to want to smack dog owners around a bit?

[smuggins]

Just been for a walk with DD in the backpack.
Walking across a lovely meadow, we saw a woman walking her bear (might have been a large dog - looked like a bear to me) in the distance. As we approached each other, the bear sat down and awaited its owner. As we came closer, it stood up and took two (meter long) steps towards us. Naturally (evolution, survival instinct, etc) we shied away. The owner cheerily told us that the bear was 'a real sweetie' and meant nothing by it. The wife was a bit riled so said something along the lines of how the hell are we to know that, its a fucking bear and it was coming towards my child and its not on a leash. The response was 'well, you weren't to know, so have a nice day'.

Why do dog owners assume that we all love dogs. I hate dogs. And why were we made to feel bad for being threatened by the bloody bear. There are countless stories of 'real sweetie' dogs biting people - be they strangers / family / children. Do the dog owners know the law on such matters? Not sure I do totally, but I'd like to think that if an injury occurred because of a dog owners lack of control of their animal, they would be liable for that injury and the dog will be destroyed. Anyone know any different?

Anyway. I don't like dogs. Keep yours under control. Please.

NarkyPuffin - agreed.

' AIBU to want to smack dog owners around a bit?'

Not at all. I want to to the same to over-protective, namby-pamby, 'eeew-I've-got-mud-on-my-Kath-Kidston-wellies' parents all the time, so I guess we're even.

I love dogs but I do agree that dog owners need to be sensible and responsible and watch their dogs around children. Most do but just like drivers, you get the odd idiot.

I was bitten on the bum by a pit bull when I was a little girl by a dog owner who had no control over his animal. My dad had to fight it off with a stick and the owner just watched uselessly.

And I will get flamed but humans should get priority over dogs and yes; that includes children. Much as I love doggies they need to be watched around kids.

Haven't read the thread yet, but:

Ten years ago, when I had a baby in a backpack, and two small DCs on foot I would have agreed with you. I had never had a dog, and knew nothing of them, other than that they scared me. I have made several comments over the years just like yours.

In the intervening years I have acquired two lovely, gentle (but quite big and quite loopy looking) dogs.

But let's look at the facts shall we?

The 'bear' sat down, to wait for its owner, and then stepped towards you? How dare it.

Did it growl? Was it in any way 'out of control'? Frothing at the mouth? Did it seem agitated? did it jump up to rip your child from your back? Or was it just a dog not a leash that made you feel nervous for reasons you can't quite put your finger on?

I have learnt, as an owner, and as a bystander, that if someone says 'Don't worry he won't hurt you' they mean it. If a dog is an unpredictable danger around people or other dogs, generally speaking the last thing the owner wants is a bloodbath/stressful scene on their hands and they don't allow the dog to go ahead for a little play around approaching members of the public with babies.

I agree, that you don't have to take them at face value - that is your choice. But unless a dog is being actively agressive or intimidating, (and a lesson in awareness of dog body language would be useful here) I think you need to relax and assume that all will be well until you see real signs that indicate otherwise.

Whatever you may think, it is not illegal to have dogs running free, only to have an 'out of control' dog -ie one that is a danger. They have the same right to run around and enjoy life as your children do - so long as they are not hurting anyone. And they were't were they?

Ive never met a dog I didn't like but there are plenty of obnoxious children and adults that I can't stand.

I've just come back from a holiday and was amazed at how dog friendly the people were, responsible owners, gorgeous dogs mainly off the lead, not one badly behaved dog, dogs are welcomed in hotels, most holiday rentals even shops and restaurants have a bowl of water or two for dogs, the beach had poop bags in a dispenser for free and I didn't see any dog mess anywhere.

The dogs played and dug on the beach, there were no issues with any dogs. The most interesting comparison was how they treated their children, no one shouted or swore at children, parents engaged and played with them, whole groups of friends met on the beach and treated each other with respect.

We had a Jack Russell - horrible little thing it was - sorry but I'm just being honest) but DP had it when we met and no way was he getting rid of it. To be fair, it was good with the children but it was a complete pain in the arse to take for a walk and would always go after other dogs no matter how big they were. We lived in a very rural area, so I'd always take it for walks off the beaten track and I could let it off in the fields for a run, but as soon as I saw another dog coming I'd grab it and get it back on the lead, and and move out of the way until they passed.

One day this woman was coming along with a big Golden retriever, I was with DC aged 2 and 4 and the Jack Russell which I immediately grabbed and pulled up on the verge at the side of the track. The two children were already very nervous as this great big dog came bounding towards us. The woman could see I'd put my dog on the lead as soon as I saw hers, could see me shepherding two small children out of the way ... but made absolutely no attempt whatsoever to call her dog back or restrain him in anyway. He came straight for the Jack Russell (big mistake) kids were crying and clinging on to me, and all this stupid cow could do was shout 'he's fine, he won't hurt you' even though she could see that my dog was straining at the leash to get at hers, my kids were terrified as her dog circled around us.

I shouted to her to call her dog off, get it on a lead and away from us, and she went nuts and I mean nuts .. started shouting at me (in front of the kids who by this time were terrified and bawling their eyes out). She even accused me of being a bloody holidaymaker coming here thinking you own the place telling 'us' locals what to do. I screamed back at her that I had lived there all my life - and she was more taken aback at that than anything. The arrogance and stupidity of the woman was breathtaking, still makes my blood boil thinking about it. Just because dogs aren't aggressive, doesn't mean they aren't frightening to young children. Also if someone else gets their dog on a leash sharpish as you walk towards them - there's probably a bloody good reason why they do. Don't just let your dog go bounding up to it!!

. Can I just point out that at 20:53:30 a very clever and witty animal wrote a rather spiffing post?

Timely thread for me. This afternoon dd and I took our dog (7 mth old mutt) for a walk to a local park which has a play area next to a field. When we first got there we were alone. Dd played in the park whilst I knackered the dog out playing fetch.

2 young lads came along and joined in with me and the dog, chasing each other around. Eventually dog had enough and led down under a bench at the edge of the park. I took the opportunity to sit down and mn rest.

More kids came to the park, and one girl, about 8, started SCREAMING when she saw the dog. Straight away I put the dog on the lead (even tho she was lying down, almost asleep) and said to the girl "it's ok, she's on a lead, she won't come anywhere near you" Girl keeps screaming and shouting about how she won't come to the park. Even tho her mates are telling her to calm down she runs back off up the estate. 10 mins later I'm getting a mouthful from an irate mother about me "letting the dog run wild" "dog scaring her daughter" "dogs shouldn't be in kids parks" "dangerous dogs" all interspersed with the foulest language.

I kept my cool, well not really, but at least kept it down and clean but she just wouldn't be told, even with the other kids telling her that her kid was lying.

We left then with her shouting she was reporting us.

Maybe it was smuggins wife?

Dallas, maybe you should have smacked the stupid child and foul mother around a bit. Lo

Smuggins, really didn't you know that creeping about in the countryside was dangerous. You sound like a townie.

There have been several hundred reports of large wild cats roaming around, there have been several reported sightings of wild boar. So if you are really that Jumpy, perhaps an indoor play centre would be more your thing.

Your attitude is truely horrendous.

mimimaths

Beertricks...I have been pondering your post for the last 20 minutes and simply have to ask you: What's a socky?!

Dd1 has just wandered up behind me and asked what I reading. She has few points she would like to make....

1. It was very naughty of your babies mummy to swear. That is how babies learn to swear and it's naughty and common.
2. She own a dog and if you smack her about a bit she will hit you back. She knows how to do that now because her Grandad has been learning her boxing
3. If the baby's mummy is frightened of dogs and gets scared when they are just walking near her she should go and see a vet and then they can tell her all about doggies and she won't be scared any more, because unless you are naughty to the doggies they won't bite you.
4. You shouldn't go around smacking people about because it is not the law and some one will phone the police and they will put you all in jail and then your baby will have to live in jail and that's not very nice.

She now wants to know what else Mumsnet says about doggies and kittens and would they let her have another kitten because I won't

"
She now wants to know what else Mumsnet says about doggies and kittens and would they let her have another kitten because I won't"

sHINY, FOR CHEEKINESS LIKE THAT, YOUE dd DESERVES ANOTHER KITTEN! :o

Shiny's DD, the mad dog lady says sorry for the capital letters and yes, of course you can have another kitten honey. :)

Shiny = if you want me to ask MNHQ to delete that last sentence, you can send a cheque to Vallhala at.... :o

Well said BeerTricksPotter. This is my point too.

I have a couple of little question for everyone. Where are you most likely to meet a dog?

A) In a field
B) Indoor poncy play space or any other child friendly, child safe environment. Where the worse you can expect is to be deafened, have your own child kicked, pushed or screamed at by other little darlings.

What is the probability of meeting dogs and owners in a county field?

In my town you are most likely to meet dogs in none of the above places. You do meet them in

C) The part of the beach where they allowed
D) The part of the park where it is unofficially acceptable to allow them off the leash (even the police turn a blind eye so long as the dogs are under control
E) My street - where we seem to have an extraordinary amount of abnormally well trained dogs who just wander up and down in front of their own houses not bothering a soul.

Vall - she is back in bed now but she actually says these things to people's faces . She is very out spoken when it suits her. And she probably is getting a kitten/cat soon.

Ahh I see, BeerTricks! Of course, I have no idea who wrote the BigBearDog post...

I was walking in the woods with DS (3) when a youngish dog shot halfway cross the meadow we were crossing. DS was a little way away from me running downhill. Dog started leaping up at his, sort of licking and excitedly snapping at his face. I was too far away and could only run while shouting at a woman who luckily was right there to pick him up.

The dogs owner gave it a good shouting at and a few whacks with the lead.

I still feel a bit sick when I remember that- and it makes me more watchful around dogs than I used to be.

You cant trust dogs off the lead. Thats just the way it is. Sorry Molly- dont think anything I could have taught my DS to do would have stopped that dog- it was excited. And young. And shouldnt have been off the lead.