Posted on Sat, Jul 21, 2012 : 5:19 p.m.
Dog fight at farmers market parking lot leads to owner getting bitten
By Lisa Carolin
Updated story: Farmers market dog fight results in owner, 2 dogs sustaining minor injuries
The Ypsilanti Police Department is investigating a dog fight that led to one of the dog's owners getting bitten.
The police were called to the parking lot of the Ypsilanti Farmers Market this morning after the dog fight broke out. Both dogs were on leashes, but one of the owners was bitten.
According to Officer Elizabeth Hunt, the victim did not require medical treatment. The police are still investigating the incident to determine if any charges will be filed.
The Farmers Market parking lot is located at Rice and Cross streets.
Comments
actionjackson
Sun, Jul 22, 2012 : 3:10 p.m.
Bullying, plain and simple. So sorry for the owner of the attacked dogs. Ann Arbor has a no dog/ no smoking policy. Avoiding these situations are in the training and care of aggressive dogs no matter what the breed.
actionjackson
Sun, Jul 22, 2012 : 3:11 p.m.
This law is applied at the Farm Market on Sat. and Wed. to make my previous statement clear.
barn gurl
Sun, Jul 22, 2012 : 2:31 p.m.
I am very saddened with this experience. I am the vendor that really jumped in with fists to the pitbull and was able to get the little guy free. I did not realize I was repeatedly being bite by the little one. My injuries are nothing in scale as to the man who lost his dogs. I had been petting them earlier that morning. I would like to do what I can to help this person, not sure there is anything that I can at this point. My condolences are sent and I will cry for him often for awhile. I also would like to note I know the women with the pitbull, which complicates this for me even more. This is was a great dog friendly market and I hate that this situation will likely change that. I am relieved that I did not have my dogs with me. One of the worst days in my life.
Ricebrnr
Sun, Jul 22, 2012 : 2:17 p.m.
Pepper spray / OC Not all the animals you need to defend against have 2 legs...
dading dont delete me bro
Sun, Jul 22, 2012 : 12:50 p.m.
hope it's all cleared up before that stupid run takes place today.
dading dont delete me bro
Sun, Jul 22, 2012 : 12:45 p.m.
rice(?) and cross...?
UM Rocks
Sun, Jul 22, 2012 : 2:16 p.m.
Rice and Cross Streets is correct.
City Confidential
Sun, Jul 22, 2012 : 11:37 a.m.
Seriously, AA.com, why are the "blame the victim" statements allowed to remain here? What if the owner of the dogs that were viciously attacked while he was just walking them, on leash, to a public park, sees these comments about how he shouldn't have his dogs in public? Also why does the title to this article say "fight"? It was an ATTACK, and a fatal one at that. The person who was bit isn't suffering nearly as much as those who saw a dog mauled to death in front of them, and the owner of the dogs that were mauled having lost his pets.
kraiford12
Sun, Jul 22, 2012 : 2:20 p.m.
I don't think the comments about "leave your dogs at home" are taken serious enough to be categorized as blaming the victim. Point being, it's such a silly notion that it's obviously not the reasoning behind the attack.
YpsiBarry
Sun, Jul 22, 2012 : 4:04 a.m.
Describing this as a dog fight leads one to assume two or more dogs were being aggressive. This was not a dog fight, it was a mauling. I was 10 feet away when this started. The pit bull was tethered somehow to the owner's van parked in the spot closest to the entrance to Frog Island Park. It had a fairly long tether that let it go from the front bumper to anywhere around the rear bumper. The owner was not by the car, she was taking some things over to where the market was. The dog was there alone when she wasn't there, and seemed rather anxious as it was pacing back and forth from front of back. I was watching the dog and these details because I had a baby with me, and was trying to get him into the car. The victim and his two (small) dogs were simply trying to go into the park, and I wish I knew that's where they were headed before it was too late. The pit bull must have been on the other side so he didn't see it - it then ambushed both the victim and his dogs. They didn't have a chance to defend themselves. The larger of the victim's dogs (over 20lbs) was being shaken in the air, and there was nothing that could stop it. Well, nothing handy at that moment unfortunately. People from the market came over to help. There had to have been at least 5 people trying to get that dog off it. They tried to put it in the van but it got loose again and seems to have chased down the other dogs into the park. It was a horrible incident, and my heart goes out to that poor man. With the location of that dog, if it didn't happen to him it was going to happen to the next dog that went by. I often take my son over to the park as well, and it could have just as easily been aggressive toward strangers, including many people with small children there that morning. This dog proved to be a violent animal, and I hope the city ordinances take their course so it won't cause physical or emotional trauma to anyone else in our community.
Phew!
Sun, Jul 22, 2012 : 3 p.m.
I'm wondering if the owner of the pitbull tied the dog to the bumper of the van and left the dog there, rather than taking the dog with her, because she knew her dog would not behave well around do many other people and dogs. She may have been trying to be responsible. It sounds like an awful situation and a horrific thing to have witnessed.
kraiford12
Sun, Jul 22, 2012 : 2:18 p.m.
Agreed ^^
tom swift jr.
Sun, Jul 22, 2012 : 1:18 p.m.
Thanks for some solid information about this incident. Much more informative than the article itself.
Fordie
Sun, Jul 22, 2012 : 3:55 a.m.
There was a comment by a first-hand witness that was deleted by AnnArbor.com. It was slightly critical of AA.com, is that why it was deleted?
Kyle Mattson
Sun, Jul 22, 2012 : 2:11 p.m.
Fordie- We try to confirm crime reports with the appropriate officials before publishing updates as to limit speculation or incorrect information. Also, we do welcome any eye-witness tips or information which can be sent to: news@annarbor.com. Thanks!
YpsiBarry
Sun, Jul 22, 2012 : 4:20 a.m.
I agreed and noted the same in my comment. I checked the guidelines and can't seem to find the violation that the comment you are referring to violated. I did, however, find plenty remaining that see to violate the policy of "Insensitivity to victims of accidents or crimes".
jcj
Sun, Jul 22, 2012 : 1:50 a.m.
I am sick of anyone that can't stand to leave home without their security blanket (pet)! IF either of the owners had left their pet home this does not happen!
Phew!
Sun, Jul 22, 2012 : 2:51 p.m.
Dogs GET socialized by taking them out. If you want socialized dogs, it is necessary to take them out, meet people, meet dogs, become accustomed to as many different situations as possible...
barn gurl
Sun, Jul 22, 2012 : 2:43 p.m.
give me a break. this was Saturday morning, and whether you get it or not, 40% of population loves dogs. Dogs and man like walks, whether you do not like either.
kraiford12
Sun, Jul 22, 2012 : 2:16 p.m.
My security blanket is my gun, but I bring my dog too.
OLDTIMER3
Sun, Jul 22, 2012 : 1:31 p.m.
I take my dog most places I go unless it is terribly hot. And he is in my control at all times unless someone were to let him out of my vehicle.Or try to get in my vehicle while I'm not there..
Terrin
Sun, Jul 22, 2012 : 1:19 p.m.
I am sick of people who in a supposed free country tell other people what they should do. For some people, their pets are not a "security blanket," but a valued member of their family who the people actually enjoy spending time with. Further, it is proven that people with pets have a happier healthier life. What should happen instead is people should be allowed to take their pets wherever they want. If the people don't control their pets properly, they should face the legal consequences.
SonnyDog09
Sun, Jul 22, 2012 : 12:59 p.m.
If everyone stayed home all the time, nothing like this would have happened.
jcj
Sun, Jul 22, 2012 : 1:48 a.m.
There will be a lawsuit,but the sad parts is people that own dogs like this usually have nothing else they own. At least nothing that would satisfy the lawsuit!
stevek
Sun, Jul 22, 2012 : 2:20 p.m.
Very well put. My wording would have led the comment to be removed.
pseudo
Sun, Jul 22, 2012 : 12:46 a.m.
As I heard it, there were 3 dogs involved and the agressor broke away from his owner's control 3 times and was successful in killing one of the other dogs and injuring the other so badly that it died or was put down. It must have been horrific for everyone there. The solution is that people should control their dogs and realize what kind of dog they can successfully physically control the animal. There are already laws about this. Blaming the victims (human or canine) as mean and unfair. Owners need to chose dogs they can control - both physically and mentally. They need to control the dogs they have chosen. So, do tell, the agressor in this case - so strong it broke away from control a number of times to kill the other dog(s)... retriever? lab? poodle? bassett? beagle? What breed/type was it?
YpsiBarry
Sun, Jul 22, 2012 : 4:17 a.m.
It was a pit bull. It was placed in a location - and unsupervised at the time of the attack - that was ill-suited for a breed known to be aggressive toward other dogs, even if this particular one might have been 'good with people' as so many like to excuse.
Dog Guy
Sun, Jul 22, 2012 : 12:15 a.m.
Was either of the dogs one of those kind, gentle pitbulls of which there are so very many in Washtenaw County? I refer to the ones that A2.com commenters keep only for the baby to play with. If so, the other dog was clearly the aggressor
jcj
Sat, Jul 21, 2012 : 11:56 p.m.
Maybe we should all send a get well soon card. Then again maybe not.
stevek
Sat, Jul 21, 2012 : 10:36 p.m.
Here is a solution---Don't bring your precious dogs where there are gatherings of people. Not everybody loves your dogs as much as you do.
YpsiBarry
Sun, Jul 22, 2012 : 4:31 a.m.
The dogs that were hurt and possibly killed didn't have a problem at the market. They were very friendly and my infant son enjoyed them being there a lot. They were well-socialized dogs that were not a problem to anyone there. This incident happened in the parking lot and basically the nearby park..not the market itself. Some people could have just parked in that lot to take their dogs (or kids) for a walk at the park and not go to the market at all. That dog's location essentially blocked safe entry and exit to anyone going to the park without having to drive 1000 feet to the next. The article doesn't give much info to go on, unfortunately, but maybe we can hold back on being judgmental about everyone taking a dog out in public with or without all the details. However, I do agree with you in that the violent dog had no business being in public at all, let alone a high traffic area where people take their dogs or small children.
Ann English
Sat, Jul 21, 2012 : 11:40 p.m.
I was wondering why anyone would bring their dogs to any Farmers Market. So soon after finding out that people bring their BABIES to theaters. One talk radio host said years ago that people today thought they had to take their babies everywhere they went (reflecting on a mother who locked two of her small children in her car during the summer, while she got her hair done. They died from the heat). So now I'm wondering if many people think they must or should take their dogs everywhere they go. No central air conditioning or concrete basement? It wasn't that hot today.
xmo
Sat, Jul 21, 2012 : 10:32 p.m.
Lets start getting tougher Dog Laws! How about a 14 day waiting period and a background check! People don't bite dogs, Dogs Bite people!
clara
Sat, Jul 21, 2012 : 11:48 p.m.
or dog free zones so we will never have to worry about dogs at certain venues!
City Confidential
Sat, Jul 21, 2012 : 10:19 p.m.
Witnesses have stated that there were two dogs attacked, with both suffering serious and/or fatal injuries. The police didn't mention the other dogs' conditions?
YpsiBarry
Sun, Jul 22, 2012 : 4:13 a.m.
The other dog was relatively fine compared to what it did to the other dogs. The only injuries it may have suffered were due to bystanders trying to force it to release the other dogs, which took great effort. I'm sure it will be fine, and will receive a much more humane death than what seems to have become of its victims.