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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 · 16/09/2026 10:08

Lacksie · 16/09/2026 10:05

How many times?

“Under control” does not mean a dog must behave perfectly at every second or never make a mistake. It means the owner must be able to manage risk and control the dog appropriately.
A dog jumping up is undesirable and the owner should intervene - as she did and apologised - but it does not automatically prove that the dog is generally dangerously out of control or must always be kept on a lead.

If this happens again and you genuinely believe it constitutes an offence under the Dangerous Dogs Act, then report it. You may then get a clearer sense of how the law is interpreted and applied proportionately in practice.

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Again, nobody said a dog has to be perfect. And actually several things point to the dog being out of control and is grounds for my DH to use force to defend our baby. The owner had zero control. Again, read. The. Damn. Law.

OP posts:
Melsy88 · 16/09/2026 10:08

KellyK2026 · 16/09/2026 10:03

And FYI, the law on kicking a dog in this instance: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1987/9/section/4/data.xht

clearly the law is in my DH’s favour, not the dog owner who broke the law initially by not having control of their dog.

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Its not self defence - the dog wasn't aggressive 🙄

Lacksie · 16/09/2026 10:08

MiggyWoods · 16/09/2026 10:07

Because requiring every dog to be on a lead in every public space is a disproportionate response to the fact that dogs occasionally behave imperfectly

I disagree.

👍

MiggyWoods · 16/09/2026 10:07

Because requiring every dog to be on a lead in every public space is a disproportionate response to the fact that dogs occasionally behave imperfectly

I disagree.

Lacksie · 16/09/2026 10:05

KellyK2026 · 16/09/2026 10:01

But it is the law that if a dog isn’t on the lead, the owner must be in control of it at all times.

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How many times?

“Under control” does not mean a dog must behave perfectly at every second or never make a mistake. It means the owner must be able to manage risk and control the dog appropriately.
A dog jumping up is undesirable and the owner should intervene - as she did and apologised - but it does not automatically prove that the dog is generally dangerously out of control or must always be kept on a lead.

If this happens again and you genuinely believe it constitutes an offence under the Dangerous Dogs Act, then report it. You may then get a clearer sense of how the law is interpreted and applied proportionately in practice.

Original poster
KellyK2026 · 16/09/2026 10:03

Lacksie · 16/09/2026 10:00

This is a cruel attitude towards dogs and luckily it is not the law in the UK.

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And FYI, the law on kicking a dog in this instance: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1987/9/section/4/data.xht

clearly the law is in my DH’s favour, not the dog owner who broke the law initially by not having control of their dog.

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1987/9/section/4/data.xht

OP posts:
Lacksie · 16/09/2026 10:02

KellyK2026 · 16/09/2026 10:00

Then act accordingly. You’ve been repeatedly saying that the dog that terrified us was just being friendly. Well know the law because its owner actually broke it. Not only did it repeatedly jump up at an infant, it made contact with it and made us feel unsafe. If your dog does that you’re playing a seriously dangerous game.

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Then act accordingly

Thanks very much for your advice. I won’t respond with the same hostility you showed to mine :).

Original poster
KellyK2026 · 16/09/2026 10:01

Lacksie · 16/09/2026 10:00

This is a cruel attitude towards dogs and luckily it is not the law in the UK.

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But it is the law that if a dog isn’t on the lead, the owner must be in control of it at all times.

OP posts:
Original poster
KellyK2026 · 16/09/2026 10:00

Lacksie · 16/09/2026 09:57

Yes I know about the Dangerous Dogs Act, but thank you for mansplaining it to me nonetheless.

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Then act accordingly. You’ve been repeatedly saying that the dog that terrified us was just being friendly. Well know the law because its owner actually broke it. Not only did it repeatedly jump up at an infant, it made contact with it and made us feel unsafe. If your dog does that you’re playing a seriously dangerous game.

OP posts:
Lacksie · 16/09/2026 10:00

MiggyWoods · 16/09/2026 09:57

i find your attitude towards animals unrealistic, disproportionate and unecessarily cruel so we will have to agree we have different values and leave it there

So if one cannot face keeping one's dog on a lead in public places, one really shouldn't have a dog.

This is a cruel attitude towards dogs and luckily it is not the law in the UK.

Lacksie · 16/09/2026 09:59

MiggyWoods · 16/09/2026 09:55

Because all animals have unpredictable behaviours on occasion because that is the nature of being an animal not a robot

Which is why all dogs should be on leads in public. Or is it too troublesome to go to a designated dog park?

Because requiring every dog to be on a lead in every public space is a disproportionate response to the fact that dogs occasionally behave imperfectly. Dogs need opportunities to run, explore and socialise for their physical and behavioural welfare, and designated dog parks are not widely available in the UK (nor is it practical or proportionate given lack of land to think that humans and dogs should be separated at all times in public).

MiggyWoods · 16/09/2026 09:57

i find your attitude towards animals unrealistic, disproportionate and unecessarily cruel so we will have to agree we have different values and leave it there

So if one cannot face keeping one's dog on a lead in public places, one really shouldn't have a dog.

Lacksie · 16/09/2026 09:57

KellyK2026 · 16/09/2026 09:55

‘Even where off-lead walking is permitted, your dog must remain under close control at all times. Under the Dangerous Dogs Act, if your dog is not under control—such as jumping up, acting overly aggressive, or making a member of the public feel worried that they might be injured—you can be fined or prosecuted, even if no physical contact or bite occurs.’

please educate yourself before you get yourself fined or your dog gets hurt. A dog jumping up at people is not considered a dog that is under control.

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Yes I know about the Dangerous Dogs Act, but thank you for mansplaining it to me nonetheless.

MiggyWoods · 16/09/2026 09:55

Because all animals have unpredictable behaviours on occasion because that is the nature of being an animal not a robot

Which is why all dogs should be on leads in public. Or is it too troublesome to go to a designated dog park?

Original poster
KellyK2026 · 16/09/2026 09:55

Lacksie · 16/09/2026 09:49

I think it's been well established that we disagree.

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‘Even where off-lead walking is permitted, your dog must remain under close control at all times. Under the Dangerous Dogs Act, if your dog is not under control—such as jumping up, acting overly aggressive, or making a member of the public feel worried that they might be injured—you can be fined or prosecuted, even if no physical contact or bite occurs.’

please educate yourself before you get yourself fined or your dog gets hurt. A dog jumping up at people is not considered a dog that is under control.

OP posts:
Original poster
KellyK2026 · 16/09/2026 09:51

Lacksie · 16/09/2026 09:48

Nah, it's not "selfish and entitled" to recognise that animals are not robots and have welfare needs that shouldn't be removed because their behaviour isn't 100% desirable,100% of the time.

That is a commonplace, but totally objectifying and dismissive attitude displayed towards animals by people who think that humans are entitled to treat animals as if they were objects.

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People realise that dogs aren’t robots. If they thought that they wouldn’t be asking that they be kept on leads in public spaces…

OP posts:
OonaStubbs · 16/09/2026 09:50

I have never seen a well-trained guide dog or police dog jump up at a baby or lunge for food.

Lacksie · 16/09/2026 09:49

KellyK2026 · 16/09/2026 09:35

I totally disagree. As many people have commented on this Thread, they know their dog’s behaviour can be unpredictable so they take reasonable measures. But, again, the law doesn’t protect dogs the same way it protects children and adults. So you’re taking a huge risk that’s irresponsible if you don’t put measures in place. Yes there may be a rare instance when a dog acts out of character, but most owners know if they have a dog that chases, jumps up or even bites.

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I think it's been well established that we disagree.

Lacksie · 16/09/2026 09:48

thehound4 · 16/09/2026 09:37

Your attitude is utterly selfish and entitled. Why does a dogs comfort trump the comfort and safety of a baby?

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Nah, it's not "selfish and entitled" to recognise that animals are not robots and have welfare needs that shouldn't be removed because their behaviour isn't 100% desirable,100% of the time.

That is a commonplace, but totally objectifying and dismissive attitude displayed towards animals by people who think that humans are entitled to treat animals as if they were objects.

Original poster
KellyK2026 · 16/09/2026 09:44

WhatNoRaisins · 16/09/2026 09:39

Surely it's for the owner to work out if they can meet a particular dog breeds needs. Don't people take into account where they live and how much time they can commit to walking a dog before choosing what sort of dog to get?

That’s how I feel. I had a cousin who bought a beautiful collie dog puppy. Now collie dogs obviously need a lot of exercise and training, but my cousin was absolutely uneducated about the breed and could not meet that level of training. I remember going around theirs and this now adolescent dog was untrained and actually looked deeply unhappy. They ended up rehoming him (the best decision) to a family that had the time and knowledge to train him. I see him around now and he’s a wonderful dog with brilliant recall and no longer jumps up. I do think so many people buy dogs without making the effort to learn about the breed and then shrug their shoulders when the dog becomes unmanageable.

OP posts:
WhatNoRaisins · 16/09/2026 09:39

Surely it's for the owner to work out if they can meet a particular dog breeds needs. Don't people take into account where they live and how much time they can commit to walking a dog before choosing what sort of dog to get?

thehound4 · 16/09/2026 09:37

Lacksie · 16/09/2026 09:24

i find your attitude towards animals unrealistic, disproportionate and unecessarily cruel so we will have to agree we have different values and leave it there..

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Your attitude is utterly selfish and entitled. Why does a dogs comfort trump the comfort and safety of a baby?

Original poster
KellyK2026 · 16/09/2026 09:35

Lacksie · 16/09/2026 09:30

Because all animals have unpredictable behaviours on occasion because that is the nature of being an animal not a robot.

To fail to recognised that, and to demand disproportionate preventative universal measures that have serious impacts on animal welfare, just because animals can sometimes behave in unpredictable and undesirable ways , is cruel and displays a totally objectifying , dismissive, careless , intolerant and inhumane attitude towards animals.

Show quote history

I totally disagree. As many people have commented on this Thread, they know their dog’s behaviour can be unpredictable so they take reasonable measures. But, again, the law doesn’t protect dogs the same way it protects children and adults. So you’re taking a huge risk that’s irresponsible if you don’t put measures in place. Yes there may be a rare instance when a dog acts out of character, but most owners know if they have a dog that chases, jumps up or even bites.

OP posts:
Lacksie · 16/09/2026 09:31

KellyK2026 · 16/09/2026 09:28

I absolutely never said that a dog has to be perfect, that was entirely you. This dog acted dangerously, there’s no way to defend it. It leaped at an infant multiple times.

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I absolutely never said that a dog has to be perfect

then it must have been my misunderstanding.

Lacksie · 16/09/2026 09:30

KellyK2026 · 16/09/2026 09:27

How can you find that statement cruel? It’s cruel to not put your dog on a lead if it has unpredictable behaviours because it just may jump up at the wrong person and find out the hard way. That’s the risk you’re taking. There are designated dog parks for that reason and reasonable owners take their dogs there if their dogs have unpredictable behaviours.

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Because all animals have unpredictable behaviours on occasion because that is the nature of being an animal not a robot.

To fail to recognised that, and to demand disproportionate preventative universal measures that have serious impacts on animal welfare, just because animals can sometimes behave in unpredictable and undesirable ways , is cruel and displays a totally objectifying , dismissive, careless , intolerant and inhumane attitude towards animals.

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