Are there still any responsible dog owners left?

What happened to and your little one was appalling @Cla7 and the way that it was carelessly dismissed by the owners of the creatures just adds insult to injury. They implied that the park belongs to the dogs and your toddler shouldn't have been there.
Unfortunately too many dog owners are absolute shitheads🤬🤬

Phone the police, please.

It doesn't have to be 999. Just contact them as normal - there are other lines.

Maybe look up ways to protect your child & yourself. I love animals but….
Personally I’d always wear tough jeans & good hard toed shoes & kick attacking dogs in the area of their kidneys, never put head or arms near attacking dogs.

My dog can be a twat so I keep him on a lead in public. Other people's dogs run up to us aaaaall the time. Luckily he's friendly so no harm done but small/"friendly looking" dogs can get away with it whereas my dog is large and "scary" looking so if I did that, I'd end up being dragged on the local FB group. Adorable labs seem to be the worst offenders 😁 I sometimes feel like I'm the only only sticking to the rules. That said, I've also had multiple occasions where small children have been allowed to run up to him with their arms out.

Op in the nicest possible way does attack mean jump up? (And before anyone jumps on me I am just curious because very few dog owners wouldn’t at least panic a little given the chance they’d get in trouble)

This is good advice, also carry a sturdy stick or pole, if the arrogant shithead tosser owner complains that you whacked his dog tell him too bad it's a predator and I have to follow my instinct to defend myself.
Wtf, telling you that your child looks like prey!? So he's admitting that his creature is dangerous but you just have to accept it. Fucking cunts🤬🤬🤬

OP, if this really happened as you say, and you really were bitten by a out-of-control dog, and the dogs really did try to attack your toddler, then you should report it.
Only you know whether this happened, or whether an overexcited dog just bounced around within 500 metres of your toddler, so only you can make the decision.

The hallmark of a shit dog owner is questioning an OP like this when she describes an incident as it happened. And then minimising it.

Anyway on this board, there are many good dog owners. It is unfair that they are tarred by the same brush.

Another crap dog owner. It’s clearly not a troll post. What a weird accusation.

And here start the inane comparisons to children. Because you have no intelligent defence just about dogs and the ones who have shit owners.

Yes I am but not currently a dog owner. I didn’t realise it was mandatory.
So clearly that’s made little difference.

presumably anything effective will need money chucked at it The advice to swing a lead or length of rope is good, although wouldn’t some dogs just to think it’s a toy ?
would be interesting to know how other countries deal with this issue of pets being out of control.

That's absolutely terrible, KookyMoose. I am so sorry for your injuries. I hope there is some (a lot) of comeback for the appalling owner of the dog that did this.
When I was attacked once by a Rottweiler - no physical injuries luckily - the owner would not even acknowledge my existence - did not speak or make eye contact, just ignored me and the panic attack i was having. The fact you, a person, were ignored because of the dog and the owner's defensiveness is what makes it all even worse. What sort of owner could do that? Hoping you are now recovering well.

Typical defensive DARVO responses from dopey dog owners. And of course the obligatory ‘dog HATE’ accusation if you object to being mauled and assailed. Ugh. 🙄

Yanbu op. Some of these responses absolutely prove your point.

I fear not many. I love dogs and always have BUT I am totally fed up with owners who, when on a walk, seem content to stroll along with their animal in front on a long lead. They do not seem to realise that if the dog rushed into the road or at a group of people they have zero control.

Possibly, the answer may lie in people having to complete a training course before buying a dog. Run, of course, by someone who is a sensible trainer who know that, as well as affection, dogs need discipline in order to be sensible.

Please go to the police and take pics of the bite marks.

Oh do fuck off. Why the hell is wrong with you? Are you going to put down all men, because some attack women, all teenagers, because many commit antisocial behaviour, and all car drivers because some commit hit and runs?

Can you hear yourself?!?

Oh ffs, yes there are. These people clearly are not. HTH
ps you should be phoning the police about this - disgusting behaviour

Not sure overzealous dogs are defined as 'out of control'. We only have one view of the situation so hasty to pass judgement. Police could sort it once reported.

You were attacked OP and using this word to described what happen is showing a tendency to dramatisation.

In all likelihood, from what you've described, these were puppies. Absolutely, the owner should have been much quicker to react and certainly not said the stupid things he said

However, it would be the same as saying that all parents are irresponsible because I've had kids running not looking where they are going and give me a bruise in the process.

It's annoying, you wish adults dealt with it better, but it really isn't the drama you make it to be.

The whole thread is rife with attention seeking commentary. Seriously, CCTV, report to the police and then report to us. I'm dreadfully frightened of the prospect of not one, but three, out of control dogs attacking toddlers at a park with no concern shown by the owners. This should be on the media.

It is sad that the few irresponsible ones make the responsible ones look bad. I have a German shepherd and she is vocal when iniating play with her fellow canine friends,but I always warn people as I appreciate her bark is loud and alarming. But I totally agree if your dog is known to jump up or nip then it should be kept on lead at all times. I'd be absolutely horrified if mine did it 🙈

I’m sorry that you had to deal with this, it sounds terrible. Apart from telling the police like others have suggested, that said if it’s the first incident they may suggest a Voluntary Control Order regarding what happens moving forward when they take their dogs out. But as the name suggests, it is voluntary.

Of course there are responsible dog owners but sadly the irresponsible idiots give us all a bad name.

We have a rescue dog who, at 5 years old, had never been socialised. He was not walked or taken out anywhere. He had lots of land to run around on but never saw other dogs, people, cars etc.

We have worked hard in the year we have had him to get him used to going out, get used to car journeys, used to people, other dogs etc. He has gone from shaking with fear on seeing a bus for the first time to travelling on one and being completely laid back about it!

He has gone from hiding behind us when seeing another dog to going to socialisation classes and running around playing with 20 or so other dogs with no problems whatsoever.

At the socialisation classes and, before them, the neutrality classes there are owners with other dogs (mainly rescues) who are fearful and/or aggressive and they are all absolutely commited to being good owners and helping their dogs overcome their problems

It happens all the time? Where the fuck do you live? I’ve made it to my early 30s without ever being attacked by a dog. I’ve raised dogs, and have one currently, so I’m out walking every day. I have never considered lifting up my toddlers while walking past a dog in case it attacks them.

Either you live in an area full of out of control dogs, or your definition of a dog attack is vastly different to mine!

A fair few of us have been bitten.