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AIBU?

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Original poster

AIBU to be upset after a dog jumped at our baby?

945 replies

KellyK2026 · 15/09/2026 12:14

Okay, so myself, DH and baby were at a country park the other week. Baby was getting hungry so we sat ourselves down on a park bench and got some food out. A woman was walking with her family and dog and the dog must’ve smelt the food as it suddenly
comes bounding over and is jumping at baby (who is on DH knee) to get the food. We don’t know this dog and don’t know what it's capable of. I scream at the owner that we have a baby and to get her dog under control. At this point, she’s pretty far away and is taking her time to come over. My DH then kicks the dog to get it off them as it just will not stop. The woman wasn’t particularly apologetic and seemed shocked. Did we overreact?

OP posts:
Original poster
KellyK2026 · 15/09/2026 16:22

GoodGirlFaith · 15/09/2026 16:15

That's a lot of words to be 'shouting' generally at people around you.

Have you reported this aggressive dog to the authorities, then?

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No, I’m aware I could’ve reported it but I didn’t feel like it needed escalating to that point. The owner’s family looked pretty embarrassed so I do think she will think twice before taking her dog off a lead.

OP posts:
Hollyholiday2 · 15/09/2026 16:22

FoldItIn · 15/09/2026 16:21

I'm following the replies now. Good grief. It's sad, is what it is.
I know it's tempting to stay and stick up for yourself but honestly, leave the thread. You cannot reason with these people.

You and your DH were not unreasonable. People need to control their dogs. Keep them on leads if they have shit recall!

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Agree with this.

Melsy88 · 15/09/2026 16:22

KellyK2026 · 15/09/2026 16:19

😂😂😂😂😂 honestly I think some of these nutters would have less of a problem if I’d dropped my baby!

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I know that narrative is making you feel superior - but the 'nutters' are actually saying the dog owner was in the wrong but there was a solution that meant no person or animal gets hurt

FoldItIn · 15/09/2026 16:21

KellyK2026 · 15/09/2026 16:13

Haha spot on! I’ve been told the dog just came over to sniff our sandwiches, that my DH has anger issues, that I could’ve easily done this or that, that I was in the wrong for alerting the owner that we had a baby because I was loud etc. it’s absolutely amazing that people seem to know more about what happened than I do.

Edited
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I'm following the replies now. Good grief. It's sad, is what it is.
I know it's tempting to stay and stick up for yourself but honestly, leave the thread. You cannot reason with these people.

You and your DH were not unreasonable. People need to control their dogs. Keep them on leads if they have shit recall!

Original poster
KellyK2026 · 15/09/2026 16:20

Vivi0 · 15/09/2026 16:17

He could have passed the baby to the other adult who was in a standing position, no?

Although, I’ve never really had a problem with standing up from straddling a bench before. I think it would be much more tricky to kick from that position personally.

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I wasn’t in a standing position. Jesus Christ. What is going on.

OP posts:
Original poster
KellyK2026 · 15/09/2026 16:19

Greedybilly · 15/09/2026 16:14

@Thinkofnewthings- completely agree!
The world is bonkers when it comes to daft dogs off leads. ( no problem with normal/sensible owners)
Maybe OP you should have drop kicked the baby to a safe distance whilst crouching down to give the dog some reiki or a dog-breathwork session to keep it happy.x

😂😂😂😂😂 honestly I think some of these nutters would have less of a problem if I’d dropped my baby!

OP posts:
Original poster
KellyK2026 · 15/09/2026 16:18

Monty36 · 15/09/2026 16:12

No, I wasn’t. But why are you so not wanting to learn what might handle it better next time ? What is that about.
And yes, I think the owner should have had the dog should have been on a lead.

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Because you want me to learn by admitting things that didn’t happen. Yes, me and my DH felt like our baby was under threat. You can argue with that until you’re blue in the face. That’s exactly how we felt. My DH didn’t boot the dog. As I said repeatedly, he was straddling a bench which would’ve made a full kick impossible. The dog kept jumping up at him and, since he had his hands full with a baby he was trying to protect, he used his foot to kick the dog away. The dog was uninjured and the owner wasn’t upset about that. Nobody was. Plenty of people witnessed it and many people shook their heads at the owner. These were people that were there and saw what we did before it even got to that point.

OP posts:
Mermaidmusing · 15/09/2026 16:18

It’s the entitlement of dog owners that boils my piss. They assume everyone likes dogs and are shocked and/or offended if you ask them to recall their mutt. I have been scared of dogs all my life and am terrified of one approaching me. Yet, at least twice a week on my daily forest walks, a dog will come bounding up to me while its owner looks on completely unconcerned. Sometimes they jump
up, and I will literally scream at the owner to get the dog off. The owner always looks bemused at my reaction.

It’s time the govt introduced mandatory dog licences and local
authorities/parks, etc need to introduce and enforce fines for dogs off the lead.

Vivi0 · 15/09/2026 16:17

11AndCounting · 15/09/2026 16:08

The OP has already explained that her husband was straddling the bench, and that safely standing up while holding the baby was difficult.

You need to stop making up stories and start reading.

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He could have passed the baby to the other adult who was in a standing position, no?

Although, I’ve never really had a problem with standing up from straddling a bench before. I think it would be much more tricky to kick from that position personally.

FirmSnake · 15/09/2026 16:17

GoodGirlFaith · 15/09/2026 16:16

I haven't left my house in 40 years.

And again, I am not asking you.

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That explains it then.

ForEdgyHare · 15/09/2026 16:17

Im a dog lover and owner and I don’t think you are unreasonable or overreacting.
DH has given off lead dogs a little nudge of his foot when they have come bounding over, jumping all over and snarling at ours (who is generally on the lead and not wanting to play)
I would never let my dog do this to other dogs or people. Its so infuriating that people just let their dogs off lead with no recall or shit training.

GoodGirlFaith · 15/09/2026 16:16

FirmSnake · 15/09/2026 16:14

Can you really not think of a way you could get someone's attention without knowing their name? Do you ever go outside?

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I haven't left my house in 40 years.

And again, I am not asking you.

HedgerowD · 15/09/2026 16:15

FirmSnake · 15/09/2026 16:06

I'd kick the next dog away too. Don't want dogs getting kicked, whinge at the owners for not training them.

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Me too. Plenty of pps have also said they would have kicked the dog.

nomas · 15/09/2026 16:15

Monty36 · 15/09/2026 16:01

I think it is fundamental to look up dog behaviour and understand what can make them react even more excitably. And what doesn’t.

I think it is fundamental to dog behaviour that dog owners keep their dogs on a short leash when around other people.

MyDeftDuck · 15/09/2026 16:15

No, you didn’t overreact and the dog owner was totally in the wrong. The dog should not have been off lead and FWIW those bloody extending leads that allow the dog to wander wherever it likes are a pain in the arse too. No one wants a fucking dog slobbering in their food!!

GoodGirlFaith · 15/09/2026 16:15

KellyK2026 · 15/09/2026 16:14

I’ve literally posted it. I shouted for her to come and control her dog and that we had a baby.

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That's a lot of words to be 'shouting' generally at people around you.

Have you reported this aggressive dog to the authorities, then?

FirmSnake · 15/09/2026 16:14

GoodGirlFaith · 15/09/2026 16:11

I wasn't asking you. OP has said she doesn't know the breed of this dog. So what was she shouting 'dog, bit like a spaniel but not, similar ears...' Seems a bit of a mouthful!

OP, perhaps you could enlighten us.

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Can you really not think of a way you could get someone's attention without knowing their name? Do you ever go outside?

11AndCounting · 15/09/2026 16:14

Melsy88 · 15/09/2026 16:08

A lot of people on here have said it is disproportionate. Get one of those as a judge and it doesnt matter if you think they are 'a fool'

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Most judges are legally trained and, if not already familiar with the law, will certainly be before rendering a verdict.

Not really comparable to some know- nothings mouthing off on the internet.

Gobbledegoo · 15/09/2026 16:14

If DH didn't protect your child whatever would have happened!

I like and have owned dogs but have the view "One bite and dog is put to sleep". This was the rule when I was young and dog owners had to have a licence (cheap even at that time).

Greedybilly · 15/09/2026 16:14

@Thinkofnewthings- completely agree!
The world is bonkers when it comes to daft dogs off leads. ( no problem with normal/sensible owners)
Maybe OP you should have drop kicked the baby to a safe distance whilst crouching down to give the dog some reiki or a dog-breathwork session to keep it happy.x

Original poster
KellyK2026 · 15/09/2026 16:14

GoodGirlFaith · 15/09/2026 16:13

What did you shout, then? You are sounding more implausible by the minute.

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I’ve literally posted it. I shouted for her to come and control her dog and that we had a baby.

OP posts:
TheXisthatway · 15/09/2026 16:13

GoodGirlFaith · 15/09/2026 16:06

Your story keeps evolving and changing, OP.

How did you shout for the owner when you didn't know their name, out of interest?

The dog wasn't aggressive. It was jumping around you which it absolutely should not have been (it should have been on it's lead) but nothing I have read here suggests aggression or danger. The only aggression shown was by your OH who kicked the dog rather than stand up and move away from it because your picnic was on the table!

If you really think this dog was a danger to the general public, I feel that you would have reported it by now, to the Police or the Dog Warden. Have you done that?

What exactly do you want people to tell you on MN about something that happened weeks ago that you cannot change now?

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Are you thick? I've shouted at quite number of owners to get their dog under control. I do it like this 'OI!! Get your dog under control'

Also, presumably if he stood up the dog would have eaten all their food which he wouldn't have wanted. Also, if you are sitting at one of those park benches it might not be possible to stand straight up with a baby.

Kicking the dog to try to keep it away from the lunch is completely proportionate. I'd do it too.

Point is, dogs that nick food off tables should never be off leash.

Original poster
KellyK2026 · 15/09/2026 16:13

FoldItIn · 15/09/2026 16:10

Love dogs, have three of my own that are fantastic off lead. Do not let them off lead in our local country park with families eating and kids wandering with ice creams as one of them is so food focused I don't trust her not to leg it, then chaos as the other two follow. They are animals, instincts and all that.

You did not overreact at all. I once had to beat one with a stick to attempt to stop it from attacking mine. The owner was mortified, very apologetic and paid for the vet bill fyi. Your DH only kicked at it.

Not read the full thread so wondering if you've had any of the nutters out telling you you are lying/shouldn't be eating in a public park/you need to apologise for your baby existing yet @KellyK2026 ? Any of them made up an entirely different story with you as Cruella?
Ignore them if so, the Dogs Come First Brigade are beyond reason.

Haha spot on! I’ve been told the dog just came over to sniff our sandwiches, that my DH has anger issues, that I could’ve easily done this or that, that I was in the wrong for alerting the owner that we had a baby because I was loud etc. it’s absolutely amazing that people seem to know more about what happened than I do.

OP posts:
GoodGirlFaith · 15/09/2026 16:13

KellyK2026 · 15/09/2026 16:09

Eh? I didn’t say I shouted her name 😂😂😂

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What did you shout, then? You are sounding more implausible by the minute.

ControlYourDog · 15/09/2026 16:12

KellyK2026 · 15/09/2026 16:04

You’ve decided yourself it was a boot to the dog. I didn’t say anything about the force used. But keep winding yourself up.

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I wouldn't worry about these trolls. And do not worry about having kicked the dog. I doubt it did any harm (and if it did then [shrug]🤷‍♀️).

I wasn't going to say because of the crazies on her but I did have to proper boot a strange dog once. My 2yo was in their pushchair holding an ice-cream when a dog jumped on them, front paws on their shoulders, swallowed the ice-cream and was licking their face. I tried to pull it off but it was too strong. My child was screaming, no-one was helping and I kicked the dog as hard as I could in its side which did knock it off. The owner was furious but fuck them and the fucking dog. Didn't even offer to replace the ice-cream.

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