Sometimes life throws us a curve ball and our social responsibility goes out the window.
The pit bull attack story is a perfect example.
We don’t know all of the details, but why didn’t the pit bull owner stick around to see how badly the dog and its owner were injured? That would have been the right thing to do.
If your dog attacked another canine in a public park and also injured the dog’s owner, how could you leave the scene without saying anything? You are obligated to make things right, even if it is only showing a bit of compassion.
Unfortunately this incident has resulted in yet more bad press for the pit bull breed.
We’re not going to say that pit bulls are more aggressive than other breeds, but there are statistics and reports that suggest this.
Many people argue that it’s not the dog, it’s the owner.
If you own a pit bull or any other breed, we would certainly hope that you are confident that it will not attack other dogs and humans. If you aren’t certain, your dog should be wearing a muzzle, particularly in off-leash parks.
According to the animal control bylaw in Oliver, this pit bull in question is now an “aggressive dog” since it attacked another domestic animal and a person.
The bylaw also states that only non-aggressive dogs can be detached from their leashes in off-leash areas, providing they are under the direct control of a responsible person.
Furthermore, aggressive dogs must wear a muzzle at all times in a public place.
The park incident reminds us of another event that occurred near SuperValu and the Chevron station recently. According to a family member, a young man riding his bicycle was hit by a motorist. The cyclist wasn’t hurt badly but reportedly was in pain after the shock wore off.
The female motorist merely told the young man to get home safe and gave him $40 for his troubles, according to the family member. The driver then left the scene.
There may have been more to the story, but the right thing to do would have been to call the police or the ambulance. (But maybe the victim didn’t want that.)
It may not have been the driver’s fault, but social responsibility dictates that you make sure the victim is okay before leaving the scene. It’s also the law to remain at the scene of an accident. There could be internal injuries that are not visible, or a neck injury that doesn’t show up until later. The young man could have collapsed while carrying his bike home.
Sometimes these incidents can create an inner panic that can cloud a person’s judgment. It happens to all of us because we’re human, but it’s important to learn from these events.
