Posted by scout, a resident of the Atherton: Lindenwood neighborhood, on Dec 3, 2008 at 6:11 am

Who appoints any authority of any type or kind to animal control?

I insist that we do NOT live in a communist State.

Nothing wrong with the dog. The dog owner simply should pay a get well fine to the horse lady, about $1,000, as this was a NO BITE situation.

One thing for certain, the creepy handing out of legal authority to idiots like animal control and fireplace people MUST STOP.

If those involved with the above don't like it, then go back to Burger King.

Not in MY COUNTRY!

Posted by alekaneleno, a resident of the Portola Valley: Los Trancos Woods/Vista Verde neighborhood, on Dec 3, 2008 at 9:31 am

With idiots and pit bull apologists like Mr. Delucci looking out for the public good we are all at risk. A dog that got loose, jumped up, bit a horse on the neck, and hung there until shaken loose isn't considered "vicious" or "dangerous"? What if it had been a child? The dog should now have a "history" of biting. Instead, the ever wimpy Mr. Delucci said it was an "no-win" situation and let the dog and its owner off the hook. No-win is right---for public safety. Let's hope that nothing else ever happens (hah!) and Mr. Delucci's conscience can remain clear. But the directors of Peninsula Humane society should review Mr. Delucci's attitude which seemed to be "blame the rider".

Posted by dog lover, a resident of the Menlo Park: Fair Oaks neighborhood, on Dec 3, 2008 at 10:36 am

You may not like the decision made not to go after the dog's owner, but you shouldn't blame the decision on Mr. Delucchi. He's only a spokesman for the humane society, not someone who decides matters like this.

I think there should be a fourth option -- or maybe a mandate: a stiff fine for the owner of an off-leash dog that attacks a person or another animal. Not only might it show that the county is serious about the law, but it would help defray costs of the investigation by humane society staff. My guess is that such an investigation has a hefty price tag, and the dog owner should bear a significant portion of the bill -- if not the whole thing.

Posted by PBTOwner, a resident of another community, on Dec 3, 2008 at 2:33 pm

As an owner of a very loving American Pit Bull Terrier, I feel a "warning" was just not enough. As owners of any animal, we must ensure that they are not running at large causing harm to anyone or thing around them. This is the kind of failure of the system that could perhaps have us all back in 6 months watching the demand to have this breed be outlawed. Just as we must be responsible for our own actions in pulic, we must be responsible for our animals actions as well.

I do not think this dog owner should be thrown under the bus, accidents happen. But I just feel that a warning is not enough to send the message that we are all to take responsibility for our animals. There already is a warning system in place, and that is the leash law!

This breed of dog is under fire right now, and it is because of "mishaps" like this. The owner should be fined, and made to pay all horse and rider's medical bills. Emotional suffering? No... that is too far.

And Alek, 'what if' the horse had gotten loose in the park and trampled a child? It would be just as tragic. My point is, there will always be 'what ifs'. We can ask our government to regulate us to death, but that will never stop the what-ifs.

Posted by Maybe it can be easily settled, a resident of another community, on Dec 3, 2008 at 2:37 pm

Maybe the dog owner can do the classy thing and offer to pay for the horserider's treatment. When my dog knocked down a friend (not in aggression, in excitement), my fried had a sore back as a result and I paid for a series of massages. She had medical insurance, but massage did the trick. I was happy to pay. Many of these types of accidents can be handled politely and kindly between the involved parties. Animals will be animals, and and since we are the animals responsible for our owned animals' behavior, we must take responsibility.

Many dogs are horse aggressive, but not human aggressive. I saw a golden retriever go after a horse and bite it. How come that didn't make a headline? I suspect due to the dog's breed. The poster concerned about it could've been a child is wrong-headed. Besides, it wasn't a child, it was a horse. Move on people!

Posted by Did it happen on private property?, a resident of the Menlo Park: Downtown neighborhood, on Dec 3, 2008 at 2:39 pm

Reference was made to the dog getting out through a hole in the fence. Maybe the dog owner had no idea there was a hole in the fence and had their dog offleash on private property - totally legal, of course. I'm glad horse & rider are ok. It sounds like the horse's injury was actually quite minor.