A routine outing to Paw Park of Historic Sanford on Monday ended with a 12-year-old rescue dog badly injured, a 91-year-old owner shaken, and a family now pressing the city to crack down on safety at the popular downtown spot. Relatives and neighbors say the park has drawn repeated safety complaints and are calling for cameras and tougher enforcement to protect small dogs and elderly handlers.
Inside the Dog Park Attack
Cindy Martin told local reporters that during her mother's regular visit, two large dogs, a Great Dane and a white husky, charged at Rocky, her mother's corgi-chihuahua mix, and the husky latched onto his hips. "Two dogs came charging towards my mother's dog," Martin said. Bystanders tried to pull the animals apart but could not immediately stop the attack. Rocky was rushed to an emergency veterinarian, underwent surgery, and is now recuperating with staples and medications, as reported by WKMG ClickOrlando.
City Response And Park Rules
In a written statement to WKMG ClickOrlando, the City of Sanford Parks and Recreation Department said it is reviewing the incident and that "Ensuring that our parks remain safe and enjoyable for all visitors, both people and pets, is a priority for the City of Sanford." The city noted that Paw Park is a self-regulated facility with no attendant on duty and reminded users that dogs must be leashed when entering and exiting, must be legally licensed and vaccinated, and that aggressive dogs must be removed immediately if they show threatening behavior.
Sanford Police data provided to News 6 show officers responded to Paw Park 10 times in 2025 and 19 times so far in 2026. After Monday's attack, police say an officer took an informational report.
County Animal Services And Next Steps
Seminole County Animal Services handles animal-related complaints, bite responses, and licensing for the area. Its website offers reporting forms, licensing information, and contact details for residents who need to document an incident or check requirements.
The county shelter also outlines quarantine and bite-investigation procedures that can follow a serious attack and provides guidance on vaccination and licensing that can affect enforcement. Residents can find forms and non-emergency contact information on the Seminole County Animal Services site.
Neighbors Push For Cameras And Clearer Enforcement
Martin said her social media post about the attack quickly drew responses from neighbors who want camera monitoring, more frequent patrols, and better signage reminding handlers of park rules. She has filed a police report and is urging anyone who witnessed the incident to come forward.
Regular park users told local reporters they want clearer enforcement when large or overly aggressive dogs arrive at the off-leash area and for the city to consider options, from camera coverage to periodic staff oversight, to cut down on future risks. City Parks and Recreation asks anyone with information about the incident to contact the department at 407-688-5000 ext. 5423.
