To the guy at Malden park on March 23rd who had the dog with a bell on its collar running free... Leashes are the law. You were nowhere to be seen and your dog was running around the park. There are families with small kids in there who may not be used to dogs. I am not saying that the dog would attack but I was always taught not to trust strange animals. I think the worst part of all of this was what you did when you called to your dog multiple times with your whistle...Yes it did take your dog a bit to find you as it wasn't near you on its leash, but that was no excuse to whip your FAITHFUL companion numerous times with its own leash that (gasp!) you actually had on your person. My kids sat there and watched you whip this dog until it whimpered in pain. Shame on you. You don't deserve to own an animal if you treat it that way. In my book that is abuse plain and simple. There are better ways to train your dog...