Dog burst my son's football

Surely the price of the ball is irrelevant 😳 Was the dog owner aware of what was going on ???
Thats the question

It was obviously an accident. It's rubbish for OPs son.

He was "very apologetic".

I wouldn't give money or my details to a stranger in the park who was "very vocal" at me about an accident I'd already apologised for (several times by the sounds of it).

Honestly I would just move on. I'm not going to harass someone over an accident with a football. No-one was injured.

’Alexa, show me someone who…’?!

Goodness me, I hope this catchy phrase of yours doesn’t catch on🙄

I’ve only just got over confused.com

Oh god, poor DS and poor you too😢. I'd be gutted in your position, but I don't think that you could have actually done anything differently, really. I'm not surprised he didn't agree to pay either, it IS a lot for a football and lots of people just wouldn't believe it. I very much do as DD is very into her football, training 5 days a week and also playing at least one match a week in season. She has a lot of kit and a lot of it is bloody expensive. Her good stuff is absolutely not allowed at the park incase of exactly this sort of scenario; I know you should be able to, but it's probably best not to if it can't be replaced easily (same position here...).

Just what I was thinking!😳

The dog owner should have contributed to the replacement of the ball but I really disagree with some of the vitriol on here.

If people would just control their bloody dogs, these threads would be a lot less common.

I had dogs. I’d of never let them destroy someone’s property without reimbursing.

Im also fed up with dogs owners thinking they can never do no wrong leaving dog shite everywhere too these days.

Yes, just like every dog post that gets posted.

Some people on here are being ridiculous so far on this thread I've seen people saying:

1. Take photos and post on social media insisting shame and ridicule

1. Hang around the park threaten him on camera that if he doesn't pay up you'll go to the police (and then report it anyway) (I mean has anyone actually considered that's close to black mail?!)

1. If the owner can't afford to replace the ball he should have to sell his dog

Think some people just enjoy the idea of being nasty

You should have taken a photo.of owner and dog and put on local SM stating what happened. Shameful he lets his dog damage a child property then refuses to replace it. In my local park it states all dogs must be kept on a lead at all times.

I doubt it, especially if the OPs son has been kicking it around before the dog bit it...

This is going way too far.

Depends it could actually be worth more depending on the ball itself.

It was two years old so wouldn’t be worth £45 now anyway.

People don’t like the idea of a child being upset over having his present destroyed.

It’s a parents’ forum. We’ve all had upset children, we feel it in our hearts.

Some very angry people on here 🙄

No I'd want to know how he was going to pay it back. Nothing more, nothing less.
If he can't pay that then he can sell the dog he can't afford

And after that of he still refused yes I'd absolutly got for public exposure.

We had similar when the DCs were younger. Playing cricket in the park (cheap kids' set) and a dog appears from nowhere, picks up the ball and runs off with it. Owner appeared and tried to give the ball back but it was covered in slobber so I told him it's ok and he could keep it. He looked sheepish and walked off and that was that - game over. It doesn't matter what the object costs though. If your dog is going to go after other people's belongings they need to be kept on a lead.

I would be pissed off about this too OP. The ball was a birthday gift for your football mad little boy, which by the sounds of it he couldnt wait to try it out at the park.

Regardless of the price, your son should be able to take his football to the local park and play without a dog ruining the ball. Dogs should be kept on leads if they are likely to chase balls

OP said the dog owner could not afford to pay for the ball, and was very apologetic. Are you wanting him to self flagellate in front of her or something?

She also said she just wanted to vent (fair enough)... not ask how she could somehow punish this man more. I bet he felt mortified. If my dog did the same, I would too... and I would also not be able to afford anything other then the small change in my purse.

The kid is 5... they will get over it very quickly. An adult being shamed on FB is a whole new level, and is really not needed. It is bullying.

It is sad for your son who is only 5 and was very fond of his football. But luckily he is getting a replacement tomorrow.

The dog was friendly and playful and acted on its instincts.

The dog's owner was very apologetic, despite you being ¨vocal¨. He could have just walked away. He should have offered to pay for a cheaper ball, but he might not have been able to afford that either. Unless you wanted to involve the police, I don't think there is any point in demanding his name and address.

As for others watching, they would not want to get involved in a ¨vocal¨ argument, unless your child had been injured.

It is best to leave it as a vent and forget about it. Much worse things can happen unexpectedly.

The dog owner is legally liable for the damage caused by his 'out of control' dog.

In your shoes I'd hang around the park for the next few days with my phone at the ready to take his photo (plus dog) then tell him to pay up otherwise I'm reporting him to the police.

Then I'd report him anyway.

Can't stand entitled dog owners.

"

People encourage their dog to go after balls, because balls are a popular thing to throw for your dog. Balls for dogs are small enough for them to run about with, but to get a grip on a larger ball, a dog will bite down more so they can carry it about. If the ball is filled with air, it will get burst. No malice or aggression involved."

So completely irrelevant and completely highlights the self absorbed attitude of some dog owners. If your dog chases other people's footballs - it should 100% be on a lead in a park where there is likely to be people playing football.

That's just common sense.

If your dog chases balls and can’t be recalled quickly to prevent that, keep it on a lead! People don’t want your dog chasing their kids balls.

I don’t let my dogs off lead because one of them has poor recall and would absolutely chase balls or squirrels etc. The other could be around balls, squirrels, birds, sheep, other dogs, absolutely anything and wouldn’t chase any of them because she’s well trained, looks to us, and has fantastic recall.