to be considering somehow reporting this dog owner?

[WordsAreNoUseAtAll]

This morning, I walked 4yo DD1 to school a slightly different way than usual. (Not sure if it is relevant, but I was trying to show her that small changes aren't so alarming, so she had just been telling me how she was feeling worried and angry because things were different anyway)

As we walked along one of the streets, a dog came running out of a house, barking and growling (well, not growling - that sort of "grrrrrrrWOOF" they do). It looked to be a border collie, but quite a big and fat one. It was acting as if we were in its garden, but we were on the opposite side of the street.

The owner (a man of about 70 or so) then appeared at his door, shouting the dogs name, as it continued to run across to us (it wasn't running very fast as it kept stopping to growl/bark some more, but it was kind of guarding the house, iyswim). Then the owner, seeing that DD was now crying, said "oh, don't worry, he's only playing, he's a big softie". I know what dogs look like when they are playing - until I was 11 I had a border collie myself. The dog was not playing. It was behaving like another dog we had did when the postman came down the path - it was warning us away. I don't think it would have bitten us, but then it was a strange dog that was obviously not happy with us, so I wasn't about to take any risks.

When the dog stopped about arms length from me (with DD behind me) and carried on barking, I loudly said "can you get your dog away now please, it is upsetting my daughter" and the owner finally stepped out of his door (sighing, like we were being awkward) and called the dog back again with a more serious voice. I then hurried off with my arm round DD, trying to talk about school to distract her.

It probably lasted all of three minutes, but it shook me up, as well as poor DD, and at least I grew up with dogs so knew to stand my ground - a child by themselves (this was near a primary school just before 9am) would have panicked and run and probably wound the dog up more.

I understand that sometimes dogs escape, but the owner just wasn't bothered. The dog was bigger than DD and she was clearly upset, yet he didn't make any serious effort to control it.

AIBU to be thinking of somehow reporting it?

Not that I know where to report it to, tbh.

I think I will ask at school. A one off isn't a big deal, but we were at the tail end of the school run - it could have really scared the children if it ran into a group. I have no idea if it usually does it, if it does, presumably the school will know about it.

It didn't run in when the owner called, or at least what the owner thought was enough calling. It took him coming into his garden and doing a strict voice for the dog to come back, and the owner clearly thought this a huge imposition on my part.

Dogs (esp big ones) should not be loose and barking/growling at people (esp small children) on public streets. If they get out by accident, the owner should make every effort to keep them under control.

I would have thought that obvious, even from the perspective of keeping the dog happy.

Ah, I probably ABU. In future, what can I do in these situations? Do I just stand still until the owner comes to their senses or the dog gets bored, or shout at the dog myself, or what? I don't want DD to be scared, but I don't want her bitten more.

Btw, I let her pat friendly (and much bigger) dogs if the owner says it is ok and the dog is calm, so I'm not against dogs, just big ones that are clearly telling me that they don't like me.

So the dog ran off the man's property, across the street, and stopped arm's length from you barking? I love dogs. This would worry me. A dog that's very territorial should not be free to run out of the house. The dog could be hit by a car. And that dog sounds nervous - nervous animals are unpredictable. The owner is very unreasonable. I'd write a letter saying that the dog ran across the road and frightened your child and you will be reporting it if it ever happens again.

Thanks Narked - I was starting to think I was mad for not liking it!

www.direct.gov.uk/en/HomeAndCommunity/InYourHome/AnimalsAndPets/Dogs/DG_180008

Op, here's a link to the gov direct page regarding dogs in public spaces, including streets. It covers the definition of out of control in a public place - it would certainly include what happened on your walk to school.

For the dogs safety (regarding it running across the road and risking being run over), and for peoples safety, I think this dog owner needs a talking to.

I agree with the way you handled it - staying still, shielding your daughter and calling the owner.

Not bizarre

Irrelevant that the owner knows the dog and knows he won't hurt you

Your 4 yo doesn't know that. He frightened her. He was not under the owner's control on the street.

Worth reporting. Owner should be more aware of what a bad effect this could have on a child - could put her off dogs for life.

YANBU

A dog didn't just "bark at you".

A dog was loose on the street and ran up to you when you went past, barking and growling.

People (including children) have a right to walk down public streets without being frightening by aggressive dogs that are not under control.

Sorry, meant to say, I love dogs too but if my dog did this I'd be seriously worried and I'd be calling a dog trainer for advice.

The dog shouldn't have been loose in the street, period, but it doesn't sound like you were in any particular danger. If it had been out to hurt you it would have done so. Not nice for you, but not worth a formal complaint.

A tip I picked up from a trainer on the doghouse forum - if a dog runs towards you, put your hand up in a stop sign and say stop, or back really firmly, like you mean business. I tried it, and can confirm the dog backed off immediately.

Yanbu- i love dogs but they can be problematic. Dog owners/ dog lovers often can't empathise with those fearful of dogs. Do report it. Dog not under control. If a child is injured by the dog you would regret not reporting it.

Oh I seeeeeee....the dog actually came out of its garden to bark at you in the street!!

That's different. I would've crapped myself!

YANBU. In my bit of Australia there's a specific local law about dogs even barking at passersby, you know, that hurling themselves at the fence and scaring the bejesus out of you.

All yards have to be so built that dogs can be confined to the back yard. And good thing, too.

i dont understand what you want to report?

If his dog is barky and territorial he should really sort out a gate. It was loose, yes- left the property onto the street?

I was all ready to get a bit 'catsbum mouth', frankly: we have a barky dog, and our last set of neighbours got the police round and tried to push for her to be confiscated/destroyed because she barked at their daughter on one occasion. (They lied to the police in order to get what they wanted- they disliked dogs and we had a shared garden they liked to discourage other neighbours from using. Grrr.)

Incidentally, he may have said the 'she's playing' just to try to put your daughter's mind at rest and get her to relax..? If ours gets barky when someone comes to the door, I tend to say 'She's really soppy' (she is) so people don't tense up or worry overly.

Oh, and NO- don't shout at the dog if anything like this happens again..!

Avoiding dog attacks advice

"If it had been out to hurt you it would have done so."

Oh, well that's alright then.

How reassuring to know that there is no danger from a dog unless it has actually done harm.

It's totally fine for little children to be frightened out of their wits by aggressive out of control dogs, because if those dogs were really dangerous, the children would have bite marks to prove it.

FFS

Of course there is something to report. You are not allowed to have your dog wandering around the streets growling at people.

I'd be very wary of 'if a dog runs towards you, put your hand up in a stop sign and say stop, or back really firmly, like you mean business.'

Most dogs would stop. If it's a genuinely aggressive dog, raising your hand may be taken as a threat if it's close to you.