Be wary of owners at dog parks

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PET FORUM


By Karen Steinrock

Of The Morning Call

3:23 PM EDT, March 23, 2009

Dear Karen: We are hoping to warn pet owners of a little known hazard that took the life of our puppy last fall.

Our puppy died last fall at University of Pennsylvania Vet Hospital. We finally got autopsy results today and the culprit was (as we had suspected through our own investigations) puffball mushroom spores which he had inhaled.

The genus in this area is lycosporidium and they are everywhere. We had many in our yard and kept him away from eating them, but it was actually the inhalation of the spores which caused his death. This has not been reported as yet in veterinary literature and U-Penn is planning on researching this disease and writing a study for veterinary literature. The disease in humans is called lycoperdinosis.

If this info can safe other pets, perhaps his death won't be in vain.

Samina Wahhab, M.D., Center Valley

Dear Karen: A recent trip to the dog park turned out to be a disaster. My dog has to go on the "big dog" side and I'm very cautious before allowing her to enter. I went in, removed my dog's leash and the dogs (three or so) began to play.

Suddenly a woman yelled to me that her dog, which I had not seen earlier, was coming at us and was "nasty.". Her dog attacked, then bit my dog on the ear. I was terrified. The lady got to her dog, leashed it and I immediately took my dog to the vet, where she was treated and released.

While the owner was apologetic and reimbursed me for the vet bill, I was still upset that she knowingly brought this dog to the park. I don't know why anyone would take a dog with known aggression issues to a park. Why don't people use common sense?

I assumed any owner there would be as responsible as I, but was wrong. Dog parks are wonderful for well socialized dogs. It's no place for "nasty" dogs.

Carol, Harrisburg

Dear Carol: Amen. Brings back memories of last summer when an ill-mannered Newf attacked and bit Barney in the lake during a water seminar. A group water event was the last place that dog should have been.

As in your case, the owner was contrite, but her desire to have her dog be part of the event overrode her common sense. The dog had a history of breaking loose from its owner, ignoring basic commands, and stealing other dogs' retrieve articles. An accident waiting to happen.

In both situations, it took a near tragedy for the owner to realize their best friend posed a danger to others.

Call me a worry wart, but what you described is why I've never taken the Newfs to a dog park -- the dynamics in a pack of unacquainted loose dogs too unpredictable. The most sociable dog in the world can feel bad vibes toward another dog and vice versa. Owners getting mixed up in the "pack" can really stir the pot.

Fortunately, few such incidents occur at most parks. Now in its fifth year of operation, the popular Lower Allen Township dog park in Cumberland County receives an average of three such reports a year. Thus far, no dog has been seriously injured.

Wendy Hayden, coordinator for the park, says it's up to owners to make responsible decisions and to report vicious dogs they may encounter. Visitors to the park must preregister their pooches, show proof of vaccinations ∧ dog license and sign a waiver.

Beyond that, we can only rely on the good judgment of owners as to "who plays wells with others."

Karen Steinrock is a writer based in Grantham, Pa. Readers may send questions or comments to ksteinrock@comcast.net or P.O. Box 306, Grantham, PA 17027. Please include hometown and phone number.

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