A trip to a San Francisco dog park turned violent Thursday, when a man was caught on camera as he kicked a dog and was then tackled by witnesses.
The scuffle at Duboce Park began when the owner of a basset hound went after a black Labrador.
Hal Fischer said he grabbed the dog by its collar “really hard. She freaked out,” and a “tug of war” ensued.
Other dog owners come to the woman’s aid, but the man kicked her dog “really hard” when she tried to leave the park, Fischer said. Bystanders were shocked and “that really set people off,” he said.
Witnesses confronted the man and called police, but he fled before officers arrived at the scene.
Jon Kim said he started recording the incident because it was escalating.
“I was worried about her safety,” he said. “I didn't think he'd kick the dog.
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Kim, whose video alarmed dog park regulars, added that everyone was “really scared” because the man was acting “crazy.”
Witnesses say the dog involved in the incident did not appear to be hurt. But Fischer delivered a strong message to the basset hound’s owner.
“I went up to him and said, ‘Don't come back to this park,’” he said.
Police and San Francisco Animal Care & Control officials are now investigating the incident. Once identified, the man who kicked the Labrador could face animal abuse charges.
