08-03-2009, 03:37 PM
It would be impossible to handle this situation perfectly. Your son was injured by a dog and you encountered a man who was indifferent to the notion that his loose dog might frighten others. People sometimes have peaceable dogs off leash -- and they don't understand that you may have a history of being attacked by loose dogs. This really is a problem and the fenceless culture of Hawaii exacerbates it somewhat. But really, it's everywhere. I worry about it somewhat. My dogs are my kids and I want them to safe. Your kids are your kids, and I want them to be safe too. Leashes and, yes, breed restrictions are the way to go. And treating a dog attack the way you would any human assault is also the way to go. In most cases, the dog would not attack but for the depraved indifference of his master.