[K9-Lovers]

Okay Skyguy, I'll give it a go.

1. Tbugs: Have you seen another at the squares using a mobility scooter? Just a yes or no will do.

I'm not Tbugs, but YES I have seen others at the squares using mobility scooters.

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?

Depending on the circumstance, it could be the fault of either. If the scooter operator moved backwards slowly, and if the dog was on a long leash and therefore not fully under control of the owner, it would be the dog owner's fault. However, if the scooter operator knowing that it was a very crowded area, moved quickly without first checking peripheral vision, and backed into a dog that was standing closely to its owners feet, then I would say it is the scooter owner who is at fault.

All that said, a scooter backing over a dog is highly unlikely because a dog's hearing (unless it is deaf and old) is far superior to a human's. Therefore the dog would hear the motor no matter how silent we think it is and quickly move out of the way. A dog is also very aware of their surroundings and any movement, as they are either hunters or prey, and would quickly notice the movement and scoot out of the way. More likely, the scooter operator would back over a small child before backing over a dog because of these reasons.

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?

Most dogs chase cars and bicycles because they go fast, and the instinct to chase prey is activated. Scooters don't go fast enough to activate that instinct. Especially if the square is crowded, I doubt a scooter operator would be driving full speed. Also, dogs are required to be leashed, and by the time the dog was ready to chase, they would reach the end of their leash. Therefore, by the time the scooter built up enough speed to activate a chase, the length of the leash would keep the dog from chasing and/or biting.

4. Should I deny myself the use of the square just because of the above situations I've stated?

No. The situations you've described are highly improbable. Use the squares without a second thought to those scenarios.