For years, my husband and I have taken in abandoned cats and older, rescue dogs with medical problems who have been abused and/or neglected. Most recently we adopted Nova, a 7-year-old Shar-Pei/pitbull mix who has had two masses removed, has separation anxiety and leash reactivity. She is very sweet and she and our most recent cat rescue, Max, have bonded.
Because of Nova’s leash issues, we have enlisted a trainer to help us learn how to appropriately walk her. She is always leashed on these walks.
On July 15, Chris was walking with Nova on a leash in the middle of the street on Millbrook when a dog bolted from its backyard and attacked Nova. We took her to the ER and surgery was done to close up the wounds. Nova will endure two weeks of recuperation. Not only was this event traumatic for us and the dog, it set back the multiple days of training that we have done at considerable time and expense.
Please do not allow your dog to be outside without a leash no matter how sweet he/she might appear to be.
Salt Lake County has laws that require dogs to be leashed when outside on residential streets (county code 8.06.020). The exceptions are designated dog parks and local canyons on even/odd days. Millcreek municipal code also requires that a dog bite be reported to the division of animal control within 24 hours (8.06.030).
Laurie Holland and Chris Abbott, Salt Lake City