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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To think the law should be able to do more about this dog??

304 replies

curiousgeorgie · 21/04/2013 21:35

Walking in the park today with my DH, 2.5 year old DD & dog, and DD walking in front of us (a very late walker, so very slow and can't run yet), suddenly a mastiff (we think) runs from the trees straight to DD and before we can get there literally steps away, my dog is between them.

It was so so quick but this dog was going for my child, and subsequently absolutely savaged my dog, I grabbed DD, was screaming for the owner and DH was trying to separate this dog from our dog (who is a small friendly breed and was pinned down, yelping, it was awful.)

The owners appeared and pulled the dog off after a few horrible minutes, and argued with us that the dog wasn't dangerous, and the woman got completely in my face and threatened me (while 30 weeks pregnant holding my sobbing DD) so we quickly left.

I called the local police from the car and was told there wasn't anything they can do about the dog as it didn't attack a human. (thank god though.)

But the fact remains, that a dangerous dog is allowed to remain in the park on a sunny weekend day where surely there'll be lots of children??

I'm so so angry and upset about this, my DD is really not herself and my poor dog left with bite injuries to his mouth, ears, face and neck.

Just because this dog didn't quite manage to bite my DD nothing can be done?? AIBU?

OP posts:
Softlysoftly · 22/04/2013 01:56

That would be a yes then.

TerraNotSoFirma · 22/04/2013 01:56

YNK if dog wonders were responsible and kept their dogs on leads, then the world would bre a safer place.
Where the hell do you think children should play?

TerraNotSoFirma · 22/04/2013 01:58

Owners not wonders (bloody autocorrect)

pickledginger · 22/04/2013 02:00

What a strange post. Where do you think children should be???

Doodledumdums · 22/04/2013 02:00

YNK- Where does it say that the OP's dog went for the other dog? That isn't what I read at all?! I read that her dog was savaged, not the other way around?!

So what you are saying is that parents shouldn't talk their children to the park, because dog owners have the perogative to let their unruly dogs run wherever they like? So parents aren't allowed to 'own' the park, but dog owners are?! I thought that the park was for everyone?I don't think anyone is actually trying to 'own' it.

OP, your dog sounds like a lovely, loyal animal and I really hope that he and your DD are okay.

Doodledumdums · 22/04/2013 02:01

YNK- Where does it say that the OP's dog went for the other dog? That isn't what I read at all?! I read that her dog was savaged, not the other way around?!

So what you are saying is that parents shouldn't talk their children to the park, because dog owners have the perogative to let their unruly dogs run wherever they like? So parents aren't allowed to 'own' the park, but dog owners are?! I thought that the park was for everyone?I don't think anyone is actually trying to 'own' it.

OP, your dog sounds like a lovely, loyal animal and I really hope that he and your DD are okay.

YNK · 22/04/2013 02:02

They should play in the places where dogs do not run free! Would you insist they play on a busy road?
No?
Then why put them in the way of free range dogs?
It's crazy, territorial and irresponsible to use your child to make a point!

TerraNotSoFirma · 22/04/2013 02:04

And where exactly are these places where dog don't run free?

pickledginger · 22/04/2013 02:06

Dogs are a pretty good judge of canine intent. This 'small, friendly breed' felt it needed to put itself between the child and the other dog. And was bitten, pinned and had to have the other dog dragged of it as a result. Then the owner was aggressive, threatening the OP. Which is more likely to be the ill trained dog?

YNK · 22/04/2013 02:06

Re read the op, Doodle! Her dog was the aggressor. I am sorry it came off worse, but it should not have been anywhere where it felt the need to defend it's owner. If it is so defensive it should not have been placed in that position! The owner was risking the safety of her dog and child! There are lots of safe places to go without the need to do this!!!

pickledginger · 22/04/2013 02:07

Are you American?

YNK · 22/04/2013 02:09

There are very few parks and places where dogs can run free. Usually identified by 'please keep your dog on a leash' signs!

pickledginger · 22/04/2013 02:09

If you are, I think you might be confused. In the UK we don't really have 'dog parks'. We have parks that are used by everyone.

Doodledumdums · 22/04/2013 02:10

Roads are specifically for CARS! Of course you wouldn't let children play on a road!! Parks however, aren't just for dogs! If the OP had let her child run wild in a dog pound then you may have a point, but she didn't, so you don't.

How have you come to the assumption that her dog is unsocialised?! And even if it is (which I fail to see you can assume from her OP), HER dog was minding its own business until the other dog came over.

YNK · 22/04/2013 02:11

Yup, dogs are a good judge of canine intent. A dog was attacked and defended itself. It's owner sounds like she was aggressive toward the bigger dog too!

pickledginger · 22/04/2013 02:13

Again, if you aren't aware, dogs are allowed to be off lead in the UK. Parks are not 'dog parks.'

Doodledumdums · 22/04/2013 02:15

I have re-read and re-read the original post....Her dog was absolutely not the aggressor. The aggressive dog came out of nowhere and looked to attack the child, so the OP's dog stood between the child and the other dog...if this is considered to be aggressive behaviour then i'm clearly an awful lot more aggressive than I realised! I never realised that standing could be considered aggressive.

YNK · 22/04/2013 02:17

Yes 'the dog came over'. It had no aggressive intent that I can see from the op until it was attacked.
I bet the bigger dog is in that park every day, 365 days of the year,hail rain or shine.
I wonder how often the op takes her dog out to socialise with other dogs there?
Probably once in a blue moon when the sun shines, and then she also takes her child to toddle where the wee dog could get upset by another curious dog.
Crazy irresponsible parenting (and dog ownership).

TerraNotSoFirma · 22/04/2013 02:18

YNK you have not read the OP.

TerraNotSoFirma · 22/04/2013 02:18

Correctly, the OP's dog was defending the child.

YNK · 22/04/2013 02:19

The dog did not go for the child. No human was attacked!

hellhasnofurylikeahungrywoman · 22/04/2013 02:20

YNK You're not the owner of the mastiff are you because you hold some pretty strange opinions of the rights and wrongs in this case.

TerraNotSoFirma · 22/04/2013 02:20

Only because the OP s dog. Put itself in. Front of the child.

TerraNotSoFirma · 22/04/2013 02:20

Apologies for full stops,, iPad has a mind. Of its own tonight

pickledginger · 22/04/2013 02:21

I don't think you're actually reading the OP or other posts. This is a park. Not a dog park, a park. In the UK. Where dogs can be off lead pretty much anywhere as long as they're not worrying livestock. Like walking along the pavement, or in a public park. Where people take their children to play.