I hope this is OK to post. Was this your husband yesterday ?

[Anordinarymum]

I took my dog for a walk in Goldenacre Park yesterday late afternoon. The weather was not good, sleet and snow and cold.
There was nobody else in the park. We walked round the lake and up by the cafe and back round again.
As we approached the lake there was lots of bird noise. I saw a man with a toddler in an all in one suit and a young German Shepherd dog wearing some sort of harness running free
The man was openly encouraging the dog to run at the Swans. It chased the ducks and kept running to the edge of the lake.
The birds were going crazy.
I watched the guy and then I shouted across to him 'Don't let your dog do that mate'
He replied ' I am fully capable of looking after my own dog'
I said 'clearly not'
He did it again telling the dog to 'go on'
I shouted 'put your dog on the lead, this is how the wildlife gets killed'
He shouted back 'Fuck off Cunt' 'Go on fuck off you bitch'
There was nobody else there.
I had no choice but to walk away in case it escalated

Was this your husband with your little tot there in the afternoon?

I was no match for an aggressive man and I had to leave and go home. He was well built and wearing a woolly hat. The dog looked about 18 months maybe a little older. hard to say from a distance but it was quite large and running wild.

To say I was upset is an understatement. To say I felt impotent is another. I felt threatened so had to leave the bird life to this moron and his dog. There were signs everywhere about avian 'flu. How horrible to set your dog on sick animals like that.

Why is this man's behaviour the responsibility of a woman?

I'd bet anything he wouldn't have spoken to a man similar in age and stature to him like that though - and I bet he's never without his dog for protection or to use as a threat either

What? You can’t really think men who shout abuse to women like this don’t do worse to men and need dogs to protect them as they are scared? You don’t actually think that do you? Not really? You must know men on men violence exists right? And that men who are aggressive to other men, will often also respond to women as this man did? Ans teach their dogs to attack. You know that really don’t you?

@Bluebluemoon

Not my husband either.

But the dog didn’t actually try and catch or harm a bird. It was just running around to the edge of the lake. Perhaps barking a bit.

As there was a lake, the birds were perfectly safe on the water. Their reaction was instinctual and would have happened whether the dog was running about or not. Swans/ducks are going to give warning calls and take to the water the second they see a dog no matter how calm or run about it is. You wouldn’t want them calm around a dog anyway because that means they would be too stupid to avoid a fox.

You were the aggressor in the situation by shouting at him first and ordering him about and telling him to stop his dog running about and to put his dog on a lead. You assumed that his dog would “kill wildlife” but his dog did not, so I have to agree he is actually capable of managing his dog. Many working dogs are trained to herd and chase but not harm. I think you over-reacted and felt impotent because he refused to immediately obey your aggressive demands

I find posts like this bizarre. Why are you making excuses for this disgusting excuse for a man?
What "man" who was a half decent human being would ever speak to a woman like that? A lone woman? And when he is with his child.

I sincerely hope for her sake that this man doesn't have a wife coz you can bet your arse he speaks to her like that all the time, probably gives her a slap if she questions him too.

I get why you posted here OP. If someone recognised that as their husband or a family member you're thinking they might have a word? Unfortunately men like this rarely get anyone standing up to them as they throw their weight around and of course there's always the chance he'll set his dog on you.
I'd bet anything he wouldn't have spoken to a man similar in age and stature to him like that though - and I bet he's never without his dog for protection or to use as a threat either.

Women, the classic Karen, feel they have a right to shout at others but if they are shouted back at or people do not put up with their aggression then they are suddenly the poor innocent damsel who is being wronged.

Sorry, I’ve seen enough of this behaviour and I’m thoroughly sick of it. It’s not OP’s place to police other people’s behaviours, shout at them and be aggressive. The simple thing would be take photos and report.

You’re assuming the OP did not use any choice words herself?

What "man" who was a half decent human being would ever speak to a woman like that? A lone woman? And when he is with his child.

A man who's being yelled at and ordered about by said woman who's being antagonistic, who's already been polite to her once to no avail, and see's no other way of getting her to leave him alone.

Very disheartened to see people treating the harassment of wildlife so flippantly. Even if your dog is "just playing", being chased is highly stressful for any and all prey animals, and it can cause sickness and injury. They don't know if your dog means harm or not, from their perspective they're being chased by an erratic and unpredictable predator.

Would you enjoy being chased by a lion or a bear, even if their handler assured you that they were just being friendly? Wild animals are not playthings for your dogs. They're not a substitute for interaction or toys. Regardless of whether or not op was being aggressive in her approach, the dog owner was in the wrong for his behaviour.

www.staffordshire-live.co.uk/news/local-news/terrified-swans-injured-dogs-popular-6188092

thenantwichnews.co.uk/2014/08/12/rspca-probe-dog-attacks-swans-nantwich-lake/

@RosieGuacamosie

Why are you assuming this is someone’s husband? What are you expecting the wife (if she exists) to do about it? Why are you involving a woman in a man’s appalling behaviour?

I don’t know so much. When you become ensnared in a relationship with an arsehole, every bit of outside confirmation that he is “that bad” helps your resolve to get out.

It’s a bit of a long shot but it’s a public service announcement of sorts. To other users of the park, too.

The name of the park in the thread title would have helped, though.

I don't know why people are being so nasty OP. You've clearly had a horrible experience and it's completely unnecessary.

I know, all the faux naivety and faces are so mean and unnecessary.
OP encountered a thick, aggressive, foul-mouthed lout allowing his dog to torment birds in a park (a park where dogs are seemingly supposed to be leashed) - she is obviously upset and wanting to vent a bit.

I dunno, maybe she expected to get a bit of solidarity about the aggressive wankers women have to put up with on a regular basis?

I'm wondering if there are a fair few goady men on this thread....

Its a public forum. OP can post a thread if she wants.

Women, the classic Karen

Oh, ere we go with the misogynistic "Karen" comments.

You mean a woman being assertive love? Fancy that! Get back in your playpen dear.

The type of person who would set their dog on wildlife is never going to be the sort of person who will respond reasonably to being challenged.

What he did was disgusting but if you are wanting to raise awareness that this happened you'd be better off on local FB groups.

@Stiffcondomhat

Facebook is that way ------>

This is a public forum. OP is entitled to start a thread.

What? You can’t really think men who shout abuse to women like this don’t do worse to men and need dogs to protect them as they are scared? You don’t actually think that do you? Not really? You must know men on men violence exists right? And that men who are aggressive to other men, will often also respond to women as this man did? Ans teach their dogs to attack. You know that really don’t you?

Eh? Have you been drinking?

Of course men on men violence exists. That isnt what we're talking about though is it? We're talking about aggressive, abusive dickheads who shout disgusting slurs at lone women in the park?
You do realise that don't you? Well, don't you????

Start your own thread to discuss men on men bloody violence!

I don’t know so much. When you become ensnared in a relationship with an arsehole, every bit of outside confirmation that he is “that bad” helps your resolve to get out.

Exactly.

Looks like OP has been hounded away though by the idiots on here who don't get this - or pretend not to.

@IncompleteSenten

The type of person who would set their dog on wildlife is never going to be the sort of person who will respond reasonably to being challenged.

What he did was disgusting but if you are wanting to raise awareness that this happened you'd be better off on local FB groups.

This, one hundred percent this.

And op, it isn’t any woman’s fault. It isn’t any woman’s responsibility. It is only him. Husbands are not pets we keep on leashes. We are not their owner or their parent. And as said, having a child doesn’t even mean a relationship. This isn’t the 1950s.

@Bluebluemoon

Women, the classic Karen

Oh, ere we go with the misogynistic "Karen" comments.

You mean a woman being assertive love? Fancy that! Get back in your playpen dear.

No a woman being aggressive. Women can be aggressive, didn’t you know. But it’s the awful Karen behaviour that is unbearable.

The usual misogynistic this and that is so boring. Women must never be criticised, their behaviour should never be questioned … well at least some women.

@Bluebluemoon

Women, the classic Karen

Oh, ere we go with the misogynistic "Karen" comments.

You mean a woman being assertive love? Fancy that! Get back in your playpen dear.

Well said.

A man who's being yelled at and ordered about by said woman who's being antagonistic, who's already been polite to her once to no avail, and see's no other way of getting her to leave him alone.

You think he was being polite? If you really get that from the OP you have a very weird idea of what being polite is.

People get away with things like letting their dogs torment and chase wildlife because people like you are too scared to stand up to them.

I wonder if he'd have done it if there had been lots of people around? To challenge him I mean?

Might help if you state which town or city this is in.
YANBU he sounds disgusting.

@Why2why it’s the perpetual use of “Karen” as a slur that is “boring”.

If you have an intelligent point to make, make it without recourse to stereotype.

Whytowhy

It's not for me to educate you about why the term Karen is so offensive - but if you really are a woman (or indeed a male) I suggest you do some research. Preferably on the feminist board.

Or perhaps you who one of these women who claims they don't care about feminism?

@EmpressCixi

Not my husband either.

But the dog didn’t actually try and catch or harm a bird. It was just running around to the edge of the lake. Perhaps barking a bit.

As there was a lake, the birds were perfectly safe on the water. Their reaction was instinctual and would have happened whether the dog was running about or not. Swans/ducks are going to give warning calls and take to the water the second they see a dog no matter how calm or run about it is. You wouldn’t want them calm around a dog anyway because that means they would be too stupid to avoid a fox.

You were the aggressor in the situation by shouting at him first and ordering him about and telling him to stop his dog running about and to put his dog on a lead. You assumed that his dog would “kill wildlife” but his dog did not, so I have to agree he is actually capable of managing his dog. Many working dogs are trained to herd and chase but not harm. I think you over-reacted and felt impotent because he refused to immediately obey your aggressive demands.

Seriously? The OP was the aggressor? Come off it.

I’ve seen these sorts before OP, they never take too kindly to being challenged by a woman. It seems to threaten their masculinity, poor fragile things. I don’t blame you for tackling him but sadly these types pay little attention.

*You think he was being polite? If you really get that from the OP you have a very weird idea of what being polite is.

People get away with things like letting their dogs torment and chase wildlife because people like you are too scared to stand up to them.*

I think when someone shouts at you to do something replying back that you don't need or want their (busybody) input (i.e. i'm perfectly capable of looking after my own dog/putting up a shelf/parking a car/watching my children etc delete as appropriate) is being polite. If said busybody then shouts at you again your attempt at politely conveying you don't want or need their input has clearly gone over their head and you have to be clearer. Pearl clutchers will come a long and say he didn't have to swear but those same people will endorse telling rude people (even those not being aggressive) to fuck off on countless other threads. If someone was yelling at me and hadn't taken the hint to leave me alone once I too would tell them to fuck off.

I'm not scared, i'm just not antagonistic and recognise a situation where my 2 pence won't be taken well and it isn't worth it.

@Anordinarymum

After the aggressive way he spoke to me and realising there was nobody else there I left before I had the chance to think clearly. I wish they would install a camera by the lake so this sort of abuse could be recorded. Phoning up is a waste of time. Nobody wants to know. Nine times out of ten the number goes unanswered. Shaming these louts would be the best deterrent IMHO

Sorry you lost me at “ shaming”. There’s either a good argument for or against or not. A simple “ it’s illegal to kill/ hurt swans here, is enough.

This would be better on Leedsplace than here, they will love it there. Maybe encourage him to go to roundhay instead, the birds there are rock hard. They started hissing at me when we ran out of food.

It is not legal to harass wildlife ...working dog or no. Absolutely wrong what he was doing. Maybe contact a local swan society, they may take an interest.