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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Dog off lead running at DD in park

480 replies

megcleary · 26/10/2011 16:19

AIBU to have roared at man who said oh he won't hurt her.

My comments on his dog owning skills included the fact there is no sign on the dog to say he won't attack DD, the dog should be on a lead, sign as you enter park and the dog did not return/ respond when he called it.

His response was to tell me to shut up.

I hate dogs on the loose in the park.

OP posts:
Helenagrace · 26/10/2011 17:29

This is a real problem in our park. One guy walks an out of control dog regularly. After about the tenth time of him shouting "it's OK he won't hurt you" as his dog hurtled over to knock one of my children flying I shouted back "Don't worry. If he does I'll make sure he's destroyed". He now keeps his dog on the lead.

I wish our council could set up a dog walking area away from the play area. Then everyone could enjoy the space.

DesperatelySeekingPomBears · 26/10/2011 17:30

custard and andrew to be fair my dog wouldn't get as far as slobbering or jumping on someone. She'd just run towards them in a curious fashion, ignoring my desperate bellows for her to get her arse back to me.

And of COURSE I would apologise profusely. She's my dog and she scared your child. I would also probably reassure you that she's not the attacking type. What I'm saying is our animals are animals and kids are kids and neither are ever going to be completely under control and do exactly as they're told first time, every time.

onagar · 26/10/2011 17:30

So where are dogs supposed to get off lead exercise if nit the park?

dog-owners have a right and a duty to allow their dogs to exercise

If you can control your dog completely and don't let him shit everywhere then fine.

If you can't control it and you live in a city then you simply shouldn't own a dog because there is no reasonable way to let an uncontrolled dog exercise without it impacting on other people.

DogsBeastFiend · 26/10/2011 17:33

Roaring mother - unreasonable.

Screaming-at-dog child - unreasonable.

Owner allowing dog off lead in an area where signs (and therefore presumably bye-laws) demand otherwise - unreasonable.

Owner not training dog to recall - unreasonable.

The only one who comes out of this well is the dog.

topknob · 26/10/2011 17:34

I can't stand irresponsible dog owners. I have a GSD...she is ALWAYS on the lead in a park...fgs she is a dog and there are kids about...all it takes it one child to hurt her, unintentionally and you cannot guarantee how she would react. Any dog will react if hurt or scared. I would never forgive myself if she hurt or upset a child. Kids always come first. If I want to take her off lead we go to the fields were there is no childrens park. She also has fantastic recall.
I get knarked also if dogs approach my kids, at speed. We don't know if they are friendly and a dog can so easily knock a small child over which isn't right.

LemonDifficult · 26/10/2011 17:35

A dog off the lead in a specifically on-lead park - then YANBU

If dog off lead in a normal ordinary park - then YABU.

Agree with Milly that dogs are just part of life - get used to it. Like satellite dishes or big cars or talking too loudly on the train, dogs are something some people enjoy and others don't. 'Nobody needs X' is a weak argument in a free and civilised society.

Hysteria about dogs - oh so much of it - is a recent bourgeois thing that totally doesn't understand the essential role dogs (and for that matter cats) have played in society. Whilst not essential for the pot/pest control any longer, they are still essential for some people in terms of companionship. Maybe people don't need companionship from animals, but I'm glad there's the option to have it.

TheVampireEmpusa · 26/10/2011 17:37

YANBU

Got sick of having to shout at people in our local park for letting their dogs (who they either wouldn't call back or couldn't call back) run up to us. Fucking stupid.

Especially in our case where the reason we didn't want the dogs running over was because our (large) dog was terrified of other dogs and would try to defend himself. He was, of course, on lead - as dogs can be walked on lead without any detriment to their health.

Some people are just too irresponsible to own pets. Angry

DogsBeastFiend · 26/10/2011 17:38

What person came up with the gem "Nobody NEEDS a dog"? I can see it referred to above but not the original comment.

Taking that at face value may I remind whoever said it that nobody NEEDS a child either.

GypsyMoth · 26/10/2011 17:39

Onagar...... And if you DON'T live in a city??

onagar · 26/10/2011 17:40

dogs are just part of life - get used to it. Like satellite dishes

Up to a point. If you were enjoying the fresh air and a satellite dish hit you and knocked you down then you'd probably be displeased.

onagar · 26/10/2011 17:43

ILoveTIFFANY the only reason I put 'if you live in a city' was that there might be isolated places where you could let an uncontrolled dog run free. Not too many I shouldn't think or you'd get some farmer shooting it to stop it bothering the livestock.

izzybiz · 26/10/2011 17:44

My SILs whippet was kicked last week for 'running at' a woman and her DC.

He was infact running past them to get back to SIL who had called him.

Andrewofgg · 26/10/2011 17:45

Hysteria about dogs - oh so much of it - is a recent bourgeois thing that totally doesn't understand the essential role dogs (and for that matter cats) have played in society.

LemonDifficult Have you not noticed that the world changes? Dogs no longer have an essential role at least in Western society and where they are harmful to humans, adult or child, they can and should be controlled or even banned.

DogsBeastFiend It was I who said that nobody needs a dog. And I stand by it. As I do by my later post that we were all children. Children are a necessary part of our society. Dogs aren't.

cricketballs · 26/10/2011 17:48

dogsbestfiend - it was Andrewofgg and I already made that point, but apparently because we were all children once that was the end of that argument Grin

onagar · 26/10/2011 17:48

izzybiz Unless she had very long legs it sounds like the dog was close enough that the woman had cause to think so. If your dog was about to swerve round them that was unfortunate, but blame the 1000s of dog owners who routinely let their dogs jump up people.

popadop · 26/10/2011 17:51

I hate when I am sat in the park mining my own business. I could be sat on the bench reading and having some lunch when a small child comes up to me and won't stop talking while her mother is 100 yards away nattering to her mates.

God that's annoying control your kids to stop bothering me.

cricketballs · 26/10/2011 17:52

andrewofgg - I take it you aren't a doggy person then!

DogsBeastFiend · 26/10/2011 17:53

Might have guessed it was you Andrew.

Sadly no time to tell you why you're wrong and to read whole thread, have dogs to deal with.

izzy, woman is lucky she didn't kick MY dog or that I wasn't witness to her kicking your SILs dog... I'd have kicked woman to kingdom come.

moosemama · 26/10/2011 17:57

Adnrewofgg, have you read my post? Have you considered all the roles that dogs actually do play in our society when you make your ridiculous statements about nobody needing a dog?

As for your other statement about dogs being harmful to humans. Dogs in and of themselves are not harmful to humans, a well trained and cared for dog is an asset to its owner and a pleasure to both its owners and other people. They are only a problem when kept by irresponsible, or worse, owners. As someone else mentioned, there are many things in this life that are either, dangerous, annoying, intrusive or all three. Most of them as a result of selfish, irresponsible humans - drink drivers, guns, knives, poisions, drugs, murderers, rapists, child abusers etc etc. Save your venom for some of them. In fact, when you look at it like that, this world would be a far better place if it were rid of humans, not dogs.

thetasigmamum · 26/10/2011 17:58

gomez I really don't care. So long as it is nowhere near me or my DCs.

callmemrs · 26/10/2011 18:09

Yes popadop -I entirely agree.

People should control their children and not let them cause a nuisance to others AND control their dogs

The two things aint mutually exclusive 'you know

toboldlygo · 26/10/2011 18:12

Andrewofgg - Highly recommend 'In Defence of Dogs' by John Bradshaw should you ever wish to have an informed position on the subject. No fluffy-bunny 'aww, let the poor doggies run free' but a frank and scientific account of why the modern dog is in crisis and why they are increasingly incompatible with Western culture.

I dare you to tell any guide dog owner that dogs don't have an essential role to play in Western society. Or, y'know, us average joes who rely on them merely for companionship, exercise and self-fulfilment.

4madboys · 26/10/2011 18:20

want to 'like' all calamity kates posts Grin

i have nothing against dogs but have been in the same situation as the op a number of times and because of this two of my boys went through phases of being scared of dogs :( thankfully we have relatives and friends with dogs who we were able to socialise with to show my boys that they dont need to be scared, but equally they know NEVER to approach or try to pet a dog without the owner there and the owner saying it is ok.

if you cant control your dog keep it on a lead, my ds4 was sent flying by two massive dogs on a recent walk in the woods and the owner was all 'they just want to play' great, but my 3 yr old who is smaller than the dogs DOESNT want to and he is screaming because he is terrified.

DogsBeastFiend · 26/10/2011 18:35

And if you can't control your child, keep it on reins - my dog was delibrately poked in the face recently by a 4 or 5 yo child whose mother wasn't sensible enough to control it.

4madboys · 26/10/2011 18:38

well actually i do have a backpack type thing for ds4 which i would use if he woudnt come back when called or for walking somewhere busy.

but then i have taught my children NOT to approach dogs they dont know or to touch them and they wouldnt poke a dog in the face as they have been taught how to pet a dog correctly. also if we are out somewhere and there is a dog running about not on a lead i will get my children to stay close to me and remind them NOT to try and touch the dog.

it works both ways.