I had my newly rescued terrier overcome and pinned by two very large dogs at the Chetzemoka dog park today. I had my back turned and was trying to latch the gate when I heard snarling and yelping. I had to pull up the collar of the large brown Doodle to get it off my dog. 

In the meantime, I got told by the owner of said dog that it was MY fault because “my energy was bad.”

Let’s go over the basic rules of owner/dog etiquette at the dog park: Let the incoming owner and their dog have enough space when they arrive. Keep your dogs away from the door as people arrive. Do not allow big dogs to surround a person before they’ve even had a chance to come in the gate. If you do NOT have voice command over your dog, you shouldn’t be there. If your dog attacks smaller dogs, they should NEVER be allowed in the dog park system here. And when you see your dog attacking another dog, try and speed up your pace to save the situation rather than sauntering and blaming. 

I am still trying to overcome my shock at this owner’s complete disregard for other’s safety. You want to talk bad energy? The next time I see your dog, there will be Mace in my pocket.

Lynne Stryker
PORT TOWNSEND