MASSILLON, OHIO -- James Casselberry has a message for owners of aggressive dogs: Keep your pets away from Furnas Park.
Casselberry’s 10-month-old black lab mix, Jude, was attacked by a brindle pit bull Saturday afternoon at the city’s off-leash dog park, 905 Sippo Blvd. NE.
Jude was not seriously injured but sustained three puncture wounds to his neck and a cut on the inside of his lip.
He was playfully wrestling with another dog when the pit bull, which was on a leash, suddenly attacked, according to Casselberry.
“It was unprovoked. Without any warning, he was on him,” Casselberry said. “... It was a standard height for a pit bull, but it was massive. It looked like a dog on steroids.”
Casselberry sprang into action, swinging his lead at the dog to force him off Jude. Then, the pit bull broke free from its owner and chased after Jude, biting the dog a second time. The pit bull turned on its owner and bit its owner as he tried to gain control of him.
“It got him pretty good. I saw blood running down his arm,” Casselberry said.
OWNER PULLED A "PIT AND RUN"
OWNER PULLED A "PIT AND RUN"
The man then fled the area in a late 1990s model Ford F-150. Massillon police officers searched the area but could not locate the truck.
Casselberry said the pit bull had bitten another dog in the neck and jaw prior to his arrival at the park.
“A few people were standing right there. He didn’t really say too much. He jumped in his truck and took off. The guy didn’t seem like he cared,” Casselberry said. “We just wanted to make a police report in case it happened again.”
Massillon Parks and Recreation Department Director Kenn Kaminski said he couldn’t recall a similar incident involving an aggressive dog at the park. Kaminski said the city may need to erect additional signage advising that dangerous and aggressive dogs are banned from the park.
“This is something that we are going to have to take a look at,” Kaminski said.
“This is something that we are going to have to take a look at,” Kaminski said.
The city does not have the resources to assign an employee to monitor activity at the park.
“All we can do is hope it is self-governed,” Kaminski said.
The incident likely would be considered a civil matter because the pit bull attacked another dog, according to Vicki Davis, the city’s animal control officer.
Davis noted that both state and city laws require pit bull owners to muzzle their dogs once they are taken off their property.
Casselberry said he has never seen a vicious dog wearing a muzzle at the park.
“They should have to be muzzled,” he said. “Either that, or create another area for them.”
There have been some complaints that some park visitors are allowing their large dogs to play in the fenced-in area reserved for smaller dogs under 30 pounds, Davis added. Kaminski acknowledged he has received similar complaints.
“The owners of the big dogs are abusing it,” Davis said.
Jerry Kirby, of Massillon, said he wouldn’t want pit bulls running around with his fox terrier, Buddy.
“We come every day that we can ... She loves running,” he said.
Scott Anthony, of Perry Township, has been visiting the park with his Shar-Pei hound for several years and hasn’t noticed any serious issues with aggressive dogs. Fighting among dogs is a possibility, however, because they are within a confined area.
“I go to different parks and you’re going to have that. You have different personalities (together),” Anthony said. “... Most people break it up and solve the issue.”
Casselberry apparently isn’t going to allow the recent attack to dissuade him from taking Jude to the park, although he’s probably going to be more cautious.
“This is the only place I can let my dog run, and let him play with the other dogs,” he said. “I’m still going to take him down there.”
(The Independent - June 30, 2011)
