Dog owners were irresponsible
On March 8, while I was walking on the Indian Head Rail Trail, between Middletown Road and White Plains, nearing Mile Post 12, two large dogs left their property and charged at me. The last thing I remember was yelling “back, back” while I tried to call 911. I remember talking to someone, who I thought was 911, but I later learned I had actually called my husband.
I lost my memory. Everything that happened after that until my husband said he was taking me to the hospital, is lost to me. I don’t remember walking to White Plains and meeting my husband there, or driving home. The first thing I remember after the dogs, is my husband telling me we were going to the hospital, and the panicked look on his face.
After arriving at Holy Cross Hospital, I was given a CT scan and blood work up. The initial diagnosis was transient global amnesia. I followed up with a neurologist the following day. It ended with me having to have a MRI, EEG (electrodes attached to my head), and TCD and carotid test (sonogram of my left and right temple and neck), all done to rule out anything serious. On April 5, I learned that all the tests showed that everything is normal.
While I’m extremely pleased with the test results, I am equally upset for having been put through this experience. All because an irresponsible dog owner thought it was OK to let their dogs run free on their fenceless property that backs up to the trail. If that owner, for whatever reason, does not have a fence on their property to contain their dogs, then they should stay outside with their dogs.
The worry and anguish that my family and I have experienced over this has been stressful. Additionally, I have incurred significant medical expenses. Last, I am now fearful of using the trail. I have been walking on the trail since 2009. It is something I loved doing and had reached a point where I was walking 9 miles, at least three times a week. It had been wonderful for my health. I don’t know if I will ever be able to return to the trail alone, and that’s unfair to me.
I am sharing my experience in hopes that it will help dog owners understand the importance of being responsible with their pets, and considerate of others. Please make sure your pets are contained on your property for the public’s safety, as well as the dog’s safety.
Shirley Perez, Waldorf