Posted on 01/05/2014 6:27:09 AM PST by BenLurkin
DEL MAR (CBSLA.com) — A former mayor of Del Mar was killed on Friday when he was hit by an Amtrak train as he attempted to save his dog from the tracks.
The 75-year-old man, whose name has not been released, was reportedly walking his Labrador Retriever off-leash on a coastal bluff near the tracks, according to San Diego Sheriff’s deputies.
Witnesses suggest the dog may have been startled when the train’s engineer sounded his horn, which resulted in the animal panicking and running onto the tracks.
The man was struck by the train as he leaned over the tracks to grab the dog.
The dog was not hurt.
The man’s neighbors say that he was well-respected in the community, and that he had been mayor of Del Mar in the 1980s, in addition to being a political science professor at San Diego State University.
“He’s done this probably a million times, and for the train to come by like that, it’s tragic and we’re all kind of shocked because we’ve lived here for 20 years and (have) never seen anything like this,” a neighbor said.
“walking his Labrador Retriever off-leash”
Nothing to see here. Move along......
“........ because sit happens”
Off-Leash Fascination in Rural Areas
As a trainer I am often asked by handlers why their dogs won’t listen to them when they are off leash. The usual comments I hear are that their dog will ‘bolt’ when off leash or never come to them or just generally show no interest in the owners - preferring to do what dogs usually do and that is wander off, ignore the repeated calling of their name or chase after small animals and other prey (or skateboarders, or cars - you name it, they do it!).
Having originated in the ‘big city’ (Toronto) prior to moving to our paradise in the country, I was clearly unaccustomed to being repeatedly asked why this occurs with their dogs. No one in their right mind would allow their dogs off leash in a city (other than in leash free parks which I am firmly opposed to or in their fenced backyards). As soon, however, as city folk move to the country, they believe their dogs have a god given right to roam freely and be off leash without any regard to their safety. Furthermore, it is expected that their dogs will obey and listen to their every command - as if by magic - just because they are off leash!
I have decided to offer this write-up to both clients and other interested parties because I truly need to set the record straight and explain why this is so patently unfair and, indeed, an exercise in futility (not to mention a dangerous one for the dog itself).
http://www.spiritridge.net/Off%20leash%20fascination.htm
Gee, when I saw Del Mar and Track in the same headline, I thought it had something to do with horseracing.
That is a very sad story. RIP poor fellow.
Thx!
Why on earth are you opposed to leash free doggie parks?
We have a very nice one in our little town, and I think it’s the high point of the day for my two dogs. We actually don’t have a yard for them, so they are taken on a long walk in the morning, and have their afternoon workout running with their “friends” in the leash free doggie park.
Dog Parks
Why They Are A Bad Idea
by Ed Frawley
“I want to go on record as saying that the concept of “Dog Parks” was well intended but a bad idea, especially when dogs are allowed to run off-leash. The main problems all stem from people who don’t understand and have not established pack structure with their dogs. This means their dogs are out of control. “
http://leerburg.com/dogparks.htm
Boy the disdain you have for your customers makes you EXACTLY the type of dog trainer I’d want.
My dog loves the dog park. He has friends there and gets to say hi to a lot of humans.
Things like this happen for one simple reason. Most people are basically idiots when it comes to what was formerly known as "common sense". They just don't think very well.
Up the coast in Bodega Bay an entire family was wiped out because a dog was in distress in the surf.
The dog survived.
Sorry—I’ve been taking my dogs to the Dog park for at least 14 years now. If new folks show up and are not watching their dogs properly, the rest of us let them know immediately.
We can suggest they leave if their dog show signs of “not playing well with others”—and if there is still a problem, we have an animal control cop we can call, although I’ve never known that to happen.
There is a fence dividing the park into 2 sections—one for small dogs—but most of the smaller dogs play just fine in the big side.
The park is clean and well maintained—we are each responsible for cleaning up after our dogs, and no one has a problem with telling another dog owner that his dog needs cleaning up after, in case the owner does not notice that his dog is leaving a mess.
No, I think it’s closer to some people — especially those who have been around for awhile — remembering what it was like when we were a free people, and we did not live in rabbit warrens.
Yes, common sense and responsibility are both essential elements of being a free people. Perhaps this gentleman, while walking his dog, was just remembering those times, and that freedom, and forgot where he was and what year he was in.
Personally, I only let my dog run unleashed when we are in our backyard, or in a recognized dog park, or out in the boonies.
Sad.
Geez, no dog is worth dodging a train.
Like grabbing a football “fumble”, I raced to scoop up my dachshund puppy from being run over. It was close, but I’d do it again.
Retired Political Science Professor Louis Terrell:
http://www.neontommy.com/news/2013/11/obama-in-la-speech-dreamworks-highlights-economy-creativity
“...San Diego State University Professor Emeritus Dr. Louis Terrell, however, said he thought Obama would say something like, “We are moving forward: Less unemployment, stock market up to new peaks. Republicans have only been a negative force.”
Dr. Terrell said Obama is speaking about the economy in a state with and 8.3 percent unemployment rate, Dr. Terrell said, “Biggest State in the Union—California unemployment rate not an outlier. Very appropriate to use California as a launching pad for discussing the state of our country’s economy.””
My brother is a veterinarian and he agrees with your statements on dog parks. He also adds disease as another reason to stay out of dog parks.
Here spot. Here spot. SPOT!
Maybe the dog was using the tracks to find the polar axis for his next poop.
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