The couple was nervous when they saw a large group of pit bulls, a breed many people associate with aggressive behavior. But they tried it out anyway, keeping a tight hold on their dogs with leashes. Within minutes of entering the dog park, Sunnenberg said a pit bull attacked Dobby, their 8-month-old Redbone hound.
He tried to pull his dog away, but the pit’s grip on his dog’s neck was like a vice. Seconds later, another pit bull attacked the couple’s other dog, Dante, which Candelori was holding. “I pulled the leash but the dog kept coming with him. I had him in my arms and I could clearly see the other dog clamped on my dog’s neck.
He was screaming and his head was twisted. I never heard a dog make those sounds. I thought we were going to lose him,” Sunnenberg said. Luckily, others at the park helped remove the pit bulls.
The owner left without leaving contact information. According to Ken Rodriguez, local dog park advocate and owner of Always There Pet Care, Downey Dog Park has earned a bad reputation for aggressive dogs and irresponsible owners. “I warn people about that park,” he said.
“That park attracts a rougher crowd who comes in there with a lot of really bad dogs. It is the only park where we have ever heard of major issues like aggressive dogs, fights with other dogs, dogs attacking people, dogs not being well trained or well controlled.” Dog parks are self-policed and Rodriguez said most of the time park patrons do a good job of it.
Many people will not hesitate to ask the owner of an aggressive dog to leave — big or small. But when aggressive dogs begin making up the majority, he said self-policing becomes an issue. “I am surprised this is an issue because I never heard of any problems. Just about everyone who comes out there are good about following the rules,” said Betsy Rodriguez (no relation), Downey Park site supervisor.
“We ask our patrons to please report issues because we want them to keep coming back. We do not want aggressive dogs.” Park staff is available on site at Downey Park during park hours. Problems can be reported personally at the office or by calling 407-254-9180.
In a life-threatenning situation, Rodriguez recommends calling 9-1-1 dispatch. If a report was made to the park office, Rodriguez said she would ask the owners to leave and compile an incident report. Orange County Animal Control would take the case from there.
Jessica Flana, 20, who brought her French Bulldog, Queso, to Downey Park last week, said she has never seen aggressive dogs at the park. “I have seen dogs that were not social, but not aggressive. People here follow the rules and it is the cleanest dog park I have ever seen,” she said. Another park patron, Alex DiMarzio, said he has had only positive experiences at Downey as well. But Candelori said they will never return to any dog park.
They rushed their dogs to a nearby emergency veterinary hospital, where the dogs were treated for puncture wounds on their necks. “We wanted to socialize our dogs. In fact, we were more worried about how they would react to the other dogs, which is why we kept them on the leash, so we had control. The rules say not to unleash your dog until you have established voice control,” she said.
“It was such a bad experience I do not ever want to take them back to the dog park again.” Both dogs had to get neck drains and wore safety collars for a few days until the drains could be removed. The veterinary bill was $1,250. “They are doing much better. We were really worried the first day or so, but they are back to their old selves — playing, eating and healing,” Sunnenberg said.
“We do not have children so these dogs are our kids. To see them in trouble is one thing, but to hear that sound and to see them being mauled was very difficult.” Since the incident, Sunnenberg said people who hear his story say they have heard about other problems at Downey Dog Park.
“There are 13 other dog parks in the metro area and Downey is the biggest and most problematic. In other parks people follow the rules,” said dog park advocate Rodriguez. “People should take a more active role in dealing with this issue. You do not want a park to get a bad reputation because then people are not going to go.”
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