You take your dog to the local dog park knowing it will happily play with any other dog. And you expect the all of the other dogs at the park to be just as friendly. But as anyone who has visited a dog park will know, this is not always the case. Some dog owners are less than responsible when it comes to ensuring their dog will play nicely.
And of course, there are always the unexplained and unusual behaviour of a normally trustworthy dog when it seems to form an instant dislike to another dog.
When a fight breaks out and a dog receives an injury, who should accept liability? In my opinion there is a very simple answer to this question and one I know will meet with a moderate amount of opposition from from some dog owners. The person who is liable is you, as the owner of your dog.
My first rule of thumb is simple, if your dog is injured you accept liability and take full responsibility for whatever the outcome is. If your dog needs vet attention this is at your own cost.
There is only one time when this rule does not apply, if the someone knowingly brings an aggressive or disruptive dog into the dog park.
The second rule of thumb is, if you don’t want your dog to be at risk, don’t take your dog into a potential conflict situation, ever. This might be a dog park, your local on or off leash favourite dog walking spot or just around the block where you know you may run into another dog.
Many people say “but my dog is fine, I have trained him very well”. Does this really matter in these situations? No, it doesn’t if the other dog has not been well socialised and trained. How do you know it is friendly with other dogs? You don’t.
Does this mean you should stop going to the dog park? I don’t think it should but you have to be ready to accept whatever happens. The great majority of dogs at the park will be having fun, socialising and generally minding their own business not wanting any trouble at all. It can also be a great time socially for you as well but don’t forget you should be actively supervising your dogs behaviour and watching for potential problems with other dogs.
And don’t forget to pick up the poo.
