Wantage Dog Park — Attraction in Wantage

DO NOT, I REPEAT DO NOT TAKE YOUR DOG HERE. Me and my dog were attacked unprovoked by a pitbull whose owner was sitting in the chairs they have there 100+ feet away, chatting with no knowledge of the whereabouts of his 86 lb potential lethal weapon off leash on a crowded day at the park with 40+ dogs there. ZERO supervision. My dog was almost killed. I could have been more seriously hurt as well. My dog was tired from being at the park playing with other dogs for over 2 hours so he was sitting at my feet while I was chatting with a lady in the agility section. We were the only ones there in that far section of the park. As we were chatting I noticed something close out of the corner of my eye and looked to see a pitbull had appeared and was sitting 5 feet from me and my dog, who was sitting leaning against my shins as he does. No owner, or any other person anywhere near. He did not make a sound nor appear aggressive when I first looked down at him but in a millisecond and without warning he lunged at my dog, pushed him 10 ft away out of my reach and pinned him with his jaws on my dogs throat. I instinctively dove at the pitbull to save my dog without thinking and was bit severely. I didn’t care as I had freed my dog and got him in my arms only to be knocked down by the pit bull trying to get my dog again. He gets my dog back in his jaws so I scuffle trying to get at the dog again. While all of this is going on no one helps or is even aware. No owner even calling their dog. The owner did not even see it or know what happened! I was bit severely on the left hand requiring stitches along with multiple cuts and bruises in the process of trying to free my dog while the owner was having social hour. After the pit bull got my dog in its jaws the second time he started to run away and drag my dog and rip his throat apart more. I tried again to free my dog sustaining damage. FINALLY at this point someone noticed and ran at the pitbull screaming and beat the living daylights out of it to get it to let go of my dog, which it finally does and I scoop up my dog but in my panic to get away I make the mistake of running (my dog was severely injured in my arms and couldn’t really think straight) so Im then chased and jumped on by two Rottweilers trying to get my dog in my arms too. Knocked down again and I finally get a voice to yell for someone to get the dogs off me as I’m trying desperately to shield my dog which eventually someone does and I exit the park. I later found out the Rotts are SAME OWNER not controlling his dogs! Not one person from the park who saw what happened walked out to help me or ask if me or my dog was OK, everyone scattered. Someone in the lot handed me a towel to cover my dog in my arms as I walked to my car. I reached my car in actual shock and thankfully a man leaving saw that I was unable to function and not in a condition to drive and without hesitation jumped in my car and drove us to the hospital. My dog sustained serious injuries, ear to ear laceration and it was a miracle we got him free before he was killed. I later found out that two people who tried to intervene were also bit by this dog. It’s a shame because the park itself is nice and the majority of the people and owners in there seemed responsible and nice. I chatted with and met many nice owners for hours that day as our dogs played nicely; who, like me, were close to their dogs and monitoring at all times. BUT, I have since learned others have had issues at this park and agree, too many owners not monitoring their dogs or bringing aggressive dogs. The park is NOTORIOUS for bad owners not following rules. This incident is not isolated, including other pit bull attacks occurring at this park. Sadly this warning is too late for my pup’s suffering but if I can share this story and warn even one person to not have to go through what me and my dog went through I will continue to share. Its not worth the risk, please think twice before visiting any dog park. I wish I had been warned...

The few couple times that I’ve been here have been pretty good but this last time there was a group of people sitting in chairs, talking amongst themselves. No one watching their dogs (the rules state that you have to watch your dog at all times), blowing smoke into other people‘s dogs faces including ours (the rules say don’t smoke), Since no one is watching their dog, there have been a couple occasions (other than this one because it also happened this time) where a dog attacks another dog and the owner doesn’t even realize because THEY ARE NOT WATCHING THERE DOG they would rather sit and socialize. It also states in the rules that if your dog becomes aggressive, you must leave and they don’t. So basically what this is stating is no one is following any of the rules that are provided for our safety and their dogs safety. If you do decide to come here FOLLOW THE RULES AND WATCH YOUR DOG AT ALL TIMES. People’s actions are ruining this place, I personally will not...

Best dog park in NJ! The only one that has water for dogs to drink & small pools for dogs to play, make friends with each other. No dog fights around water play. When dogs can drink & play they are safe from heat issues; some dogs want to cool down year 'round. Dog owners get along well here, not gather in cliques as in other parks. Only problems: 1) although poop bags are placed in sev'l places some people don't pick up afte even though they have see their dogs doing it, 2) big dogs have been brought into small dog park and mainke our visit unpleasant when the policy is politely told. Some small digs are in danger or afraid in the big dog park but no one regulates the park, 3) visitors often don't put the requested $1 donation in the barrel when leaving Stuart Baker said some give mass donations directly to the park, some for $1000s, but so many??? Makes those who pay feel taken unfair advantage. Still,...