Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

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:
nailak · 22/04/2013 11:48

like where? to get to the swings you have to go trhough park? also park is area for ball games, frisbee, walks etc...

Original poster
curiousgeorgie · 22/04/2013 11:49

YNK, then I ask you again, how could I have been a more responsible parent??

For what it's worth, I love dogs. I have a dog. We regularly walk in this park with family and frends and dogs and small children and have never had a problem.

Do you not think its unreasonable to suggest I go somewhere they don't allow dogs, given that I have a dog that needs walking??

Would you like me to always walk Dog & DD in separate parks??

OP posts:
YoniRaver · 22/04/2013 11:53

Its is a dog owners responsibility to STOP its dog from running up to a child, or even an adult, I hate dogs running up to me and I dont care how 'soft' they are,

I dont hate dogs..I hate irresponsible dog owners

Softlysoftly · 22/04/2013 11:55

Erm YNK? I think you'll find you've said it twice. ....

Dogs who love small children will run straight at them/up to them

Well ok then you have chosen to risk your sandwiches where there are dogs running free so deal with it!

GooseyLoosey · 22/04/2013 11:56

YNK - parks are for everyone to enjoy. That is their function. There are no areas specifically for dog owners to enjoy. Therefore, those there with dogs should ensure that their usage does not adversely affect other people's. Likewise, any other user should ensure that they are not stopping other people enjoying the park.

Most councils have guidance on the use of public parks. Here's an example of what one says about dogs "Keep your dog under control and within your sight so as not to cause alarm to other park users... Take extra care when your dog is off the lead to ensure that it does not frighten or alarm people or other animals". The owners failed to do that in this case.

I have incidentally not found one council that recommeds keeping children out of parks so that dog owners can enjoy them! That may be what you would like, but it is not the reality of the function that parks are there to serve.

zukiecat · 22/04/2013 11:58

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

YNK · 22/04/2013 11:58

No I dont walk my dog and grandchild seperately. I often take them to the park where all dogs are on leads. If I take him out to the park where dogs are running free I am vigilant where there are strange dogs around and would choose to go to the other side of the park.
I have often chosen to go home if I am in the least unsure about my grandson or dogs safety.
I appreciate this dog came running out of the woods without it's owner. Now you know this can happen I trust you will make better choices for your child and dog.

Original poster
curiousgeorgie · 22/04/2013 12:01

Better choices HOW??!

What bad choice did I make when the dog came through the trees with no warning, when you say that you yourself have taken a child to a park where there are dogs??

OP posts:
Softlysoftly · 22/04/2013 12:02

Better choices being stay home incase wallys like you are out with your happy bounding free hell hound YNK?

Do you have a neck tattoo and JKyle on speed dial to go with that attitude?

YNK · 22/04/2013 12:02

If you all want to make choices based on how you think things SHOULD be, that is entirely up to you.
Personally I would not risk my granchild, my dogs, or my sandwiches, when there are so many other options.
That really would be crazy!

D0oinMeCleanin · 22/04/2013 12:03

For the love of god have you actually read back what you are writing YNK?

OP should be able to enjoy the woods without having to worry about of of control dogs.

FWIW I used our local woods to train my dogs recall, because they are always deserted, they were still always within my sight and leashed up before we exited the woods.

It is not parent's responsibility to think about or plan for other people's dogs, they should be leashed or under control.

Parks and woods are for everyone to enjoy, safely. OP does not need to make better choices, the owner of the Mastiff needs to retrain her dog and control it properly.

34DD · 22/04/2013 12:03

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SoupDragon · 22/04/2013 12:05

Any dog who bounds up to a child unchecked is not under control.
Any dog who attacks another dog is not under control.
Any dog who runs through someone's picnic is not under control.

Anyone who believe otherwise is an idiot.

Original poster
curiousgeorgie · 22/04/2013 12:05

YNK, then do you actually suggest that it would be a better choice if I never took my dog to that park? That I should find someone to look after DD everytime he needs a walk??

OP posts:
YNK · 22/04/2013 12:06

No need to be insulting (again!) Ss. Again I will tell you my dogs are under control.
You betray your entitled attitude by referring to my dogs as hellhounds. You don't know us and you refuse to listen to what I am saying, preferring to insult instead of engaging in reasonable manner!

YNK · 22/04/2013 12:10

Correct Soupdragon. Why would you take the risk when there are lots of other options. Why do you need to go to that particular park, op? Just because you can?
Again, I will say that I DO control my dogs. Yawn!

Softlysoftly · 22/04/2013 12:10

But YNK I tried reasonable, I tried shouting, we've all tried logic, it didn't work therefore I'm resorting to amusing myself with pisstaking.

It prevents me from slamming my head into the wall in despair.

MajaBiene · 22/04/2013 12:11

What are the other options if your child wants to ride their bike in the park, or you want to have a picnic? Stay at home so you won't meet any out of control dogs?

Original poster
curiousgeorgie · 22/04/2013 12:12

34DD - my dog did nothing wrong. He had perfect recall and didnt bother anybody. He was completely under our control until this dog lunged at DD, and I am ridiculously grateful for what my dog did then.

My dog has numerous cuts, scratches, had a bloody mouth, face, ears & neck.

My parents live two minutes from the park, we went straight there and my parents (again, lifetime dog owners) looked at him and I rang the emergency number on my vets answering machine. They asked mea few questions and subsequently I'm taking him in today.

My dog is a much smaller dog, but not minuscule, he is a spaniel, and today he is quiet, subdued, doesn't want to play with DD and has a hot nose.

My dog doesn't have to be dead for this dog to have gone for my DD, he's injured enough.

OP posts:
Original poster
curiousgeorgie · 22/04/2013 12:13

And again, thank god my dog wasn't on a lead.

OP posts:
Doodledumdums · 22/04/2013 12:13

Yes, and you are clearly listening to other peoples POVs aren't you YNK?!

So you say that you take your grandson to parks where dogs are off lead. So does he have some sort of magic repellant that wards off dogs? Because otherwise I fail to see what exactly the OP has done that you don't do yourself. That is VERY hypocritical. So if a dog ran from behind a tree towards your grandson, how exactly would you react/do differently?

I am genuinely very interested to know.

Original poster
curiousgeorgie · 22/04/2013 12:15

YNK - why shouldn't I go to that park? It's close to my house, my DD likes it. How will any other park with dogs somehow be different??

OP posts:
SoupDragon · 22/04/2013 12:16

YNK, I think you are under the impression I agree with you. I don't. You appear to think dogs are equal to humans. Again, you are sadly mistaken.

SoupDragon · 22/04/2013 12:18

Dogs who love small children will run straight at them/up to them, with no evil intent!

I you believe that is acceptable then I do not believe you have your dogs under proper control.

Softlysoftly · 22/04/2013 12:22

But people please note that YNK is clearly saying that loose dogs are an inevitability so we should avoid the situation and stay out of parks.

Just as rapists are inevitable so we should all stay home and wear long skirts.

Burglary is inevitable so don't get attached to your valuables.

Drink driving is inevitable so if you choose to drive don't complain if they crash into you.

Terrorism is likely so move out of urban areas.

That's the size of it Yes YNK?

Swipe left for the next trending thread