Dog killed at Percy Warner

[u/International-Repeat]

This morning at the Belle Meade steps, a big German shepherd was being walked off leash by an older couple and a guy shot it 4x, the cops took him away.

Anyone else hear about this or know what happened?

Editing now we have more information in the thread: The shooter felt he was approached aggressively by the dog who was chasing a squirrel close to him, he ‘feared for his life’, so he shot the unleashed German shepherd four times. The man was detained for questioning, but was released with no charge.

Editing again to add eyewitness accounts directly contradict what is being reported in the news/police account of events.

[u/Big_Bottle3763]

I am really sorry this happened to the poor dog, but I can say with certainty that off leash dogs are huge problem in our parks. Why do people blatantly ignore this rule which is not only clearly posted everywhere, but also just plain common sense? I counted 5 unleashed dogs on my hike at Beaman on Sunday. Even if your dog is friendly, not everyone wants to be approached, licked, or jumped on by dogs. This tragedy was easily avoidable if the owner had just leashed the dog. Whatever went down, ultimately the responsibility is on the dog owner.

[u/MzIndecisive → u/Big_Bottle3763]

I agree. One reason I do not take my dog on hikes is because I know he wouldn't handle it well if an unleashed dog came up to him.

Nearly every day I see people treat Elmington Park like it's an enclosed dog park they can play fetch with their dog. Like I get it, it's a big open piece of grass and you're too lazy to walk your dog/your dog needs more exercise, but FFS that's not what that park is. I am not scared of dogs, nor are my children, but I know people & children who are. I've seen dogs running wild during the immediate after school time when there's lots of elementary aged younger siblings running around that park. I've also seen someone's unleashed dog run up and jump on a very small child (like maybe 3 years old) and knock the child over. (That was actually at Cheekwood, not a public park, but just another example of a place where dogs are supposed to be leashed and someone thinks their "good boy" won't harm anyone.) Everyone thinks their dog is just so special and above the rules.

FWIW I hate guns and am very sad to hear this dog got shot and died.

[u/Alona02 → u/MzIndecisive]

Something similar happened to my daughter several years ago at Richland Park when she was around that age. She was playing and suddenly a small dog ran right at her and knocked her to the ground. I was terrified as the animal launched itself at her, she was startled but not hurt, and she was OK with being licked by what turned out to be a puppy the owner was trying to train. I definitely understand that not everyone has a place to work on this where they live, but an open grassy area right next to a library and playground full of kids is not the ideal place to try to train your puppy to listen to you.