A morning jog in Cottage Park, located in the 4700 block of West Eclipse Blvd. in Rockford Hills, turned into a terrifying experience for a woman who was attacked by an off-leash dog while running in the popular park on an early October morning.
The victim, whose name is being withheld, was running with her headphones on, listening to music, when the dog unexpectedly lunged at her from behind. She said she never heard the animal approaching and was caught completely off guard as the dog jumped on her, knocking her to the ground.
“I didn’t hear a thing until I felt something hit me from behind. It was so sudden, I didn’t have time to react,” the victim recalled. “I just remember the dog pushing me down, and then I was on the ground, struggling to get away.”
The woman suffered minor injuries to her face and arms in the fall, including scrapes and bruises, but she was treated at the scene by paramedics. Despite the physical injuries, she described the emotional trauma as being the most unsettling part of the attack.
“I’m still shaken up. I run there all the time, and now I can’t stop thinking about what could have happened if the dog had been more aggressive," she said. "I’m lucky it wasn’t worse, but I never want to go back there again without knowing that I’m safe.”
According to reports, the dog involved was off its leash at the time of the attack, in direct violation of park rules. Multiple signs throughout Cottage Park clearly state, "DOGS MUST BE ON LEASH," a regulation the park’s management enforces for the safety of both visitors and pets. The dog's owner, however, was reportedly not paying attention to the animal during the incident and did not intervene until after the attack occurred.
The victim has since announced her intention to sue the dog’s owner for the injuries and emotional distress caused by the attack. "This shouldn’t have happened," she said. "The owner was negligent, and now I have to live with the trauma."
The City of Los Santos Parks Department is conducting an investigation into the incident, reviewing surveillance footage from the park and speaking with witnesses to determine whether the owner could face any legal consequences. The department also reiterated the importance of adhering to leash laws, which are in place to protect parkgoers, particularly in areas like Cottage Park, where foot traffic is high.
“We take incidents like this very seriously,” said Karla Moreno, a spokesperson for the City of Los Santos Parks Department. “Our goal is to ensure that all visitors, whether on foot, bike, or with their pets, can enjoy the park safely. We will be investigating the details of this attack thoroughly and taking appropriate action.”
The dog in question has not been apprehended or reported to be aggressive in previous incidents, but its owner could face fines or penalties for violating park rules. Depending on the outcome of the investigation, the dog’s owner could also be held liable for the victim’s medical bills and pain and suffering, should the lawsuit proceed.
As for the victim, she remains uncertain about when or if she will return to the park. "I don’t know if I’ll ever feel comfortable running there again," she said. "It just feels unsafe now."
The City of Los Santos Parks Department reminds all pet owners to comply with leash laws and keep their dogs under control in public spaces. “It’s important for everyone’s safety that pet owners are responsible,” Moreno added.
Anyone with information about the incident or who may have witnessed the attack is urged to contact the City of Los Santos Parks Department.
