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Original poster

To have kicked an old man’s dog?

538 replies

itsme189 · 08/07/2026 12:37

This morning I was walking my 2 very small elderly dogs on lead in the woods near me where it’s nice and cool for them.

they love people but they don’t love when dogs run up to them and get all in their face, valid I wouldn’t like that either. If a dog on or off lead just walks past or gives them a quick sniff they don’t mind. I always tell people not to let their dogs come right up to them.
Theyve never bitten just growled and I just don’t want to risk anything.

there was an old man walking a large greyhound type dog off lead and he’s miles away from it it runs at us very fast so I stick my leg in front of my dogs and the dog doesn’t stop runs straight into my leg. He then excitedly throws his foot on top of my smallest dog he squeals in pain and my other dog starts growling and showing teeth.

so I picked them up and then the big dogs starts jumping up at me to get to my dogs so I kick it away.

Old man then starts screaming at me for “abusing” his friendly dog and a lady walking passed then said to him “I saw her kick the dog”

and now I don’t know if I did too much but I was so overwhelmed and worried it would become a fight and there’s no way my old boys would do well in that situation. To make it worse the lady made a post about it in our local Facebook group (luckily no pictures) and everyone’s saying awful things but they only know one side!

For the record the dog was not hurt didn’t even squeal!

OP posts:
Tamtim · 09/07/2026 05:36

I assume you mean you kicked your leg to stop the dog jumping on you, not that you gave it a big old kick to hurt it. I’m on your side. The only reason I won’t entertain getting a dog is because of other dog owners. Keep your freaking dogs on lead (it’s illegal not to here). I don’t want to be slobbered or jumped on and I LOVE animals. I love giving pats to well behaved dogs when the chance arises.

andthat · 09/07/2026 05:34

igelkott2026 · 08/07/2026 13:01

I don't think it's relevant what his age was. But all owners need to make sure their dogs are under close control at all times.

And if they don't make sure of that, and someone feels threatened and therefore hurts the dog in defending themselves and/or their own dogs, there's no use crying about it.

If your dog can't be trusted to leave people and other dogs alone, you keep them on a short lead. It's not hard.

This.

cannot stand dog owners who have no control of their dogs and then defend their stance.

pastadish · 09/07/2026 05:13

I love dogs I have had them my whole life but if an off the lead dog came up to my two like that I would probably kick it away. You don’t know how it’s going to escalate and I wouldn’t risk mine getting hurt.
I don’t want my dogs to be kicked so I keep them on a lead and don’t let them run around out of control, other people should do the same.

changedusernameforthis1 · 09/07/2026 04:33

YANBU. Obviously it's not ideal to kick a dog, but it sounds like a situation where you didn't have time to think it through and it could have escalated.

I have a dog and honestly, if mine was behaving like that and someone kicked out at her, I'd be apologetic over the fact that they needed to because I couldn't control my own dog.

If it helps - there's a can of compressed air called "Pet Corrector" you can buy online. I actually used it to train my dog (because she thought everyone she came across wanted to wear her 🙄) and it just makes a loud hissing noise when you press it.
Now I carry one around in case something like what happened to you happens to us - most dogs run back to their owners immediately. And mine looks at me, wondering what she's done wrong 😂

Lemonyyy · 09/07/2026 00:03

As a dog owner - the general etiquette is don't let your dog approach another dog if said dog is on lead. I thought that was pretty generally known and would put you fully in the clear here!

OonaStubbs · 08/07/2026 23:37

People should keep their dogs on leads unless they can control them. And control them means getting them to return to the owner on demand. You might love your dog but many other people do not and you should not let your dog run up and bother people who are just out and about getting on with their day.

Whammyammy · 08/07/2026 23:30

IntoTheRoseGarden · 08/07/2026 20:30

This is where we need VAR 4 Dogs.

Did your leg connect with the dog? Or did the dog connect with your leg? The difference is crucial to the vote.

My husband wears a body cam when walking out reactive dog to protect him from bs, same type police wear.
Police are not interested in dog v dog, just when humans get bitten, and have read stories on dog sites where people lie and claim dogs bit them ot were off lead!

If an off lead dog bounds up to ours, its days going to be very crap. 100% not his fault and always have evidence to prove. Its on the uncontrolled dog owner.
People need to control their dogs in public.

Croakymccroakyvoice · 08/07/2026 23:20

Some people really need to brush up on the dangerous dogs act...

"a dog may be dangerously out of control even if there are no grounds for reasonable apprehension that it will injure."

https://www.cps.gov.uk/prosecution-guidance/dangerous-dog-offences#_a03

The owner of the out of control dog is in the wrong. OPs dogs were on leads, or in her arms, so they were under control.

OP had scratches and bruising, her dog had minor injuries too. At this point it doesn't really matter if the dog's intentions were friendly or not. It was entirely reasonable of OP (assuming all happened as described) to try and end the interaction in whatever way she could manage at the time.

Dangerous Dog Offences | The Crown Prosecution Service

https://www.cps.gov.uk/prosecution-guidance/dangerous-dog-offences#_a03

BurtsBeefCrisps · 08/07/2026 22:21

You were not in the wrong. There’s some very ignorant comments on here. You had your dogs under control which is the law. This is all on the other owner who did not have his dog under control. You have every right to walk your dogs wherever you want as you arr abiding by the law. There’s thousands of dogs who are injured, elderly, reactive rescue dogs of previous bad owners who need rehabilitation and they can’t all book secure fields ffs! I am enraged on your behalf. I can’t wait until those on here who commented that way have elderly dogs as everything changes then and they have every right to a quiet and calm walk. The idea that an older dog in pain should put up with a bouncy dog 4 times its size in their size is plain stupid. I carry a spray with me for exactly the kind of idiot owners. Two weeks before my last dog died, I had exactly the same situation and it ruined one of the last precious walks I had with my boy. People need to read up on the law, so much entitlement!

Allisnotlost1 · 08/07/2026 22:19

itsme189 · 08/07/2026 21:47

I am happy to admit that in the moment I did not have time to think about all the many options I did not have treats, no corrective spray, sticks or spare leads. This is all good advice for the future.

im not going to keep repeating the same points if people aren’t going to read my previous posts. So here they are -

I shouted for the owner ALOT
I shouted LOUD at the dog a lot
My dog got hurt by said dog so I picked them up to protect them and prevent my other dog who was now in protective mode escalating the situation. He is the most chill out of the two unless you hurt his brother.
I turned my back on said dog and it jumped on my back and it was strong if I moved forward I would have been taken to the ground with both dogs.
I kicked backwards in blind hope it would get off me, I think I swiped a leg and it ran off.
it did not wince, cry or squeal and ran off fine at speed.
The witness did not try to help in anyway and only got involved after the dog ran off.
for that one poster no I have little upper body strength or any not really for any medical reasons I just walk for exercise and don’t life weights and I don’t see how that should be a requirement to walk 2 dogs who barely weigh a stone between them

my one dog is fine the other has a cut on his mouth/chin I have a vet assistant in the family so she popped round on lunch had a look and gave me some stuff to clean it with and told me to bring him in if he had any further symptoms luckily he does not.

Said vet assistant describes my dogs as people positive and dog neutral. They don’t absolutely love other dogs they know how to interact with them and they also don’t hate other dogs only ones that cross boundaries and don’t listen to warnings.

Not that it really matters but I have multiple scratches from the dogs claws on my shoulders/back and the start of a bruise on one shoulder. But I’m fine just got a bit scuffed up. A little unfortunate I was wearing a summer dress if I had a jumper on I doubt I’d have any marks.

i have no disdain for big dogs we have all sorts of dogs in our family. I would have been just was annoyed if it was a Jack Russel (although it wouldn’t have been able to reach much haha)

Crikey, quite the drip feed and now information which significantly changes the picture. Why didn’t you say all this before?

That sounds much worse and it’s understandable why you reacted as you did. I stand by the need to stay as strong as you can. It doesn’t matter that your dogs are small, as you’ve found today. Of course if you have medical issues that might not be possible. If the Facebook post is bothering you post what you’ve said here because it’s massively different than it seemed at first.

I hope you’re all ok.

Allisnotlost1 · 08/07/2026 22:10

BuildbyNumbere · 08/07/2026 21:47

And training your dog doesn’t stop it getting attacked by one that’s off lead and out of control.

Show quote history

Indeed, and fortunately neither of those things happened here, but there are still ways to minimise harm and it’s useful to know them rather than rely on everything always being as it should be.

nomas · 08/07/2026 22:07

FalseSpring · 08/07/2026 21:50

Many years ago I was walking my dog on a lead in a public park when another came bounding up to us. My dog was very reactive and I shouted for the other dogs owner to recall their dog but their calls were ineffective. The stranger's dog pounced on mine (maybe in a friendly way but I can't be sure), and my dog reacted badly, was aggressive and bit the stranger's dog seriously enough for it to require stitches as it's ear was hanging off. The stranger called the police and tried to claim vet costs from me but failed miserably as the police told her she was the one with the out of control dog and so she was in the wrong for having a dog off a lead without sufficient recall.

You were definitely not in the wrong and the other dog should be kept on a lead at all times if the owner doesn't have effective recall in all circumstances.

That's terrible, and glad the police sided with you.

Did she try and claim your dog was out of control or not on a leash?

nomas · 08/07/2026 22:05

itsme189 · 08/07/2026 21:47

I am happy to admit that in the moment I did not have time to think about all the many options I did not have treats, no corrective spray, sticks or spare leads. This is all good advice for the future.

im not going to keep repeating the same points if people aren’t going to read my previous posts. So here they are -

I shouted for the owner ALOT
I shouted LOUD at the dog a lot
My dog got hurt by said dog so I picked them up to protect them and prevent my other dog who was now in protective mode escalating the situation. He is the most chill out of the two unless you hurt his brother.
I turned my back on said dog and it jumped on my back and it was strong if I moved forward I would have been taken to the ground with both dogs.
I kicked backwards in blind hope it would get off me, I think I swiped a leg and it ran off.
it did not wince, cry or squeal and ran off fine at speed.
The witness did not try to help in anyway and only got involved after the dog ran off.
for that one poster no I have little upper body strength or any not really for any medical reasons I just walk for exercise and don’t life weights and I don’t see how that should be a requirement to walk 2 dogs who barely weigh a stone between them

my one dog is fine the other has a cut on his mouth/chin I have a vet assistant in the family so she popped round on lunch had a look and gave me some stuff to clean it with and told me to bring him in if he had any further symptoms luckily he does not.

Said vet assistant describes my dogs as people positive and dog neutral. They don’t absolutely love other dogs they know how to interact with them and they also don’t hate other dogs only ones that cross boundaries and don’t listen to warnings.

Not that it really matters but I have multiple scratches from the dogs claws on my shoulders/back and the start of a bruise on one shoulder. But I’m fine just got a bit scuffed up. A little unfortunate I was wearing a summer dress if I had a jumper on I doubt I’d have any marks.

i have no disdain for big dogs we have all sorts of dogs in our family. I would have been just was annoyed if it was a Jack Russel (although it wouldn’t have been able to reach much haha)

Not that it really matters but I have multiple scratches from the dogs claws on my shoulders/back and the start of a bruise on one shoulder. But I’m fine just got a bit scuffed up. A little unfortunate I was wearing a summer dress if I had a jumper on I doubt I’d have any marks.

It absolutely does matter, don't minimise the harm to you.

I would be tempted to take a picture and upload it in response to that Facebook post.

FalseSpring · 08/07/2026 21:50

Many years ago I was walking my dog on a lead in a public park when another came bounding up to us. My dog was very reactive and I shouted for the other dogs owner to recall their dog but their calls were ineffective. The stranger's dog pounced on mine (maybe in a friendly way but I can't be sure), and my dog reacted badly, was aggressive and bit the stranger's dog seriously enough for it to require stitches as it's ear was hanging off. The stranger called the police and tried to claim vet costs from me but failed miserably as the police told her she was the one with the out of control dog and so she was in the wrong for having a dog off a lead without sufficient recall.

You were definitely not in the wrong and the other dog should be kept on a lead at all times if the owner doesn't have effective recall in all circumstances.

BuildbyNumbere · 08/07/2026 21:50

itsme189 · 08/07/2026 21:47

I am happy to admit that in the moment I did not have time to think about all the many options I did not have treats, no corrective spray, sticks or spare leads. This is all good advice for the future.

im not going to keep repeating the same points if people aren’t going to read my previous posts. So here they are -

I shouted for the owner ALOT
I shouted LOUD at the dog a lot
My dog got hurt by said dog so I picked them up to protect them and prevent my other dog who was now in protective mode escalating the situation. He is the most chill out of the two unless you hurt his brother.
I turned my back on said dog and it jumped on my back and it was strong if I moved forward I would have been taken to the ground with both dogs.
I kicked backwards in blind hope it would get off me, I think I swiped a leg and it ran off.
it did not wince, cry or squeal and ran off fine at speed.
The witness did not try to help in anyway and only got involved after the dog ran off.
for that one poster no I have little upper body strength or any not really for any medical reasons I just walk for exercise and don’t life weights and I don’t see how that should be a requirement to walk 2 dogs who barely weigh a stone between them

my one dog is fine the other has a cut on his mouth/chin I have a vet assistant in the family so she popped round on lunch had a look and gave me some stuff to clean it with and told me to bring him in if he had any further symptoms luckily he does not.

Said vet assistant describes my dogs as people positive and dog neutral. They don’t absolutely love other dogs they know how to interact with them and they also don’t hate other dogs only ones that cross boundaries and don’t listen to warnings.

Not that it really matters but I have multiple scratches from the dogs claws on my shoulders/back and the start of a bruise on one shoulder. But I’m fine just got a bit scuffed up. A little unfortunate I was wearing a summer dress if I had a jumper on I doubt I’d have any marks.

i have no disdain for big dogs we have all sorts of dogs in our family. I would have been just was annoyed if it was a Jack Russel (although it wouldn’t have been able to reach much haha)

People wjll say you are wrong regardless … there are some very irresponsible dog owners around, most which shouldn’t be allowed dogs, and they don’t have the time or interest to train them properly … maybe there are some on this group, it certainly sounds like it. This was all down to the irresponsible owner and he is completely in the wrong!

BuildbyNumbere · 08/07/2026 21:47

Allisnotlost1 · 08/07/2026 20:03

You can’t control the actions of others, so do what you can to protect yourself. That’s not victim blaming, it’s just sensible precautionary advice.

Clothing makes no difference to whether a person will be victimised by a sexual abuser. What a grotesque analogy.

Show quote history

And training your dog doesn’t stop it getting attacked by one that’s off lead and out of control.

Original poster
itsme189 · 08/07/2026 21:47

I am happy to admit that in the moment I did not have time to think about all the many options I did not have treats, no corrective spray, sticks or spare leads. This is all good advice for the future.

im not going to keep repeating the same points if people aren’t going to read my previous posts. So here they are -

I shouted for the owner ALOT
I shouted LOUD at the dog a lot
My dog got hurt by said dog so I picked them up to protect them and prevent my other dog who was now in protective mode escalating the situation. He is the most chill out of the two unless you hurt his brother.
I turned my back on said dog and it jumped on my back and it was strong if I moved forward I would have been taken to the ground with both dogs.
I kicked backwards in blind hope it would get off me, I think I swiped a leg and it ran off.
it did not wince, cry or squeal and ran off fine at speed.
The witness did not try to help in anyway and only got involved after the dog ran off.
for that one poster no I have little upper body strength or any not really for any medical reasons I just walk for exercise and don’t life weights and I don’t see how that should be a requirement to walk 2 dogs who barely weigh a stone between them

my one dog is fine the other has a cut on his mouth/chin I have a vet assistant in the family so she popped round on lunch had a look and gave me some stuff to clean it with and told me to bring him in if he had any further symptoms luckily he does not.

Said vet assistant describes my dogs as people positive and dog neutral. They don’t absolutely love other dogs they know how to interact with them and they also don’t hate other dogs only ones that cross boundaries and don’t listen to warnings.

Not that it really matters but I have multiple scratches from the dogs claws on my shoulders/back and the start of a bruise on one shoulder. But I’m fine just got a bit scuffed up. A little unfortunate I was wearing a summer dress if I had a jumper on I doubt I’d have any marks.

i have no disdain for big dogs we have all sorts of dogs in our family. I would have been just was annoyed if it was a Jack Russel (although it wouldn’t have been able to reach much haha)

OP posts:
BuildbyNumbere · 08/07/2026 21:47

Mummy3Plus1 · 08/07/2026 19:46

Wow this is getting hilarious, talk about reaching. OP asked for opinions on whether she was right and what could've been done differently, based on my experience I have responded and given advice on the facts given. Dog aggressive dogs are dangerous regardless of size, yes the owner should've had control over their dog but we only have control over our own actions and choices. She can't ensure every dog is kept on lead or trained appropriately, she can only train hers.

Show quote history

Train here to do what? Sit there while
being attacked??

AskingQuestionsAllTheTime · 08/07/2026 21:26

She did say she'd turned her back to try to get away from it, I think. Hang on.

Yup, her most recent post. Today 17:21: "It would not stop jumping at me I held my dogs, turned my back. Hard to walk away with a dogs paws on your shoulders tbh."

And obviously trying to kick it off her would be something she might not think of as dangerous; or at least no more dangerous then potentially being pushed over by its weight on her, and landing on her dogs.

Allisnotlost1 · 08/07/2026 21:21

AskingQuestionsAllTheTime · 08/07/2026 21:07

I am still trying to work out how pushing her torso forward would have helped in any way if she had turned her back on the dog and it put its paws on her shoulders. Hence my assumption that she kicked out backwards, or possibly sideways.

I thought it was in front of her. If it was behind her obviously not. Even odder then to not just walk away. Why potentially aggravate a dog behind you that’s already holding on to you?

Allisnotlost1 · 08/07/2026 21:20

Devonshiregal · 08/07/2026 20:55

yhink they were bring sarcastic

Show quote history

Totally inappropriate topic to be sarcastic about, in a women’s forum of all places, imo. Minor altercation in which no real harm was done? Next logical step - be sarcastic about sexual violence? Idiotic.

Dollymixture12 · 08/07/2026 21:18

I think this man was in the wrong, and as someone with a dog that doesn’t like other dogs running up to it, I get it, I really do. His dog shouldn’t have been able to approach your dogs when the man was out of physical reach and the dog doesn’t have good enough recall to be brought back.

I think in the moment you were full of adrenaline and reacting impulsively so it is what it is, I would leave it now and hope you don’t see him again.

but - You have asked a few times what you could have done differently - I would suggest maybe turning around with your dogs in your arms so you had your back to the greyhound, moving away or up somehow? It depends whether you think the greyhound was aggressive and might hurt you (in which case don’t turn your back) or just trying to get to your dogs (in which case turning away may have helped)

TicklishMintDuck · 08/07/2026 21:12

Hawksie · 08/07/2026 12:39

Yes you were wrong to kick a dog.

If your dogs aren't socialized then hire a field for them to be walked in but don't expect socialised dogs to be kept on leads in areas where they can be off lead and expect them to change 363936529936 thousands of years of genetically inbred social behaviour

Her dogs are small and elderly and she had to defend them. Greyhounds have a high prey drive and chase small animals. The greyhound is the dog that was out of control here. If the dog doesn’t have manners, keep it on a lead.

EmmaB1309 · 08/07/2026 21:10

Yanbu. The other dog was obviously poorly supervised and has poor recall, so shouldn’t be off lead. It’s all very well saying you ‘shouldn’t’ kick a dog, well of course not and I’m sure you know that. But in a panicky moment like this you can be forgiven for acting a bit impulsively to manage what you perceived as a risk to your dogs.

AskingQuestionsAllTheTime · 08/07/2026 21:07

I am still trying to work out how pushing her torso forward would have helped in any way if she had turned her back on the dog and it put its paws on her shoulders. Hence my assumption that she kicked out backwards, or possibly sideways.