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AIBU?

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Original poster

AIBU to think dogs should be muzzled in public now?

106 replies

TraitorsSandwich · 16/08/2026 17:50

I’ve just seen the awful news that a man has been killed by a German Shepherd - I can’t even imagine how awful and scary his final moments must have been.

Dog attacks seem to be happening all too often - AIBU to think dogs need to be muzzled outside the home now ?

For too long dogs have been humanised but the bottom line is they are animals.. who are ‘friendly’ until they are not and attack someone.

Dog owners seem to be getting more and more selfish & irresponsible- our local recreation ground has signs up everywhere stating dogs must be on leads but it’s completely ignored despite their being a free and secure dog field 10 minutes walk away. Therefore meaning that no one else is able to enjoy the rec ground.

I see so many adults being dragged around by their dogs and it’s so obvious that they would not have the strength to intervene if their dog did attack.

So surely it’s safer for everyone to muzzle dogs ?

OP posts:
joseph25 · 16/08/2026 21:37

I love dogs and have three. I adore them but we won’t ever have three again. We live fairly rurally and I hate walking them due to other owners who have zero control over their dogs. We went to Cornwall a few years ago and I hated it due to the sheer number of dogs there. I think there needs to be licensing and more controls, yes. Muzzles maybe

Luddite26 · 16/08/2026 21:36

PatNoodle · 16/08/2026 19:36

From how it’s been reported, there was an altercation beforehand and the owner of the German shepherd purposely set it on the man. You really think someone like that is going to adhere to a muzzle rule? Yeah right

There may be a reason why he did that. The man who died may have been up to no good /self defence. Time will tell.

MrsDoylesLastTeabag · 16/08/2026 21:35

The malice and callousness with which some people on here talk about dogs actually make me feel a bit sick. Hiding this thread.

worldshottestmom · 16/08/2026 21:34

The only people that would follow this rule are the responsible dog owners. The irresponsible ones would ignore the law/rule, just like they ignore that sign in your park.

All this legislation wouuld do is punish well behaved dogs.

lovingthebeachlife · 16/08/2026 21:31

Plus everyone thinks their dog is great & they are a responsible owner, blah blah blah.

lovingthebeachlife · 16/08/2026 21:29

I love dogs but even i’m starting to get annoyed at how many shit dog owners there are & how dogs are everywhere now.

pinkdyno · 16/08/2026 21:23

The first post as always nails it.

the issue whilst partly dogs, it more over humans.

I own 14 working dogs, two house dogs.

if you approached me with the, all of lead they would recall and sit. Without a shadow of a doubt.

when people come to the house, my children’s two, the house dogs, get popped into back kitchen. Not because I don’t trust the dogs, but because I don’t trust the children. They spend there day with my four. BUT they are dogs. A minor disagreement between toddlers, dog doesn’t know that.

I would have no issue with muzzling in a public place. But would expect the same reciprocal respect on farm land.

humans are probably more at risk from DH for lighting fires at this moment, than the dogs. Or from the cattle, grumpy wanting to river where people want to camp.

so yes. A muzzle in a public place. No problem for me.

dedoghairer · 16/08/2026 21:11

Cla7 · 16/08/2026 21:01

Why is it acceptable to get bitten if it doesn’t require hospital admission?

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It isn’t. Ever. If your dog bites it should be muzzled or kept away from people. But it is not reasonable to say all dogs should be muzzled either. Mine do not bite. Why should they be muzzled?

RoseDog · 16/08/2026 21:11

I’m not muzzling my staffie nor am I putting her on a lead, she’s trained, she has recall, she walks at my feet!

today I did get screamed at because there was a cat in the street and my dog might attack it, she’s almost 13, she ain’t chasing a cat and she lived with a cat if anything she’s scared of them!

dedoghairer · 16/08/2026 21:08

YeOldeGreyhound · 16/08/2026 21:03

If it properly puncture the skin, then you are advised to get medical attention. Any animal bite can go septic.

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You are NOT advised to go to hospital for a small skin puncture. You must know that? Are you really going to sit in A&E for 6+ hours for that? Any injury can go septic, but a small skin puncture can be cleaned at home and monitored. No one is going to be mauled to death by a chihuahua, as you well know.

YeOldeGreyhound · 16/08/2026 21:03

dedoghairer · 16/08/2026 21:00

No, they don't. You’d go to hospital for a small skin puncture? Clean it, keep an eye on it, that’s all.

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If it properly puncture the skin, then you are advised to get medical attention. Any animal bite can go septic.

newmenewwhatever · 16/08/2026 21:03

@YeOldeGreyhound no you are absolutely correct… no room so shoot the dog and fine the human… problem solved

YoniWheretheSunDontShine · 16/08/2026 21:03

YeOldeGreyhound · 16/08/2026 20:41

It could still put someone in hospital though, and would be in the dog attack figures.

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Could being the operative word.

The size and strength of a chichua grip is unlikely to even break the skin and Maltese dogs are bread for sweetness and companionship

Cla7 · 16/08/2026 21:01

dedoghairer · 16/08/2026 21:00

No, they don't. You’d go to hospital for a small skin puncture? Clean it, keep an eye on it, that’s all.

Show quote history

Why is it acceptable to get bitten if it doesn’t require hospital admission?

dedoghairer · 16/08/2026 21:00

YeOldeGreyhound · 16/08/2026 20:55

No, but someone who has had their skin punctured by one needs to go to hospital.

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No, they don't. You’d go to hospital for a small skin puncture? Clean it, keep an eye on it, that’s all.

YeOldeGreyhound · 16/08/2026 20:55

newmenewwhatever · 16/08/2026 20:48

@Nousernameideaagabut every dog owner should be in prison if they can’t control their dogs

Yes, because there is loads of room in prison 🙄

YeOldeGreyhound · 16/08/2026 20:55

dedoghairer · 16/08/2026 20:44

As someone who has lots, a chihuahua cannot do you any serious damage. You are not going to see a news article about a man being killed by a chi!

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No, but someone who has had their skin punctured by one needs to go to hospital.

dedoghairer · 16/08/2026 20:54

OneNaiceSnail · 16/08/2026 20:48

I care for a lady who has a prosthetic nose after hers was ripped off by her chihuahua..

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Which must be beyond rare? And probably a cross breed rather than a chihuahua. None of mine have ever had the bite power to even break skin. A JRT can do damage, a chi has a much smaller jaw & associated masticatory muscle.

newmenewwhatever · 16/08/2026 20:48

@Nousernameideaagabut every dog owner should be in prison if they can’t control their dogs

OneNaiceSnail · 16/08/2026 20:48

dedoghairer · 16/08/2026 20:44

As someone who has lots, a chihuahua cannot do you any serious damage. You are not going to see a news article about a man being killed by a chi!

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I care for a lady who has a prosthetic nose after hers was ripped off by her chihuahua..

Nousernameideaaga · 16/08/2026 20:46

No not every dog should be muzzled just become some dogs are vicious and can kill

In the same way that not every human should be imprisoned just because some humans are vicious and can kill

Cla7 · 16/08/2026 20:45

Agree, I started a thread yesterday (and unsurprisingly got slaughtered by the dog owners) about me being unable to use our local park with my toddler anymore due to reoccurring incidents with dogs and careless owners.

dedoghairer · 16/08/2026 20:44

YeOldeGreyhound · 16/08/2026 20:36

From my own experience, chihuahuas can be very vicious.

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As someone who has lots, a chihuahua cannot do you any serious damage. You are not going to see a news article about a man being killed by a chi!

TrixieFatell · 16/08/2026 20:43

TheProvincialLady · 16/08/2026 18:22

I think dog owners should be made criminally liable for any damage their animal causes to people, animals or property. I would support muzzling in public too. As with everything else these days, people are just too self centred and dappy to control themselves, let alone their animals (or their children).

This along with tougher sentences. And they shouldn't be allowed in as many places as they are. It's ridiculous the amount of dogs in restaurants, shops and pubs. We have just been for a meal and there were dogs whining constantly.

YeOldeGreyhound · 16/08/2026 20:41

YoniWheretheSunDontShine · 16/08/2026 20:38

@YeOldeGreyhound indeed but I don't think anyone has been killed by those tiny jaws have they ? And if one launched into a deadly attack it would be much easier to prize it off it's victim and control it.

It could still put someone in hospital though, and would be in the dog attack figures.