[skyguy79]

Originally Posted by Tbugs

I am a full time resident and spend several evenings a month at Lake Sumter Landing. Personally, I love seeing the dogs there. I have not seen dog poop anywhere there, have not seen aggressive dogs there, nor have I seen people acting afraid of the dogs.

I did see a little child, though, cause an injury to a lady who was dancing. The child was running unsupervised in the dance area and during a fast dance, the lady had to step back real quickly to avoid stepping on the child, turned real quick and tore her ACL muscle in the leg.


Never seen that with a dog.

I have only been to the squares four times in my short stay at TV and I must say that I too love seeing dogs and petting them if I get a chance. However I'd like to ask a few questions of those who have dogs and like to take them to the squares:

1. Tbugs: Have you seen another at the squares using a mobility scooter? Just a yes or no will do.
2. On a scooter, the user needs to backup sometimes and must do so because they are blocked from moving forward. In backing up there is a blind spot area behind them. If the driver of the scooter backs up thinking all's clear and hits and injures a dog, and assuming it's a busy day, is it the scooter operators fault the dog was hit or is it the fault of the dogs owner for bringing the pet into a busy area where the chance of this is greater than when it's not busy?
3. If the dog reacts to the scooter like they sometimes naturally do with autos and winds up biting my leg sending me into months of pain and suffering, (my legs won't heal anywheres near as quick as it would for most people) is it my fault for wanting to enjoy the square like everyone else, or is it the fault of the dogs owner for either bringing the dog into a crowded area or not having it under proper control?
4. Should I deny myself the use of the square just because of the above situations I've stated?

Now there is no need for anyone to answer any of these questions if they don't want to. It's not my intention to put anyone on the spot. (pun unintended) It is my intention to again bring these points to peoples attention and for them to think about how there is more to this issue than just ones right to bring their pets on busy days if they chose to.

One more thing... if you do bring your dog to the squares, busy or not, please make sure to take special percautions if you do see me or anybody else in a mobility scooter or a motorized wheel chair. Also don't let your dog approach someone in one of these vehicles until or unless they have somehow shown you it's ok to approach. After all, most of us in this situation do love your sweety-poos (pun intended) and would like a chance to give them the attention they are usually looking for... unless of course it's Fumar setting up a trap.