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AIBU?

over this dog owner's reaction

27 replies

vickibee · 16/05/2016 12:25

On sat evening DH, me and DS (aged 9) were walking back from our local rail station. My son was skipping and singing on a safe footapth a few yards in front when a staffy ran from its owner and attacked my son. it was growling and showing its teeth, grabbed hold of and shook his trouser leg. The owner shrieked and the dog let go and ran back, the walked up their garden path and went in as if nothing had happened. my son was very upset but there was no actual injury apart from a small brusie. I called after the dog owner and asked why it want on a lead and was to to F* off. Should I report this as apotentially dangerous dog? we know where she lived

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TheNaze73 · 16/05/2016 12:27

Yes, this was an unprovoked assault

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MattDillonsPants · 16/05/2016 12:27

Yes report them. I say this as a dog owner! If my dog did such a thing I would be devastated but also consider that perhaps I wasn't the right owner for him.

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MilkTwoSugarsThanks · 16/05/2016 12:27

Honestly? Yes.

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srslylikeomg · 16/05/2016 12:27

Yes I would report this 100%

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vickibee · 16/05/2016 12:30

I am a dog lover generally and realise that most behaviour issues are the fault of the owmer and not the pet. this could have been so easily prevented by a lead.
Is it a police matter? or a civil matter not sure waht the law says, I would hate for the dog to be put down or anything like that

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WreckingBallsInsideMyHead · 16/05/2016 12:30

Yanbu at all! Maybe you would be if the dog had simply bounced up and wanted to play (although I understand this can be scary and upsetting for some people), but growling and tugging clothing is absolutely not on. Maybe if the owner had apologised and asked if your son was okay, while holding tightly to the dog and putting it back on its lead, I could forgive them, but an owner that's not bothered is worse than the behaviour of the dog tbh.

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maz210 · 16/05/2016 12:31

Yes, definitely report. They're obviously not bothered that the dog attacked your son.

If you're in two minds about it just imagine how you'd feel if next week the dog attacked another child but did worse.

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silverpenny · 16/05/2016 12:32

Yep report it. Next time the dog could seriously injure someone.

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harryhausen · 16/05/2016 12:33

My god yes report. Outrageous. (I don't know why I feel the need to say but I'm a dog owner too).

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vickibee · 16/05/2016 12:33

I know if he had been a younger child it could have been so much worse, he is strong and could stay n his feet - i dread to think what would have happened if he had fell to the floor.

so do I report it to the police? will they actually do anthing about it?

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Godstopper · 16/05/2016 12:33

I'd report (I say this as a Staffy owner).

My dogs are trained to sit and wait for their treat when people walk past, or to simply, you know, carry on walking. Sadly, I think you can tell where this dog gets it from judging by the owner's attitude. What if the dog did it to, say, an elderly person whose skin will break much more easily? Or a toddler? Anyone else in fact. It looks like a substantial risk.

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Lumpylumperson · 16/05/2016 12:33

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Oldraver · 16/05/2016 12:35

Yes I would report, though when I did (both DS and OH were chased and nipped on two occasions) I was fobbed off as it seemed too much for the police to be bothered with.

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Lumpylumperson · 16/05/2016 12:35

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

LyndaNotLinda · 16/05/2016 12:36

Yes, please report

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vickibee · 16/05/2016 12:38

Perhaps an officer talking to her may just do the trick but South Yorks police are not great!
We had had a great day out too, our team won their paly off semi final 3 nil so we may be going to Wembley. My son was singing Que sera sera! perhaps the dog didn't like his singing!
I will ring 101 now

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vickibee · 16/05/2016 13:01

called 101 - have an appt later to make a statement, howver have to travel 20 miles to do it as our local station (1/2 mile) has closed dur to budget cuts. I said I didnt rally want to prosecute just to make the owner aware that it was logged and be more careful

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MatildaTheCat · 16/05/2016 13:04

Is there a dog warden for your area? They would take it up for you, I think.

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vickibee · 16/05/2016 13:07

our local authority is Barnsley - I will look on their website for information. Thanks

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LostMySanityCanIBorrowYours · 16/05/2016 13:12

The trouser shaking thing sounds like play, tbh. I know two equally annoying terriers who do this while also growling and generally being manic, tiny pains in the arse however strange dogs should not be allowed to engage strange children in uninvited games of tug the trousers.

YANBU to report it.

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vickibee · 16/05/2016 13:16

it did appear to be aggressive, it was showing its teeth and snarling. They are really string dogs with strong jaws! It has taught my son to be wary now as he thinks all dos arefriendly and nice and always pets one when we meet them after we have asked the owner of course.

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isupposeitsverynice · 16/05/2016 13:29

Yeah you have to report it. It would be really rubbish if the dog had to be put down, but ultimately that is a better outcome than a child getting hurt.

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LyndaNotLinda · 16/05/2016 21:14

Well it could be play but how is the OP's DS supposed to know that? A strange dog growling and baring its fangs is horrible

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Kitty3E · 16/05/2016 21:16

Omg i hope your sons ok. Yes report it.

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Ameliablue · 16/05/2016 21:21

Yes report.

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