Organizers of the Labor Day Doggy Dip at the Dormont Pool say they plan to make changes in next year's event after one of the dogs escaped from the pool and was run over by a car.

A 6-year-old Rottweiler-pit bull mix escaped from the fenced pool area, ran out onto Banksville Road and was struck by a car. The dog was rushed to a nearby veterinary hospital, but was euthanized because of the severity of injuries.

"This was a terrible accident, horrible for everyone involved," said Gretchen Fieser, director of public relations at the Western Pennsylvania Humane Society. "This is a tragedy."

Proceeds from the second annual event are split between the Humane Society and Friends of the Dormont Pool. About 500 dogs participated, with owners paying $10 to 15 per dog.

The Humane Society had two employees and 13 volunteers staffing the event. Dormont had more than six lifeguards and other staff on duty.

Two Humane Society volunteers were stationed at a large exit gate, which was partly open to accommodate owners and dogs who left before the 8 p.m. end of the event.

But shortly after 6 p.m. the Rottweiller-pit mix, who was not on a leash, bolted through the gate.

A "loose dog" announcement was made over the public address system. The dog's owner ran to the parking lot, but did not get there in time to catch her dog.

"She feels terrible. She feels guilty," Ms. Fieser said, and she does not want to talk to the media.

The woman adopted the dog five years ago from the Humane Society.

Next year the pool exit will be "double-gated" and at least one of the gates will always be closed, Ms. Fieser said.

Volunteers and staff also "will be a lot stricter" about policing dogs and owners, ejecting dogs that are aggressive or running out of control.

Little dogs generally stay in the shallow waters, many of them on leashes.

Big dogs swim in the deep water unleashed and away from owners.

That part of the event went well, both years.

Several problems occurred on the pool deck and in grassy sunbathing areas where some large dogs ran loose.

One leashed dog bit an unleashed dog that was playing "fetch" with its owner.

Four people reported dogs with bloodied paws.

Kim Hoffman, a Doggy Dip organizer and member of the Dormont recreation board, said the floor of the pool was resurfaced earlier this year and is rougher than usual to avert slipping and sliding by swimmers.

"Most people were pleased with the event," Ms. Hoffman said. "It is a lovely fundraiser. We are heartbroken" about the dog that died.

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