Sick to death of dogs

[SwordToFlamethrower]

Went to the beach today with dh and dd1.

Got jumped on by a dog off its lead. Owner said "oh. Sorry"

Two dogs ran up to us and started growling and snapping at me and dd who was playing on the sand.

Another dog ran up to us, had no idea what it's intentions were!

All off lead, all owners using their baby voices "don't do that Fido darling!"

Dog shit bags everywhere despite their being loads of bins and even free dog bags!

Absolutely so fed up of entitled dog owners and their nasty little dogs.

Why would you go to a beach in the middle of winter if you don't have a dog?

Dogs are great.

The issue is, that dog ownership increased massively during COVID, with the dog population increasing by about a million between 2019 and 2023.

Many of those dogs did not attend puppy classes etc due to lockdowns, and were purchased by people buying them on a bit of whim because of COVID etc.

Now we're seeing the impacts of that. The overall number of dog attacks and deaths caused by dogs has increased. We don't record lesser incidents such as picnic theft or being jumped at, but it stands to reason that if the more serious incidents have increased, then so have the lesser incidents.

So when people come on here saying that they are sick of dogs jumping at them etc., they should be listened to because their experiences are reflected in the statistics.

Social media doesn't help either. There's a culture developing that encourages people to treat their dogs like humans, which is why you see them in places you never used to. I saw one at a swimming lesson last month, waiting in the leisure centre foyer for goodness sake!

And there it is ladies and gentlemen. The ultime in entitled dog owner. "Outside spaces should only be enjoyed by dog walkers" 🙄

me too! Would rather see dogs bouncing around any day! Sorry but some people get annoyed by dogs, I get annoyed by kids - thats life!

Quite. People like OP are exactly the reason why there ARE dog beaches and non-dog beaches, so that everyone is comfortable. Don't go to a dog beach and then complain that there are dogs there.

Oh do shut up. I was just questioning why anyone would want to sit on a freezing cold beach - I don't get it.

It is a devisive topic - it is valid to have though. The argument that it is a minority of owners just doesn't land anymore as there are so many dogs.

I'm not dog lover - mainly as they give me the yuck as I hate dog poo, but I tolerate them and keep my distance and never really interact with them.

For me though the ffs moment, was when our John Lewis became dog friendly and I stood watching a dog sniff a rack of dresses while it's owner was oblivious/ or didn't care. That really did give me the boak and despair a bit that they really are everywhere now!

Ffs can dogs actually enjoy anything? It’s not unreasonable to let your dog off the lead on a dog friendly beach in January.

This would have terrified me. This is the owner's issue, not the dog issue.

The owner needs taking to task. I'm bored with telling people. Your dog may be friendly or not.. mine cannot be trusted 100% of the time. which is why he is on a bright yellow lead with reactive dog stitched into it.

As I sit on the bus this morning, my nostrils assaulted by the vanilla-scented stench of other people's teenage offspring, I think she has a point.

I’ve also never had a strange dog approach me and sniff my crotch! Why are these things almost daily occurrences for the anti-dog brigade?

Most of the posters just say the same things over and over again in these threads, it’s tedious. It just comes across as bored, old farts looking for something to be angry about.

🥱

Yes, because that’s what they said.

I actually look forward to these threads now because the anti dog comments just get more and more ridiculous. I’m still chuckling over “magnet for dog walkers”. Do people seek dogs out to moan about them?

Hahahaha.

Dog owners again doing themselves no favours. Hilarious.

This is in response to @cuckyplunt and whether humans would "like to be on a leash" because a dog being walked on a leash and a human being walked on a leash are comparable.

There's a skate park on the beach front where I live. It's full of youths having a lovely time speeding about. I wouldnt go there with my toddler because they'll get knocked over. Same applies to beach areas that are in heavy dog walking areas.

How DARE you exclude all non skateboarders

Can you lose the gratuitous ageist insults please.

Dogs and irresponsible owners have been a much more substantial problem post covid. Permitted paths (not public rights of way) that had previously been enjoyed by generations for walking have now been blocked by farmers due to an escalation in sheep worrying.

It’s annoying, and many long term, dog owners who used these paths responsibly feel the same.

I find this comment quite ironic given an unrelated thread a few days ago that was full of posters insulting ‘the younger generation’. The first comment in the other direction gets called out…

All these “this only happens to dog haters” comments are absurd. Apply some damn logic. There’s things happen to everyone it’s just those who aren’t fussed aren’t starting threads about it obviously 🙄

I have a dog and I’m not fussed about dogs approaching me/sniffing/jumping up. But they absolutely do happen.

Do people seek dogs out to moan about them?

We don't need to seek them out, they are everywhere.

This.
I walk most days in a big park where masses of dogs are walked off the lead every day. And in over 20 years I can think of only about 2 instances where a dog has bothered me at all.

I’m beginning to wonder whether dog haters (I’m not) give off some sort of anti-vibes that actually make dogs think, ‘Hmm, a wrong ‘un, better go and sort her out…’.

The problem is, the more cavalier and dismissive dog owners react to genuine concerns, the more pent up anger and frustration is generated.Which will in turn create a greater backlash against dog ownership.

There is a genuine problem with dog control post Covid. This is borne out by statistical data, violent attacks and the prevalence of dangerous breeds. It needs to be addressed.

We need to have objective legislative review, without emotion or sentiment so that dog ownership is much more responsible and controlled.

Dismissing real concerns as just nonsense will not help in the long run.

We went to the beach on Friday, it was packed with dog walkers. All these people bringing money to the area in January by stopping for coffees, cakes, pasties etc. The coffee shops were all busy with long queues. One lady was doing a beach clean and had an empty bag, we actually commented how little rubbish there was on the beach compared to the summer when there is so much more rubbish left by people after a day on the beach.
Dog owners should be respectful and keep their dogs away from people but likewise there are a lot of children who come up to dogs on leads to make a fuss without asking. It all works both ways. If you don't like dogs why would you choose to go to a beach which is a magnet for dogs? They can't use the beach in the summer (I would welcome dog friendly times throughout the summer eg before 10am after 6pm so it's accessible to everyone) so it's only reasonable they can use it in the winter!

Some of the best comments on these threads are the “yawn, another dog hating thread” ones.

Anyone with eyes can see the vast number of dog threads on MN: what dog should I get?, dog rescue has rejected me, tell me about dog training, which breed?, what diet?, vet care, puppy training, problem with new dog, crates, leads…on and on and on. This place is stuffed with dog threads.

I don’t go on those threads. Perhaps dog lovers could stay off threads complaining about dogs and their owners.

As for disbelief that dogs approach people, scare children, chase runners and cyclists, steal food etc, there’s no reason to doubt them at all. But dog owners on MN say that children frequently run up to their dogs and hit them and pull them. Those stories I really don’t believe.

I won’t bother with “dogs are better than people”. That’s just sad.