On September 1st our 13 pound Havanese named Lola was mauled to death by a 125 pound Bull Mastiff. This happened while playing in the Amazon Dog Park here in Eugene. He charged at her in a completely unprovoked attack. I believe he saw her as prey. Up until we got Lola, I've always had big dogs. Because my dogs were so gentle it never occurred to me what could happen when a big dog bites a small dog. Now I know. I can't control the people who don't have voice or physical control over their dogs. But I believe we can equal the playing field by offering separate dog parks. I want to see a dedicated small dog park at Amazon Park. Through my interview with KVAL we have the attention of Kevin Foerstler, the Park Amenities Supervisor for the City of Eugene. 'm asking for your support. Please call or email your City Council, let them know you'd like to see a small dog park in Amazon. Send this on to your friends, twitter and facebook. Had there been small dog park, Lola would be alive and my four year daughter would still have her best friend. Interested in being part of a group of people interested in creating a small dog park? Please join by going to http://groups.google.com/group/lolas-park. Thank you so much for helping make this happen. Renee
On September 1st our 13 pound Havanese named Lola was mauled to death by a 125 pound Bull Mastiff. This happened while playing in the Amazon Dog Park here in Eugene. He charged at her in a completely unprovoked attack. I believe he saw her as prey. Up until we got Lola, I've always had big dogs. Because my dogs were so gentle it never occurred to me what could happen when a big dog bites a small dog. Now I know. I can't control the people who don't have voice or physical control over their dogs. But I believe we can equal the playing field by offering separate dog parks. I want to see a dedicated small dog park at Amazon Park. Through my interview with KVAL we have the attention of Kevin Foerstler, the Park Amenities Supervisor for the City of Eugene. 'm asking for your support. Please call or email your City Council, let them know you'd like to see a small dog park in Amazon. Send this on to your friends, twitter and facebook. Had there been small dog park, Lola would be alive and my four year daughter would still have her best friend. Interested in being part of a group of people interested in creating a small dog park? Please join by going to http://groups.google.com/group/lolas-park. Thank you so much for helping make this happen. Renee
7:17 am PST, Nov 3,Natalie Hockett, Oregon
I'm so sorry for your loss! I have a small dog (5 lb chinese crested), but I also have a very sweet english mastiff, and I have always had problems at dogs parks. I have been so fearful to take my little one off the leash because of large aggressive dogs, but I have had more dogs attack my mastiff then even give any notice to my little dog. My Mastiff is a wimp, poor thing is always getting picked on. I think the real problem is people taking dogs that are known for being aggressive to dog parks. I dont understand this. Last time our mastiff was attacked the owner of the other dog said that his dog ALWAYS finds a dog it doesnt like and tries to fight. Although, you really cant control what dogs are going into those parks, but if there was a little dog park at least they would all be roughly the same size so if there was a fight it wouldnt turn out like this. I'm all for a little dog park, I'd love to let my little one run around and play with dogs her size.
# 574:
10:27 pm PDT, Oct 31,Tom Ruby, Oregon
This story is very sad and really brings home the need for a small breed area. I have 2 small dogs and can't imagine the pain this family is feeling. Our prayers go out to you.
# 573:
6:09 pm PDT, Oct 30,Gabriela Zambrana, Bolivia
# 572:
2:05 pm PDT, Oct 30,Name not displayed, Oregon
# 571:
8:34 am PDT, Oct 30,Isabel Cruz, Portugal
# 570:
6:17 am PDT, Oct 29,Gerold Fahrer, Germany
# 569:
12:10 pm PDT, Oct 28,Sarah Dean, Arizona
# 568:
10:54 am PDT, Oct 28,Name not displayed, Oregon
# 567:
8:06 pm PDT, Oct 24,Patricia Piazza, New York
# 566:
4:30 pm PDT, Oct 23,Carrie Dunsmoor, Oregon
# 565:
3:15 am PDT, Oct 23,Susan Gelder, Maryland
Our small dogs are our family and we want to protect them!!
# 564:
10:33 am PDT, Oct 22,Melissa Bunnell, Oregon
I don't have any dogs myself but I can see where there would be a need for such a thing to keep the little dogs safe.
# 563:
9:15 am PDT, Oct 22,Janet Larson, Oregon
Over in West Eugene we have a dog park that has a place for small dogs and big dogs, Amazon dog park should have the same.
# 562:
1:48 pm PDT, Oct 21,Therese Scraper, Oregon
I have been hoping for a safe place like this to take my small 6 lb and 10 lb dogs to. I will not take them in to a park with large dogs. It is not worth the risk to me.
I do not worry too much about small dogs learning to socialize and getting aggressive. Small dogs can injure small dogs, but large dogs can kill small dogs.
I can accept a slightly torn ear or a small bite to my little ones, but not a crushed body.
# 561:
12:25 pm PDT, Oct 20,Razvan V., Romania
# 560:
1:21 pm PDT, Oct 19,Maria Williams, Oregon
As an owner of a small dog (18 lbs)we frequent the various local dog parks and fortunately haven't had any physically negative experiences. Unfortunately I can not say the same for a couple of my friends whos dogs needed vet assistance after being attacked at Candlelight park and Morse Ranch. We have experienced a couple of instances where larger dogs have exerted their dominance by being overly aggressive, causing my dog to try to remove himself from the situation and only able to do so with my intervention.
Every time we visit a dog park I have some apprehension and am a little anxious.I feel if there was a dog park area that was designated for smaller dogs, myself and other small dog owners may be able to relax more and enjoy watching their furry companions play and romp with other dogs their own size without the fear of an altercation with a large dog.
Please thoughtfully consider a dedicated small dog at Amazon Park as well as the other wonderful dog parks in Eugene.
Thank you,
# 558:
8:36 pm PDT, Oct 17,Rhonda Tetz, Canada
I am holding my 5 pnd dog as I write,sobbing for the loss of Lola. When I visit my American friend it would nice to know a safe place for small dogs to play exists. Our family will miss her wonderful little dog.
# 557:
5:00 pm PDT, Oct 17,Jordyn Nepper, Oregon
I'm so sorry, I don't know what I'd do if i lost my dog.
# 556:
12:24 pm PDT, Oct 17,Stefan Matts, Wisconsin
# 555:
10:41 am PDT, Oct 17,Mary Fullerton, Oregon
I am so sorry, for what happened to your dog :(
# 554:
8:39 am PDT, Oct 17,Petra Prachleitner, Austria
# 553:
8:11 am PDT, Oct 17,Manfred Schmalenberger, Austria
# 552:
11:23 pm PDT, Oct 16,Miho Fay, California
I believe this is not only for small dogs but also for big dogs sake.
# 551:
1:57 pm PDT, Oct 16,Flo Byrne, Oregon
My dog, who is mid-sized, used to love the dog park until she was terrorized by 2 large aggressive dogs. We no longer feel safe there and it's unfortunate that my well-behaved (well-trained!) dog is no longer able to enjoy romping off-leash because of ignorant, insensitive dog owners. I support having an area reserved for smaller dogs.
