Awareness of this incident has been important due to the fact that as this was an unprovoked event, this incident could have happened to a hiker, another dog, or child.
This is not the first attack by aggressive dogs on other dogs or hikers at Runyon Canyon this year. The vast majority of Runyon dog owners are responsible. We need your help educating and encouraging those that are not responsible to become more responsible.
With your help in proactively taking efforts to "know your dog" and encouraging others to abide by laws of the park, we hope this event will be the last. If you see a dog owner being irresponsible, please speak up and encourage them to follow the laws posted within the park.
As in the case with Delilah, dog owners will be held responsible for the actions of their pet. It is important that you "know" your pet before bringing it to Runyon Canyon.
If you have a new dog or have just adopted a rescue animal, take time to learn the animal's temperament and establish a verbal command control relationship with the pet before introducing it to Runyon Canyon (and certainly before taking it off-leash).
The opening entrances (all three) to Runyon Canyon are NOT off leash and fines can exceed $180 which cannot be paid by mail (court date is required). If you are not sure which areas are on-leash vs. off-leash, ask other hikers for guidance (however signs are posted).
If your dog is in any way aggressive or vicious, by law (LAMC 53.34) it may not be brought to Runyon Canyon (or any Los Angeles dog park). Additionally under LAMC 53.34, any dog that exhibits aggression in the park must be immediately removed from the park (you cannot continue on your hike).
In the event of a dog bite or injury to a human or another animal, the owner of the offending dog must provide current tag information, name, and phone number to the victim (LAMC 53.29, 53.38). Bite victim's should report the incident and collected information to the central Ranger's station at (323) 644-6661, General Service Police at (213) 978-4670, and Animal Services at (888) 452-7381.
Please note the intent of this notice is to prevent any additional incidents. For Runyon Canyon to remain an off-leash dog park, these incidents cannot continue.
(Facebook - May 29, 2012)
