Neighbour fall out

YADNBU
I like dogs but why the f@@k do some owners think it’s fine for them to run and jump on people is beyond me.
They are so f@@king ignorant.

I adore dogs, I prefer most dogs to most adult people (I also adore children), not including my own family and friends of course.

I think that the neighbour was completely out of order, of course she shouldn't have let her dog even approach a child, and certainly not one in a wheelchair or pushchair.

My DH and I are too old to have another dog now, especially as neither of us are in great health, and we wouldn't want to die and leave the poor dog without us, or to have to rehome them, so that's that.

Walking our dog by a river, or across country, or in a park, nearly anywhere in fact, used to be a lovely part of sharing our lives with a dog. But if anyone walks a dog in popular and busy places, whether the place is busy with mainly just other people/families, or other dog walkers, they should keep their dogs on a very short lead.

Hence, if going somewhere that is often a very popular place, we used to go at the times we knew were the quietest, otherwise we went to different locations, ones that weren't so popular. They were maybe too far out of the way for most people to want to venture there, or not considered as pretty as a walk by a river?.

If someone keeps their dog's lead tight enough when being approached by strangers, the dog cannot do anything but walk to heel anyway.

My mouth almost dropped open when I read your last sentence above @Dottiedodah. I can't really form the right words to express how amazed I was to read:

"Not the best place to go as every other person has one [dog]!"

Really, are you that entitled/arrogant/oblivious or thoughtless, to think that if someone doesn't have a dog, or has the temerity to dislike, or to be scared of dogs, that they should not be allowed the pleasure of a stroll by a river?

It is up to the dog walker to ensure that their dog does not cause another person, or animal, to feel fear, or even discomfort, by having let their dog's nose within biting - or licking - distance of anyone else, even if they know that their dog is the most gentle dog in the whole country...

I agree. I love dogs and don’t mind them coming up to, or jumping at, me.

But dogs should be on the lead when there are members of the public around, especially children or wheelchair users, who can’t easily avoid a dog being in their face.

There could be many reasons a dog jumping up could cause harm. Some people have been attacked by a dog while young, and it could be very triggering. Wheelchair users may have a breathing tube that could be knocked out or be prone to infection, so a dog breathing and salivating in their face could be risky.

OP, your neighbour should be apologetic about their dog and for laughing. You should be apologetic if you were rude or abusive, and for shouting at her, though it’s understandable in the moment, given your fear of dogs and having a child in a wheelchair. Plus, her laughing.

If you’re worried about neighbourly relations, go and explain the reasons for/apologise for your reaction. Not that you should have to explain IMHO. If she’s not equally conciliatory, there’s not much else you can do.

I would have been mortified if my old dog had jumped on someone in the way you describe, it's basic manners isn't it, train your dog not to jump up at/on people, especially anyone in a wheelchair. It doesn't mean the dog is vicious or is going to bite, but it does mean that you as the owner, aren't in control of the dog and that is not acceptable and (for the dog lovers) could actually be dangerous for your dog !

Where do you get that idea? I love dogs, but I don't think it's right for dog owners to let their dog jump up at people, particularly not children. It's so disrespectful. It has nothing to do with liking or hating dogs and everything to do with good dog ownership.

That is a ridiculous statement. I love dogs and think the dog owner was completely in the wrong for having an uncontrolled dog off leash.

I have two well behaved dogs who do not jump on anyone. However, if they did, I would be utterly mortified, horrified and extremely apologetic. Most reasonable dog owners would react in the same way.

Definitely not unreasonable.

I don’t hate dogs but I also don’t love them. I hate when dogs come up to me uninvited, trying to lick me or their claws catching my skin - or worse my clothes and/or tights! It makes me want to yell some expletives so I can only imagine how it felt, it happening to your daughter! Do you want to salvage a relationship with your neighbour? If so, apologise for your words but explain that it cannot happen again.

Don’t overthink it. It happened and shouldn’t have. Just have a none confrontational grown up discussion. Just call on her and mention that as she must realise, you panicked when the dog jumped on your child, hence the outburst. But if she could keep her dog on a lead in future when around your dc. Job done. Harmony returns..

Dog owner here and I would be absolutely mortified if any of mine jumped on anybody especially a child in a wheelchair…
Your neighbour should have apologised profusely, and taking steps to ensure it doesn’t happen again

Absolutely agree and I’m a massive dog lover too, but only of my own. I’m appalled the neighbour laughed! What if her untrained mutt had knocked over your child’s chair? Doesn’t bear thinking about. Couldn’t care less about breed, a Labrador/golden can do as much damage knocking over a child/vulnerable person as any other dog. I’d speak to her and say that definitively cannot happen again and she needs to control her dog. ‘Out of control’ from the Dangerous dogs act includes any out of control dog, not just xls roaming the land. If you or your child were in fear, it’s covered under the act. She could, if you reported it (and the threshold for doing so is quite low), then she would probably be offered a ‘community resolution’ ie she’d need to apologise and ensure that the dog is on lead.

I have 4 dogs.

YANBU your neighbour is a DH. Sorry this happened because it should not have happened.

There are too many irresponsible dog owners around. The law is quite clear you must have your dog under control and albeit that doesn’t require a leash per se it is absolutely common sense that that is one method of keeping your dog under control when in public.

Some owners rely on re call however that’s not good enough and jumping on a child in a wheelchair is horrendous op. I’m sorry that happened.

It’s absolutely your neighbours’ fault for not training or keeping their dog under control. You have every right to be livid — when our kids are in danger, we go into lioness mode, and good for you for standing up for yours.
I’ve got two dogs myself, and I’d be mortified if one of them ever did that. I’d totally blame myself and be round straight away with apologies 💐 🍫 🍰 .

Dog owner here 🙋🏼‍♀️ I’d be mortified if my dog jumped on a child especially one in a wheelchair, I would accept any vitriol from the parent and later apologise again when everyone was calmer.
Was your DC ok?

I work with people with disabilities.Yesterday I was out in the community with a lady I work with and an absolutely stunning looking dog walked by (completely under control) next to the owner but off leash. I looked up at my client smiling away ready to chat about how gorgeous this dog was and the terror on her face really made me think. She said dogs off leash are terrifying to her. It put things in perspective for me, as a dog person. Just because a dog is friendly doesn't mean people feel at all safe with it. The leash adds that extra feeling of safely for others even if you know your dog doesn't really need it.

Wrong.
I love our large bouncy dogs but would NEVER allow them to do this. Any responsible dog owner would not allow this to happen.
If by some freak accident they were not under control and got on top of a child in a chair (or even just frightened them) I would be falling over myself to make amends.
YANBU

As a defensive dog hater, you too would say that.

I could say all people who hate dogs are obviously weirdos. Would that make it true, because it's been my experience?

Not quite, that would be unworkable there are people who could feel genuinely threatened by a dog looking at them.

It would have to be a "reasonable apprehension" that the dog will, or might, injure a person. A dog being overly friendly might be grounds for those with a fear, to then feel it might injure them or others. But that doesn't mean it would be considered a "reasonable apprehension" for someone to have that belief legally speaking.

Of the 700 plus people who have voted, over 90% think op is nbu. According to you this means there are an awful lot of people out there who hate dogs. However I very much doubt it.

I don't even like my own dogs jumping up at me (one of mine gets wildly excited when I come home from a few days away). I'd be mortified if either of them jumped up at anyone, especially anyone infirm/disabled/very young.

Go and speak to the neighbour, as a pp right at the start of the thread suggested. Explain that you're afraid of dogs and while you understand that dogs are not robots and now and then things will go wrong, you'd very much appreciate it if she kept her dog on a lead until it's learned to ignore you and your DC.

I love dogs and my 45 kg hound but would always check his attentions are welcome before allowing him to approach anyone, much less a wheelchair bound child.

I think the laughers are embarassed by their dog's behaviour. Do call and clear the air though.

I hope you report her to the local council tomorrow...
And tell her you have done so if she kicks off at you.

Thinking about it

Its a private road

So what if any are the rules about using it and who enforces them?

If as I suspect its an 'Estate management' Company they may well - or at least should have words with your neighbour

I’m a crazy dog owner and I love them all. But, no dog should be approaching/jumping on anybody without permission. This is your neighbour’s fault.

If my dog did this to you I’d be mortified and so apologetic. You weren’t unreasonable or over-reacting, it was instinctive.

Dog ownership is a big responsibility and it’s up to owners to be responsible for their dogs. I hope your son is okay x

I like dogs…particularly my DD’s spaniel BUT I don’t want her leaping on me. There are some big dogs in my neighbourhood that I deliberately avoid as I simply don’t want to socialise with them. I have even crossed the road to avoid them but the owners still say ‘ oh, he’s friendly and only wants to say hello’. However, they just don’t get it, that not everyone loves their pooch like they do and I totally sympathise with the OP.
Responsible dog owners can control their dogs and will accept that other people don’t want them jumping at them.