To: PamLex5@aol.com
From: dogadmin@clarkdogpaw.org
Reply-To: PamLex5@aol.com
Subject: [DOGPAW] Update on some important issues

Dogpaw supporters,
 
First, I want to let you know that the person involved in the bite incident 
at Ross earlier this week has been identified and police and animal control are 
doing an investigation.  Some varying reports have come up about this 
incident and Dogpaw will play no role in determing who is responsible, that will come 
from Animal Control.  As with any issue, there are always 2 (or more) sides 
to a story.  The important takeaway for all of us, is that  each person is 
completely responsible for what your dog does in the park, so be sure you are 
aware and paying attention.  Any sign of aggressive behavior needs to be addressed 
immediately before problems occur.  If you dog does bite or harm another 
person or dog, you need to immediately restrain your dog (take them to the car if 
needed), but you MUST return to provide your information to anyone who may 
have been harmed by your dog, regardless of whose fault you think it is.  Animal 
Control will mitigate these matters.
 
Each Dogpaw member must play a role in park safety, including whenever there 
is an incident, collecting information and reporting the issue to either the 
police, Animal Control and/or Dogpaw.  There is info on the Dogpaw website 
_www.clarkdogpaw.org_ (http://www.clarkdogpaw.org)  for contacting folks.
 
Dogpaw is committed to making the parks as safe as possible, but the reality 
is we all use the parks at our own risk.  We hope by some new programs we are 
implementing we can help make the parks safer
    
    1) At our invitation, Animal Control will begin spending more time in the 
parks, to monitor behavior and check for licensing, so be sure your dogs are 
wearing their tags.
    2) We have engaged a dog trainer who is willing to volunteer his time to 
create safety programs that he and other trainers will be helping with.  They 
will spend time in the parks providing educational support and written 
material to help us all learn more about dog behavior.
    3) After the first of the year Dogpaw will be offering free classes where 
are members can learn more about recognizing dog behaviors and learning how 
to handle threats from other dogs.
 
 
Thanks again to all who have contributed to the Dakota fund.  donations can 
be mailed up till Monday Nov 5th, and online donations completed by Nov 8th.  
Dogpaw has been invited to speak at the memorial service for Dakota on Monday 
Nov 5th to announce that the new off leash park at Pacific, which opens in 
summer 2008 will be named in honor of Dakota. 
 
 



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