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

[curiousgeorgie]

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?

Oh my god, YNK sums up the aggressive, apathetic attitude of dog owners that think Tiddles the Mastiff should be able to run wherever, off their lead and in the papers the owners of the dog who have just maimed or killed a child 'oh, but he/she is such a softie'. People before dogs, sorry, but there it is. Parks are for children and anyone wishing to take their dog there should have them on a lead. It is because of people like YNK that my son is scared of dogs. It gives the responsible dog owners a bad name.

So how could I be a responsible parent? Keep my 2 year old away from the park? Always carry her? Arrange a babysitter for her when my dog needs a walk?

OP, I meant to add, I hope your DCs and dog are ok.

Another dog went un expectedly for my dog last year, they both played nicely then suddenly this sheep dog turned and pinned my dog down.

The owner took the dog to the car, apologised, then to my surprise she came back again and apologised again ( I was heavily preggers), had a close look at my dog, and chatted to me for a while.

where we are - there is no where that is dog free.

i actually think some parks should have dogs banned now.

i have a dog and I am sick of dangerous looking dogs around, off lead with irresponsible owners.

YES THEY HAVE PRIORITY IN ALL FUCKING AREAS BECAUSE THEY ARE PEOPLE, NOT DOGS.

The very LEAST that people can expect in a park is not to be apprehended by an aggressive dog or owner. Or in fact a friendly dog, because believe it or not, some people don't want to be approached by strange potentially unpredictable dogs. YOU are the irresponsible one YNK, you and your band of 'regular dog walkers.' I am a regular dog walker and I know many other regular dog walkers, and I have NEVER experienced an attitude such as yours.

There is absolutely no need for a dog to approach another person or a small child, regardless of where they are in the park. My dog is completely happy and has the time of his life running around in the park where there are other dogs and children, because he has been trained to act appropriately, and does so brilliantly. To suggest that a parent shouldn't use the area of the park where dogs run free is crazy, people like YOU should train their dogs not to approach people or other dogs.

Regardless of the intentions of the big dog in this situation (FWIW I believe you OP), the dog should NEVER have bitten the OP's dog. If the little dog acted defensively (and rightly so in the circumstances), then the bigger dog should have picked up on the signals and backed off- but he didn't. Which therefore suggests that the bigger dog cannot be trusted to be off lead. The little dog did absolutely nothing wrong.

I am giving you the benefit of the doubt in saying that you are clearly trying to wind people up YNK, if you aren't then I seriously hope that you don't actually own dogs.

what about your local paper?

Or in fact a friendly dog, because believe it or not, some people don't want to be approached by strange potentially unpredictable dogs

Totally agree.

Usually in the park small Dc and their parents want to come up to my little dog, " 'og og" ooh little dog....because she is astoundingly beautiful and gorgeous and now I have actually changed tack and I discourage it and just say she is a puppy she isnt but looks like one and she may get scared of your DC.

YNK if (to steal a phrase) ickle Tiddles your Bull Mastiff runs up to people and children regardless of intention ITS NOT UNDER CONTROL.

I think all dogs should wear a muzzle when out.

It would stop all these attacks dead.

No question and if you see a dog out without a muzzle - easy peasy, call 111. Dog out no muzzle....

Some dogs do wear them, they survive.

I cannot believe people defending the mastiff and owner.

I am 5'10" and a biggish build but if a mastifff came running at me I would shit myself. Seriously. Now imagine that you are 2.5yo? No-one, NO-ONE should let their dogs run at other people. Most people DO NOT like it, even if they are dog lovers.

Yes I own dogs, no I don't have a mastiff, yes my dogs are under control.
I am not going to keep repeating myself for the benefit of people who do not read my posts. If you hate dogs there are lots of places you can go where you will not encounter them.
Is that just too easy for you?

Morning everyone,

Thank you to everyone who brought this thread to our attention. We have no reason to suspect that anyone here is less than 100% genuine. We'd also like to remind you our our talk guidelines

It's difficult to say whether OP's dog behaved appropriately without having been there. In general dogs should not behave aggressively to solve tension. I walk with a pack of mixed breed dogs regularly and there are often little spats between them, the 'leader' of the pack never dilutes tension using aggression, he uses calming body language and a technique known as 'splitting'. Adding aggression to an already aggressive situation is always going to escalate the matter, however OP does not say whether her dog showed aggression/aggressive body language when coming between the dd and the Mastiff. He could have been doing any number of things. If he used aggression then, yes, perhaps a bit more socialising in order, but that does not mean that Mastiff was in the right, whatever OP's dog was or was not doing, the Mastiff should not have ran at them they way it did.

I also agree with whoever said that if the Mastiff was going for the child, then it would have went for the child, regardless of what the other dog was doing.

YNK it is not okay for any dog to run upto a small child, whatever it's intent, size or breed. If you cannot control your dog keep it on a fucking lead FGS. This is something that is really bothering me atm.

A good few months before I broke my arm my dog was attacked on lead by another dog on lead dog, well on one of those awful fecking flexi leads, that should be outlawed imo. After this she started suffering fear aggression on her lead. We had very nearly solved this problem and were up to allowing 3 second greetings with strange dogs when I broke my arm and her training stopped.

Sadly, I realised after deciding I was now well enough to brave on lead walk, that she has massively regressed and is now more lead aggressive than ever. It was a nice day on Friday, meaning more dogs than usual were out and about. Our walk was fucking terrifying and I am not scared off dogs at all. I am so glad my children were not there. I cannot count the number of off lead dogs that ran up to mine, on two occassions the owner was at least 10 foot behind their dog and unable to call it off. My arm is still sore and I had Devil Dog with me also so trying to keep Whippy from snapping at and thus potentially starting a fight, with the other dogs was painful and hard. My elbow is still painful from the extra strain put on it from holding her back.

One owner even muttered that fateful phrase "Don't worry, he's friendly" my reply was "You see that small, snarling black thing by the side of my leg, the one that is practically foaming at the mouth? Does she look remotely like she wants your dog to sniff her rear end? No? Then call him back NOW, she is on lead for a reason." I ended up using Devil Dog as a decoy and letting him loose every time a loose dog rudely approached us, in the hope that they would then greet him and give me and Whippy time to get a distance she felt safe with while the owners managed to control their dogs.

I haven't dared walk her on lead since and doubt I will again until the bad weather comes back and my arm is stronger.

It is not on to let your dog approach people or on lead dogs unless invited to do so. If you can't call them back immediately keep them on a lead until you can.

Children, other dogs, lead aggressive dogs, have every right to use public areas safely. If you can't be arsed to train your dog, rehome it to a rescue who will. For every one's sake.

OP YANBU

Ignore YNK it's obviously a wum

YNK it is not okay for any dog to run upto a small child, whatever it's intent, size or breed. If you cannot control your dog keep it on a fucking lead FGS. This is something that is really bothering me atm.

WHERE have I said this??

Oh and thanks Kate, I should to be able to voice my opinion without being called a troll!

The other problem is - we have been told consistently that we should not " get into dogs faces" they see it as a sign of aggression.

Most adults would instinctual know not to crouch down and get into a rotweilers face, but children? The same height anyway? what do they do?

You have not read my posts zukie. I cannot keep repeating myself so stick to what you imagine I have said if you really must!
Sure the parent has every right to go where she likes. If she does not like dogs running free, she has lots of other options. If she chooses to go to places where they are running free, she cannot guarantee all dogs are as well behaved as mine.
Why would you take that risk for your toddler, when there are many other options?
crazy!

How am I contradicting myself? Please read my posts properly.

Large breed dogs, who have been well socialised with small children, would more than tolerate a child being at eye level with them. It will be something they are more than used to. Direct eye contact by way of 'staring a dog out' should be avoided.

Most dogs when well socialised with people and children are more tolerant with small children than they are with adults. Whippy was socialised on school runs is quite happy to let children crowd her, kiss her, hug her, put their face against hers and even try and lift her up, although I usually intervene at this point in case they drop her.

Unfortunately my DD will no longer go to the park and is very reluctant to go on any walks or bike rides through woods or open spaces around here. She is on edge the whole time, waiting for a dog to appear. Just one bad experience was enough to put her off for life.

It's such a shame that dog owners seem to have no idea of how big and scary a dog can appear to be when it takes an unwelcome interest in a small child, especially when the owner is nowhere to be seen.

I'm all for dogs "running free" in designated spaces, and I really don't understand why it's too much to ask for children to be able to enjoy dog-free parks and public spaces.

This is literally like banging your head against a brick wall.

The OP clearly doesn't hate dogs, she has one. She does however object to an unknown HUGE dog running up to her DD, and i'd imagine that would be the case whatever the intention of the dog. By your reasoning, no children should be allowed in the park with any off lead dogs, because 'entitled' dog owners like you shouldn't possibly be expected to call them away from small children?! How does this make the parents the 'entitled' ones??!!!