Page 26 | Parking when there are dogs around

TheQuirkyMaker · 2026-02-02T08:05:22+00:00

I was in our local park yesterday, talking to another dog owner, when an SUV swept in right beside us, halted, and reversed into a parking space. As it reversed, I slapped it on the roof. The driver jumped out, angry, and I think was ready to give^ me^ a slap. I said the car park was empty (it was, it serves about 200 cars) and he had no need to park next to us and potentially hit a dog. He said he was parking near the skate park for his children, and our dogs should be on a lead (they weren't). They are elderly, obedient little dogs, and don't need to be on a leash but they are little and could be hit by a car. I told him to "F--- Off" and felt okay at the time but couldn't sleep last night for worrying who was in the right. Was I the unreasonable one?

Fulmine · 02/02/2026 09:00

TheQuirkyMaker · 02/02/2026 08:50

My little collie is dying of old age, and the park we were in was the one we used to go to 12 years ago. Things have changed, she doesn't jump about and need restraining because she is excited. We are both elderly, creaky joints, maybe I was just angry at the world.

Show quote history

If she doesn't need restraining, presumably you had left her somewhere where she was safe anyway? If you didn't, that's solely your fault.

Judystilldreamsofhorses · 02/02/2026 08:58

This thread is one of the most bonkers things I have ever read on Mumsnet. Yes, you were being totally unreasonable.

Sparrow7 · 02/02/2026 08:58

I think you are getting a hard time here when I would also been annoyed. There could easily have been small children by you that are also hard to see from these huge SUVs.

JoyintheMorning · 02/02/2026 08:57

SanFranBear · 02/02/2026 08:34

You told someone to 'Fuck Off' in front of their kids... classy!

Not nice at all. So don't expect our sympathy.

Fulmine · 02/02/2026 08:57

TheQuirkyMaker · 02/02/2026 08:18

I don't agree. Of course he can park where he wants, but his children could walk 50 meters to the skate park if they were physically able to use it. Run over a dog to make a point that he doesn't like them?

Show quote history

Don't be ridiculous. You know nothing about him or his children. He might have a disability himself, for instance. But, as people keep pointing out to you, he doesn't have to have a reason for parking in an available space. There is absolutely nothing in your post that indicates either that he doesn't like dogs or that he was trying to run over them.

Honestly, can you really not see how unbelievably arrogant it is to believe that you are entitled to control where other people park, just because you you have dogs which you can't be bothered to put on a lead?

BMW6 · 02/02/2026 08:56

You were - and still are - 100% in the wrong OP.

He did NOTHING WRONG and you aggressively slapped his car and swore in front of his children.

Classy. Not.

Newthreadnewme11 · 02/02/2026 08:56

TheQuirkyMaker · 02/02/2026 08:23

No it was just random parking in a huge empty car park. He just rolled near us and reversed without looking. From the viewpoint of the posters here, I think it was deliberate- perhaps he was angry about dog shit in the park (I always clean it up) and wanted to make his feelings plain. For dog lovers, dogs are sometimes our most cherished company, which non-dog-lovers never understand.

Show quote history

Why do you think he wasn’t lookng? Even if he wasn’t using mirrors there was every chance there was a camera inside. My not remotely glamorous car - at least 8 years old - has one

unbelievablybelievable · 02/02/2026 08:56

With or without dogs, people who stand around chatting in car parks are idiots. Move to the side!

IsawwhatIsaw · 02/02/2026 08:55

Op you are getting a kicking here.
But thinking about this, my concern is for you.
You swore and hit this man’s car. Sounds like he didn’t react, but next time, you might get full aggression back from someone.
just think about , put your dog on a lead.

SunnyViper · 02/02/2026 08:54

You are lucky you didn’t get a crack OP.

PacificState · 02/02/2026 08:54

TheQuirkyMaker · 02/02/2026 08:50

My little collie is dying of old age, and the park we were in was the one we used to go to 12 years ago. Things have changed, she doesn't jump about and need restraining because she is excited. We are both elderly, creaky joints, maybe I was just angry at the world.

Show quote history

I think the fact you lay awake worrying is a good sign OP. It’s normal to be in the wrong sometimes. Every single person on this thread will have been wildly in the wrong at least once in the past year.

Worrying about it is your brain’s way of acknowledging you need to think about what you can do to avoid this next time. Sometimes I need to actively think to myself ‘OK pacific, you’re in a fucking terrible mood today so you’re going to need to tone all your reactions down by about 50%’

Starlight1979 · 02/02/2026 08:52

TheQuirkyMaker · 02/02/2026 08:50

My little collie is dying of old age, and the park we were in was the one we used to go to 12 years ago. Things have changed, she doesn't jump about and need restraining because she is excited. We are both elderly, creaky joints, maybe I was just angry at the world.

Show quote history

What about the other dogs? Because you refer to multiple dogs being off lead in your OP?

Changename12 · 02/02/2026 08:52

TheQuirkyMaker · 02/02/2026 08:34

It is genuine. I just don't know if I was right or wrong. Obviously, my dog should have been on a lead, and the driver could park where he wanted.
And my dog is my responsibility. I know all this.
I just could not believe a car would come into an empty car park and decide to reverse park right next to us. He passed 200 spaces, and then screeched to a halt and banged his car into reverse so close I could give his car a slap. Why the fuck would he do that?

Show quote history

When we take our grandchildren out we always pick a car parking space that involves the least walking in the car park. This is because it is safer for them. Car parks are dangerous things. If we park next to another car in an empty car park then so be it. Put your dogs on a lead in a car park. I don’t have a dog but my friend does and even though her dog seems to have perfect recall the dog gets put on a lead when in a car park.

Cosyblankets · 02/02/2026 08:51

TheQuirkyMaker · 02/02/2026 08:50

My little collie is dying of old age, and the park we were in was the one we used to go to 12 years ago. Things have changed, she doesn't jump about and need restraining because she is excited. We are both elderly, creaky joints, maybe I was just angry at the world.

Show quote history

If she was on a lead she would have been right next to you.
It's that simple
I'm not saying she's going to run anywhere. I'm saying she needs to be stood right next to you in a car park because you never know if there'll be an idiot driver

Rainbowdottie · 02/02/2026 08:51

TheQuirkyMaker · 02/02/2026 08:50

My little collie is dying of old age, and the park we were in was the one we used to go to 12 years ago. Things have changed, she doesn't jump about and need restraining because she is excited. We are both elderly, creaky joints, maybe I was just angry at the world.

Show quote history

The condition of your dog doesn’t really matter. You have got this spectacularly wrong. I think taking the stance that you’re angry at the world, is a better one.

Starlight1979 · 02/02/2026 08:51

TheQuirkyMaker · 02/02/2026 08:23

No it was just random parking in a huge empty car park. He just rolled near us and reversed without looking. From the viewpoint of the posters here, I think it was deliberate- perhaps he was angry about dog shit in the park (I always clean it up) and wanted to make his feelings plain. For dog lovers, dogs are sometimes our most cherished company, which non-dog-lovers never understand.

Show quote history

A dog lover who loves their dog so much that they don't put it on a lead in a car park?!

I have 3 dogs and am a MASSIVE dog lover (more so than people most of the time) and I would never let any of my dogs off lead near cars, no matter how well behaved they are. Because I don't want them to get run over.

perhaps he was angry about dog shit in the park (I always clean it up) and wanted to make his feelings plain

No OP, he wasn't angry about the dog shit in the park when he hadn't even got out of his car yet. He was angry about you "slapping" his car when he was driving.

WTAF?! Are you drunk?

Gobacktotheworld2 · 02/02/2026 08:51

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

TY78910 · 02/02/2026 08:51

TheQuirkyMaker · 02/02/2026 08:13

Okay, maybe I was in the wrong. But an empty car park? Why decide to park near other cars anyway? And little dogs wandering around?

Show quote history

Clearly the cars already parked there were there because it was closest to where they needed to be. So the extra car followed suit and also parked closest to where they needed to be. A competent driver can slot in between other cars.

YABU for first having your dog off the lead in a space where they will encounter traffic and other people and even more so for your behaviour.

MyballsareSandy2015 · 02/02/2026 08:51

Was your dog in the car park?

Original poster

TheQuirkyMaker · 02/02/2026 08:50

Cosyblankets · 02/02/2026 08:39

I'm a dog lover
Just about to put my well behaved dog in the car to go to the park
He'll stay on the lead until we're away from the car park
Because I won't put him in danger
Because I'm a dog lover

Show quote history

My little collie is dying of old age, and the park we were in was the one we used to go to 12 years ago. Things have changed, she doesn't jump about and need restraining because she is excited. We are both elderly, creaky joints, maybe I was just angry at the world.

OP posts:

Thanksforyourlackofthought · 02/02/2026 08:49

Why have you actually started this thread? Lots of people telling you you’re wrong but you’re still coming back with I don’t know if I was right or wrong. He didn’t hit your dog but you hit his car.

Waitingformychinesetakeaway · 02/02/2026 08:48

I just don't know if I was right or wrong.

You’ve already decided you’re right.

You are in the wrong. He can park where the fuck he likes. Maybe keep your dogs away from the car park.

Starlight1979 · 02/02/2026 08:48

TheQuirkyMaker · 02/02/2026 08:34

It is genuine. I just don't know if I was right or wrong. Obviously, my dog should have been on a lead, and the driver could park where he wanted.
And my dog is my responsibility. I know all this.
I just could not believe a car would come into an empty car park and decide to reverse park right next to us. He passed 200 spaces, and then screeched to a halt and banged his car into reverse so close I could give his car a slap. Why the fuck would he do that?

Show quote history

It is genuine. I just don't know if I was right or wrong

You were wrong. And I say that as a dog owner.

HTH.

fiorentina · 02/02/2026 08:47

I do always find it fascinating that people choose to park right next to other cars in near empty car parks.
But you are being unreasonable to have your dogs loose in the car park however old or well behaved they are.

Teaandtoastserveddaily · 02/02/2026 08:46

You sound absolutely unhinged, OP 😂