I saw a dog walker punch a dog today

[baublegirl454]

Was out walking my two in our usual woods. One a quiet path when a dog bolted past me going down the hill - not unusual, most dogs are off leash and enjoying the squirrel opportunities. After a minute or so I happened to glance behind me and 50 yards or so away I saw the man with the same dog. He was holding it flat on the floor and then he punched it in the head 😡 he then continued holding it down, then he glanced up and saw me. I stood for a while in shock and then I turned and walked on. I wanted to say something but was scared as I was alone and on a path with no phone reception. When I got to the top I saw some women ahead so I called them and told them what happened. They waited with me. When he came up I asked what the hell he was doing - he said 'You didn't see what you thought you did, I didn't punch him, I just pulled my arm back' This is total crap and I said I know what I saw and it was cruel. He said the dog needed to be punished & it was none of my business, then he walked off. I shouted that the owner wouldn't be happy (I recognised him as a dog walker I had talked to a few weeks back). He said the owner would be fine. I am so horrified, I was shaking and felt sick. I have called the local dog warden but they haven't called me back. Should I call the police? It will just be my word against his.

[FiveStoryFire]

That's awful. Well done for confronting him. I think I'd call the RSPCA?

[OrangeHue]

That is horrible, you did the right thing by saying something to him. Is there anyway you can find out who the owner is? Does the dog have a collar on with a number? Ultimately, this person should not be walking dog and should be reported, to who I’m not sure. Hoping someone with more knowledge pops along soon

[FamilyOfAliens]

Do you know the owner? I’d be contacting them. What a scumbag.

[OrangeHue]

Ps, did he say the owner would be fine (with him punching the dog) infront of the people you were with? If so, it’s not his word against yours..

[Soubriquet]

If you do know the owner I would tell them immediately

[avocuddl]

Oh no! This was literally on rip off Britain this morning and the owner got a successful prosecution because they had video evidence. I don't suppose there's any way of finding out the owner so you can tell them. This morning they had reported it to the rspca and they dealt with it but the only way they were able to prosecute was because of the evidence. How awful 😔

[baublegirl454]

Sadly I don't know the owner, but I know it's a rescue from abroad as I've chatted to him previously (& thought he was a nice man!).
I have found out his first name and phone number but no other details. Sadly the other women I spoke to ive never seen before. I'm so frustrated and angry, he shouldn't be looking after anyone's dogs

[Overthegardenfence]

If you google dog walker in your area with the phone number you should be able to find out who he is , what his business is called or wether he works for a company. From that info you could phone his company or if he works for himself you can find his Instagram or webpage on there he might have posted pics of the dogs and the dogs owners might have commented, maybe you could find the owner this way ?

[baublegirl454]

He was talking to me a few weeks back about how he doesn't have to advertise as he's really busy just by word of mouth.

[Fairylea]

If you have a local community Facebook page I would be tempted to post something there. It will probably get deleted if it’s anything like ours as you’re not allowed to name and shame people but not before lots of people will have seen it and hopefully won’t use him for dog walking. You can always create an anonymous Facebook account to do it if you’re worried about him knowing who you are.

[Boristhecats]

How have u got in with this situation.

[Confusion77]

I would post on any local Facebook groups, asking if anyone with a foreign rescue dog who uses thus dog walker can get in touch with you. Make a second profile if you're worried. But I'd absolutely want to know about this if it were my dog.