
[deleted]•

[removed]

0
Rustybot•

Upper Douglas dog park is the worst! Everyone brings the big aggressive dogs and then basically ignores them.

I learned that fenced in dog parks are mostly populated with dogs that can’t be trusted on voice control/off leash, or have owners who don’t want to pay attention to them.

The dogs that can behave/listen go to open parks like Fort Funston or Precita park.

At Upper DouglS, one guy’s dog had a fun game where he runs straight at you/your dog at top speed and comes as close as possible to colliding as he can. I straight up had to knee the dog in the face to stop this 40lb dog from charging into my 15 lb dog at a full run. The owner did not care what his dog was doing and made no effort to restraint him.

We stopped going to fenced in parks and never missed it.

13
SferOuter Sunset•

Sorry to say but this is utter nonsense about fenced in dog parks. Many breeds have a prey instinct, for example sight hounds, and shouldn’t ever be let off leash unless at a fenced in park. Has nothing to do with trust or training.

The issue with every case is always the owner. Golden Gate Park’s dog park has never once been a problem in the 50 or so times I’ve visited with my dog. The issues I’ve seen every single time are the dog parks in people’s neighborhoods. People are lazy and just want to tire the dog out whereas ones they have to travel to such as fort funston or GGP are more responsible owners who want the dog to socialize.

11
Illegal_Tender•

Bingo. My dog is a super friendly dude, fine with people and kids and plays well with other dogs around his size and has generally good recall but he's half sight hound and if he saw a squirrel or rabbit while off leash in an unfenced area I'd never see him again because he can run at around 35mph.

2
SferOuter Sunset•

Totally understand. I grew up with greyhounds so I get it. I currently have an English bull terrier who, despite being well trained, may decide to run over to someone friendly looking half a mile away on a whim because, well, that’s the breed.

1
[deleted]•

[removed]

1
[deleted]•

[removed]

1
sfmarketer64•

That is so scary, as I consider this a “nice” dog park. If my puppy got attacked, I would probably kick the shit out of that shepherd. What does his owner look like so we know if he comes in?

11
[deleted]•

[removed]

1
TalosX1•

One of the reasons I avoid dog parks and many trainers advise to as well. Too many irresponsible owners - all it takes is 1 bad altercation and your dogs entire psych can change on a whim. I have a Doberman and often times unleashed dogs run up to us while the owner watches from a distance at the park. Infuriates me.

Yes please report! I remember hearing about a dog killing another dog at mission bay park not to long ago.

10
unclekarl•

Yep. I was walking two unneutered male foster dogs on leash in the Dogpatch (who were days away from their neuter appointments) and a large off leash malamute/husky attacked them on the sidewalk. One of the dogs became incredibly leash reactive as a result and is still in training to feel safe on leash over a year and thousands of dollars later. The really infuriating part is that immediately after, people at the nearby park came up to check if we were ok and said they've seen that same dog attack other dogs on multiple occasions! Yet the owners STILL walk it off leash when they have no control over it. I've also had my female dog attacked at Upper Douglas (resulting in an ER visit) after the other dog's owner assured me her dog was ok and it was "just his play style". We stopped going there after that.

6
TalosX1•

What a shame, thanks for sharing.

2
nonstoppartybus•

I hate that dogs misbehave at parks and agree with your initial statement, but I'm puzzled by the "unleashed dogs run up to us" complaint. Wouldn't that be expected, and free interactions kind of the point, at an off-leash dog park?

4
TalosX1•

Was referring to a general park not the dog park. A bit more context on this, a dog shouldn’t be unleashed here.

6
BandicootCumberbundNoe Valley•

I also have a Dobermann and I often find myself being very protective of him and those around me by being vigilant for my dog as well as other dogs actions/behaviors. If I get a whiff of my Dobe or another dog acting in any way suspicious I actively avoid interactions.

This is also coming from being an owner of what's considered a "vicious breed" so I try to do my best to show others how well behaved and friendly this breed actually is so that the stigma they have can be eroded.

3
TalosX1•

Yup the “big bad Doberman” stigma is pretty prevalent. I blame movies like resident evil and Oliver and Company 😂. More often than not when I’m walking down the street people will cross the street or walk on it if they see us. Little do they know he’s actually very gentle and sweet. It’s up to us to break that stigma!

3
BandicootCumberbundNoe Valley•

When I got a dog I thought people would be more open to saying hello, but for the most part it's been the exact opposite. People definitely avoid us when we are walking down the street. People have even packed up and moved when I bring him to Dolores. It really makes me sad because he is the sweetest Doberdork.

3
ali_mack•

Scruffy-looking dude with a beard and a beanie hat, by any chance?

8
unclekarl•

I'm so sorry! Take extra precautions with your dog over the next few days and pay attention to how she's reacting to GSDs in particular. I know a trainer who has very friendly role model GSDs if you need a slow introduction to help build your dog's confidence back up!

Edit: My dog was attacked there too, so we just stopped going. After a few weird dog park incidents I have stopped going altogether, which I know my dog is bummed about. Again, sorry that happened to you.

5
[deleted]•

[removed]

1
[deleted]•

[removed]

1
[deleted]•

[removed]

1
[deleted]•

[removed]

1
[deleted]•

[removed]

-3†