CHOKE, PRONG & TRAINING COLLAR WARNING!

Tuesday, March 9, 2004 11:39 PM
Subject : Tragedy at Paw Park of Sanford

I am absolutely numb as I write this letter, as witnessing the
senseless death of a gentleman's "best friend" this afternoon at Paw Park in Sanford. The culprit was not a dog fight, as may be ones first thought, but a dog being choked to death by a choke collar.

Minutes before, this playful dog was having a wonderful time with another canine companion when the other dog's lower jaw became entangled in the choke collar. The more they tried to separate, the more entangled they became. By the time their human counterparts discovered the problem, the choker was so tight there was little anyone could do to separate them but frantically search for a bolt cutters. And we did, but to no avail. I even tried calling 911 for help, but they would not assist because humans were not in danger.  We were finally able to locate a pair of cutters across the street at the automotive shop, but we were too late, as the dog had already suffocated.

I am repeating this story so those of you that bring dogs into the dog park, will realize the dangers of choke collars (or pinch collars), when dogs are playing. PLEASE!!!! learn a lesson from this preventable tragedy and leave your choke or pinch collars at home!   They are dangerous and outlawed in a dog park setting.

The owner was absolutely devastated, as were the witnesses to this tragedy. For those of you that find it in your heart to send some words of comfort to the owner, I am collecting Emails and will forward them to the gentleman involved. You can forward these to me at info@pawparksanford.org

Thanks for listening.

/s/
Mike Knipfer
Friends of our Paw Park
www.pawparksanford.org

Read the memorial to this dog by its owner by clicking here.

ALL ABOUT CHOKE, CHAIN, PRONG AND TRAINING COLLARS
By Susyn Stecchi

A choke or chain-type collar (with or without prongs) can be an invaluable training aid for you and your dog.  Used properly, a choke chain is both humane and effective.  Used improperly, choke collars are both ineffective and dangerous.

I'm not going to teach you how to put these collars on your dog or how to train your dog with it.  What I am going to talk to you about is that these collars are not permitted in dog parks, and I want you to understand why this rule is in place.

A choke collar means no nonsense.  Your dog should only wear the collar when it is training time.  No matter how dashing, it is not apparel for everyday wear.  You use the collar when you are actively training your dog (the dog park is not a training ground for your dog, despite what some might think).  Putting the collar on your dog should tell your dog, "You need to pay extra attention to me for what we are about to do next."

Do not use the collar on every day, meandering walks, when the dog is unsupervised or without a leash attached.  A choke collar CHOKES.   An unattended, unsupervised or playing dog could get caught on something and then choke him or herself.

Please let the tragic death described above drive this point home.   Choke collars should only be worn during an active training session; at all other times, put a regular, non-slip collar on your dog -- PLEASE!  And do not bring your dog into the dog park with a choke collar on; dogs are required to wear regular collars (non-slip or non-choke) with their dog tags on them in the dog park at all times.   Now you understand why this rule was in place.  Don't let this dog's death be a wasted one -- learn something from it for the sake of your own dog.  Your dog will thank you for it.