This is a story on the treatment of a customer at a privately owned business in Fishers. 

When you approach Pierson Bark Park, in Fishers, IN, you will see many happy and jovial dogs with their owners romping in the grass, walking along the path or playing in the pond.  I joined this bark park around February of 2011.  I had recently moved to the Fishers area and was excited that there was such a beautiful and serene puppy park for my two border collies.  (Now you see why a puppy park was needed...)  I had been a member of the Broad Ripple Bark Park for a few years, but moving to Fishers caused me to look for other resources in the area for my dogs.  I researched and found Pierson Bark Park. 

I immediately went there with proof of vaccinations for both of my animals.  I bought a membership, which was more than I had expected, but the area was beautiful and I would pay more for the surroundings being so.  I have taken my dogs there consistently since February.  Then, things changed.  I recently took them to the park when the weather had finally cooled off so they could enjoy playing with the other dogs.  I walked them into the park and off they went.  They sniffed and did their business and greeted other dogs.  I was walking around with them when my feelings about the management of this park changed.  There was a young girl there with her dog, an australian shepherd.  I didn't find out until later that it was their first day at a dog park.  My dogs went over to play and that's when it happened. 

The dogs all sniffed each other and then one of my dogs and her dog got into somewhat of a nipping incident.  Her dog nipped at mine, mine nipped at hers, which lasted seconds. They were separated and I went on with our business to the other side of the park where we stayed for another hour with the other dogs with no issues.  Well, the issue had already happened.

  When my dog nipped at hers, mine got her dog's lip and created a small puncture wound.  One of the managers, "Andy" came over to me and asked if my dogs were all up to date on their vaccinations.  I replied happily, "Of course!"  He then goes on to explain that my dog had caught the lip of the other owner’s dog and if it was ok if he gave her my number so she could contact my vet to get confirmation of their vaccinations from the source.  I agreed, went over to the young girl, apologized for the incident, offered my assistance looking at the small puncture being in the nursing field, in which she replied, "No, that's ok."  We stayed at the park for a while after that... with no issues. 

Now, this is a dog park, so you sign a release form when you get your membership knowing of the risks of bringing your dogs to an unleashed park.  I have been to many dog parks, and guess what, dogs get into little spats and then go on with their business, just like in this situation.  I have never seen two dogs get into a brutal fight to the point of major or even minor injury at any puppy park in which I had even been.  After our fun filled day at the park with the miniscule incident we went home. 

A few days later I received a call from the young woman stating that she talked with her vet and the vet said that it WAS NOT necessary for her to bring in her dog to be checked and that a little antibiotic was suggested.  She then proceeded to give me the price of the antibiotic and asked for me to pay for it.  I was a little confused because my dogs have been nipped at, had the same thing happen and I take care of it on my own.  If my dogs get hurt, I take responsibility for them and they go to the vet and I pay whatever is needed to get them back into tip top shape.  This is a dog park and things happen.  Dogs play, they get rowdy, they get in spats, but most owners know if their dog is a problem they won't take them back. 

Needless to say, I had been going to this park about six months now with no issues.  I told her I was sorry about what happened to her dog, and explained why I would not cover the cost.  I then called "Andy" at the bark park.  I told him about the situation.  He immediately stated back to me that I was not taking responsibility for my dog and I was causing him to lose a customer and he would have to pay her vet bills etc... But, he gave the young girl a month free admission, and had no vet bill to pay.  So, technically he still didn't lose a customer, and if he had to pay for the antibiotic, it would be about $40. 

Memberships plus the gate fees for two of my dogs is quite expensive.  He yelled at me angrily on the phone about his business and how he couldn't talk anymore about the situation because he was having lunch with his daughter.  I told him, I understand, but this is a business and I am the customer who has paid and been loyal to their company and expected just a little respect with the situation.  He hung the phone up.  I then called my vet, to get advice on the situation.  My vet explained that with any dog park there is risk of injury.  Whether two dogs are playing and one scratches the others eye, of if a group is playing and a dog get bumped out of the way and sprains a leg, or if two dogs nip at one another and one gets a puncture on the lip.  That is the risk you take among others at any dog park.  They said that in this case, my dogs had been there for six months, the young girl's, one day.  There's all the information you need. 

I received a call back from Andy at the park and not expecting this says, "I have decided to end your membership.  Based on your (my) reaction, I don't think this is a problem that is going to go away.  Thank you for business but unfortunately we can't do any more."  Pierson Bark Park may be beautiful and serene, but their management lacks a genuine care and concern for their customers and run this business for one reason, to make money. 

As a loyal and paying customer, and having been there for six months I feel like my membership should not have been cancelled.  The manager did not find any solution to the problem other than kicking myself and my two dogs out, who had never caused any altercations in the past.  Yet, this girl, who had been there only a few minutes, on one day, had no repercussions and is allowed to stay there even though her dog was equally at fault.  If my dogs and I were removed from the park then the same should have happened to her and her dog being that both parties were at fault.  Instead, she has received one month free and is allowed to go the park.  I feel my dogs and I should be reinstated to attend this park and if not then I would like my fee prorated and returned from the day I was kicked out of the park to the end of the membership. 

Dog parks are a wonderful addition to any community.  They should be owned and operated by individuals who know how dogs interact with one another and should treat situations like these with more care and understanding.  This owner treated a customer not as a person, but as someone who he could discard at a moment’s notice without working to find solution to the problem.  When business owners do not take the time to effectively solve situations, any individual can see that they are not in the business for anything but the bottom line.  I wonder where he learned his business practices and why he feels he can treat a loyal customer this way.

I know with a Bachelor’s degree in management, that’s no way to treat any individual or paying customer.  I know with a Master’s degree in education, you cannot treat any parent who is upset with you as their child’s teacher like this.  And now, as I finish my BSN in nursing, I know you cannot treat any patient or family member, at any time, no matter what the situation, like the way this owner treated his “patient.”  Who do you think was out of line in this situation?