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Original poster

Parking when there are dogs around

738 replies

TheQuirkyMaker · 02/02/2026 08:05

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?

OP posts:
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Original poster
TheQuirkyMaker · 02/02/2026 08:23

PacificState · 02/02/2026 08:17

Every car park has spaces that are ‘better’ than others (usually near the entrance). You’d clearly parked in one of those favoured spaces yourself! Why didn’t you park somewhere quieter if you wanted your dogs to wander around off lead?

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.

OP posts:
Dartmoorcheffy · 02/02/2026 08:23

When I drive to the park with my dogs i don't let them off the lead until we are on the grass away from the car park.

gototogo · 02/02/2026 08:22

Plus if it was 50 yards from the next spot it wasn’t an empty car park was it

Noshowlomo · 02/02/2026 08:22

This is wild.
Your off lead dog is 100% your problem. Very irresponsible to have it off lead in a car park

Bonkers1966 · 02/02/2026 08:22

Another entitled pet owner

Tableforjoan · 02/02/2026 08:22

Clue is in the name car park. Not dog park.

If you are that worried about your dog being ran over have them on a lead and don’t mill around in a car park chit chatting with off lead dogs. Go into the field or sit at a bench.

yabu

gototogo · 02/02/2026 08:21

When I had a dog i always parked on one side of the car park assuming space so i didn’t have to cross the car park, perhaps this car did the same, i even had a preferred space, you be there wouldn’t have stopped me as I liked that spot. Yabvu

MrsBennetsPoorNervesAreBack · 02/02/2026 08:21

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

You can disagree all you like. That doesn't make you any less wrong.

Yes, he could have parked further away, but he didn't want to, because he preferred the space that was closer. You did not own that space.

Learn to control your dogs properly, and learn to control your temper.

ChurchWindows · 02/02/2026 08:20

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

You've made up 'he doesn't like them.'

PacificState · 02/02/2026 08:20

Sorry OP (cross posted with you) I suspect you’re going to be in for a kicking here and I don’t want to pile on any more, but I do think you need to think about why you went straight to bashing someone else’s car. I get in middle-aged-lady rages quite frequently, but we don’t actually have a right to ruin other people’s days when they’re just doing entirely normal things.

PurpleCoo · 02/02/2026 08:19

My dog is a gundog breed, super well trained, knows absolutely loads of commands and is off lead most of the time. However, I would never leave him off lead in a car park or when street walking. It's just common sense!! That's with a larger dog that's easy to see as well, never mind a little thing. Why tempt fate?

Rooroobear · 02/02/2026 08:19

TheQuirkyMaker · 02/02/2026 08:16

Thanks for the reasonable response. It was an empty car park, built to park about 200 cars. Why sweep in and reverse near the only two other cars there?
It wasn't through longing for our company.

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You have to be a troll mate!! He parked there because he wanted to and it was a legitimate space. You were completely in the wrong

ChurchWindows · 02/02/2026 08:18

For your dog's sake it would be best either to put them on a lead and/or get out of the car park pronto.

I expect you had a sleepless night because you were worrying what would have happened if he'd hit one of your dogs. Don't put them in that position again and you'll sleep better.

You're dicing with danger for your dogs, but also if you go around slapping cars and telling people to fuck off you might find yourself in trouble one of these days.

Smoosha · 02/02/2026 08:18

TheQuirkyMaker · 02/02/2026 08:16

Thanks for the reasonable response. It was an empty car park, built to park about 200 cars. Why sweep in and reverse near the only two other cars there?
It wasn't through longing for our company.

Show quote history

It’s annoying when people park next to you in any car park yes. But that’s all it should be. Annoying. A quick eye roll and move on. He’s allowed to park there even if it’s annoying. It’s your job to keep your dog safe. There might be a reason he wants that space. Less walking across a car park small children. Possibly the same reason you wanted to park there with your dogs.

Original poster
TheQuirkyMaker · 02/02/2026 08:18

MrsBennetsPoorNervesAreBack · 02/02/2026 08:15

It might have been empty, but it was still a car park. Not a dog park. And he was entitled to park in any empty space.

Was this a one-off reaction or do you often behave like this? Sounds like you might need some help with your anger management.

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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?

OP posts:
MrsBennetsPoorNervesAreBack · 02/02/2026 08:18

TheQuirkyMaker · 02/02/2026 08:16

Thanks for the reasonable response. It was an empty car park, built to park about 200 cars. Why sweep in and reverse near the only two other cars there?
It wasn't through longing for our company.

Show quote history

It's fine to think that you would have parked somewhere else. But he parked in a legitimate space, and that was his prerogative.

I can't believe that you told him to fuck off in front of his children.

Rooroobear · 02/02/2026 08:17

They also don’t need a reason to park where they want if it’s an actual space. Even if he turned up alone to go for a walk he can park where he wants in a car parking space. People don’t have to justify their actions their in the right

PacificState · 02/02/2026 08:17

Every car park has spaces that are ‘better’ than others (usually near the entrance). You’d clearly parked in one of those favoured spaces yourself! Why didn’t you park somewhere quieter if you wanted your dogs to wander around off lead?

IsawwhatIsaw · 02/02/2026 08:16

He’s not responsible for keeping your dog safe. That’s your job.

Original poster
TheQuirkyMaker · 02/02/2026 08:16

PacificState · 02/02/2026 08:12

Yeah, don’t go around banging people’s cars (unless they are about to run someone over and you need to get their attention in an instant.) It’s an absolutely surefire way of making someone furious with you. And while it’s annoying when someone parks up next to you in an empty car park, it shouldn’t send you into an uncontrollable rage. And if your dog isn’t on the lead in the car park, that’s on you. (I sometimes don’t put mine on the lead in car parks, but I know I’m the one at fault and it’s up to me to be alert about what drivers are doing!)

Thanks for the reasonable response. It was an empty car park, built to park about 200 cars. Why sweep in and reverse near the only two other cars there?
It wasn't through longing for our company.

OP posts:
PrizedPickledPopcorn · 02/02/2026 08:15

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?

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They shouldn’t be wandering around. Do you drive? The cars parked on that side because they wanted to. Maybe the other side was muddier, or they sensibly wanted their dc close to the path/gate so they aren’t wandering in the car park like your dog.

MrsBennetsPoorNervesAreBack · 02/02/2026 08:15

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

It might have been empty, but it was still a car park. Not a dog park. And he was entitled to park in any empty space.

Was this a one-off reaction or do you often behave like this? Sounds like you might need some help with your anger management.

stickydough · 02/02/2026 08:15

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?

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Because his life and choices weren’t revolving around you? He wanted the least amount of walking with his young children?

Rooroobear · 02/02/2026 08:14

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

You were in the wrong. If he parked in an actual space he has the right to park there. Dogs around or not. Even if there were lots more spaces, they can park where they want in an actual space. I’d have been fuming at you too if you’d have slapped my car without cause!

PrizedPickledPopcorn · 02/02/2026 08:13

Friend’s dog was run over last year. She still thinks the driver was unreasonable. Her dog wasn’t on a lead, walking with her alongside an access road, and dashed under the car.