The politics of dog ownership in a city that probably has more dogs than children can be a very heated topic. The Alexandria City Council recently voted to join [tag]Virginia[/tag]’s [tag]Dangerous Dog Registry[/tag] and the Washington Post ran a piece about it on Sunday:
“City to List Dogs That Attack.”
I’d heard about the incident, but I didn’t know the details since versions of the story diverged wildly as it whipped through the local rumor mill.
The hound picked up the smaller dog in its mouth and vigorously shook it, causing it to suffer severe lacerations and a broken back, and leaving the 6-year-old terrier named Emily partially paralyzed, said owner Tracy Compton.
…….
Compton said that other dog owners at the park appeared eager to minimize the incident when her dog was attacked, fearful that it would give ammunition to dog-park critics. She said one dog owner who witnessed the attack followed her to the animal hospital to tell her that her dog was to blame because it was small and “looked like a squirrel.”
What sort of dog owner says that to another dog owner, especially in such hideous circumstances? Goes out of their way to do so, even? For that matter, what sort of person behaves that way, period? People make me tired.
When last I heard, at least, Emily the terrier was making a good recovery. I haven’t been out and about in the neighborhood much lately so I can’t say for sure.