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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Children on a school trip allowed to pet my dog... I'm bloody LIVID.

299 replies

HarderToKidnap · 15/11/2013 12:38

Should I phone the school about this? Every week I walk up to a local cafe with dog and toddler DS. I secure dog to pushchair on a short lead, he tucks himself behind the pushchair and snoozes in the sun. DS and I have cake and tea and sit by window so I'm next to dog, who is outside.

Today lots of primary school kids were out on a trip going from shop to shop collecting money for something. They went in the cafe before me and they left as I arrived. I placed my order, turned round to look at dog out of window and there must have been ten or twelve children crowded round him stroking him. He was covered in children. Teacher next to them smiling benignly and agreeing with kids how cute he was.

Dog is ten year old toy breed, is very cute but also very very nervous of children and has snapped at kids before. I never let unknown children stroke him. I was LIVID. For on,e he could easily have bitten one of the children and then they would be hurt and he may be put down. For two, who in their right mind lets lots and lots of children crowd an unknown dog???? I marched out there, said loudly "he doesn't like children and they shouldn't be touching him without asking the owners permission!" I was quite sharp but not snouty. Teacher said "yes yes OK" without really making eye contact and shepherded them off.

Should I phone the school concerned? Or was my sharp comment enough? Dogs are left unattended outside shops etc quite often and really the teacher should never be allowing the children in her charge to touch them, let alone crowd them. AIBU?

OP posts:
pianodoodle · 15/11/2013 12:48

It's not a school issue its a supervision of dog issue

Unfortunately it should be both but plenty of parents (and teachers) don't teach the kids not to go up and pet strange dogs so its easier not to leave them unattended.

It is a pain not to be able to go away for a minute but you can't rely on people to have the sense not to approach. A shame but better to be safe!

Gruntfuttock · 15/11/2013 12:49

YADNBU. It was extremely irresponsible behaviour on the part of the teacher. As you said, it could have had dire consequences. I think I would phone the head teacher and say what you have said on this thread. I wouldn't like the teacher to just think you were being grumpy or anti-children and that it would be OK to do it again with another person's dog.

It's also important that children know precisely why they should not approach or stroke strange dogs. Personally, I think this is one of those things that should be mentioned in assembly . NOT the individual incident with your dog, but the general advice about how to behave when you see a cute dog in the street. That would also remind the teachers present.

soimpressed · 15/11/2013 12:49

I'm a teacher and would never allow children to touch a dog whilst under my supervision.

eightandthreequarters · 15/11/2013 12:49

YABU to leave a dog who snaps at children tied up, unsupervised, in a place frequented by lots of children. You need to muzzle your dog.

And the teacher was an idiot. You're spot on there.

Raptorrethy · 15/11/2013 12:49

The OPs dog might snap but ANY dog could potentially snap if a group of children crowded around it. Children need to be taught to respect animals and the importance of always seeking permission from the owner before touching a dog. My DCs love dogs (and we have a dog) and it was challenging at times to stop them running over to pet a dog - but the message needs to be repeated over and over until it's second nature to them. I always tell them not to lower their face to a dog, as well.
And why shouldn't a dog be left secured to a buggy? Why should you 'expect' children to run over and stroke it - would it be fair game for them to climb into the buggy as well? Grin

OverseasNanny · 15/11/2013 12:49

Leaving a dog that you know snaps unmuzzled and tied up in a public space is v unreasonable

GhostsInSnow · 15/11/2013 12:50

OP wasn't clear whether toddler was outside with the dog or inside with them.

fluffyraggies · 15/11/2013 12:50

Weather or not you should have left your dog outside is another issue.

But safety procedures in schools are in place and are to be followed because there are risks when taking 30 kids down an ordinary street. This is the most important part of the thread IMO.

GideonKipper · 15/11/2013 12:50

Lessons to be learned on both sides - both you and the teacher need to behave a bit more responsibly. You have a dog who you know gets nervous and snappy when approached but you leave it unattended in a public place.

Delilahlilah · 15/11/2013 12:50

I don't think he should be left unattended either. Responsibility lies with you,and you know that he may snap. I don't think you had any right to be sharp with the teacher as you were equally at fault. I say this as a dog owner, and as a parent. Should my child be bitten in the circumstances you describe, I would have more issue with you than the teacher. If anything tying the dog to the pushchair is probably lulling passersby in to a false sense of security.

JumpingJackSprat · 15/11/2013 12:50

Yabu. Muzzle your dog when it's outside the house. If it bit someone it would be your fault for not supervising him. Not the child, school or teacher.

allmycats · 15/11/2013 12:51

OK the teacher made an error of judgement BUT you have a dog you know can be snappy with children and you leave it unmuzzled and not supervised.
Calm down and make sure your animal is not a danger to others

Nanny0gg · 15/11/2013 12:51

Teacher was in the wrong, yes.

ANY dog is a risk is the circumstances I've described.

Absolutely. So why do you leave him out alone in public when it will take you time to get to him?

KungFuBustle · 15/11/2013 12:51

YANBU, I'd phone the school. Any dog can snap and a crowd of unknown children crowding round for a pet might be too much for any dog no matter how mild mannered. Also if the dog was tied to a buggy he could have became protective of the child.

TantrumsAndBalloons · 15/11/2013 12:52

I agree. Any dog could snap in any situation.

which is why you do not leave a dog outside unattended

If he wasn't out there alone, they wouldn't have touched the dog.

You really should not be complaining to the school

You should be reconsidering leaving your dog out of reach while you have a cup of tea.

And I say that not as a dog hater but a dog owner.
3 dogs in fact.

I would never tie any of them up outside, even the one that is old and scared of its own shadow and would lick anyone who tried to attack him.

lardydahdydah · 15/11/2013 12:52

No Really, the onus is on the owner of the dog to stop it attacking people.

It doesn't matter if it's a dangerous dog or not, it shouldn't be allowed to bite people.

Now that might be standing next to your dog saying...please don't pet him, he doesn't like it...or muzzle him when you leave him tied up.

Either was the responsibility is with the owner

Elsiequadrille · 15/11/2013 12:53

"As it happened, he didn't snap even though he had loads of kids on him, so obviously he can be quite chilled!"

Then you were very fortunate, as you say he has snapped at children before. Better supervision/preventative measures in place next time I think.

HettiePetal · 15/11/2013 12:53

Sorry, but if you're going to leave your dog unattended (yes, I know you could see him, but he was still unattended) then you run the risk that someone, quite possibly a child, is going to stop to say hello.

If he bites & you're going to leave him outside, then muzzle him.

Yes, the teacher was irresponsible. But so are you.

timidgirl · 15/11/2013 12:54

Livid is an overreaction. But yes she should have asked.

You should also have your dog muzzled if you know he is snappy.

FlankShaftMcWap · 15/11/2013 12:54

Of course it was silly of the teacher, but she probably assumed that no one would leave a nervous dog with a history of snapping outside unattended. Obviously not a safe assumption but I'm sure she won't make the same mistake again.

Is the same to be said of you? Will you be continuing to leave your dog open to potentially distressing situations? If not and you have both learned from the situation then there really is no need to escalate the matter IMO. Put it down to experience and move on.

SleepyBum · 15/11/2013 12:54

Actually I think you were all BU.

The teacher sounds stupid.

But as a dog owner (and I have a dog myself who is nervous/over excitable with children) you simply should not leave him unsupervised in public.

Its your responsibility to assume that there are plenty of uneducated/silly people out there who will think its ok to stroke a strange dog without permission. That's why I would never leave my dog outside on her own. You are protecting your dog from the worst case scenario as well as any unsuspecting children.

trashcanjunkie · 15/11/2013 12:54

I think people make the assumption that if someone has left a dog tied up outside, that it is not going to bite or snap. YABU

Joysmum · 15/11/2013 12:55

It is your responsibility as an owner to keep the public safe and whether or not this teacher was right or wrong you are responsible for your dog and expect that many people don't understand that they can't just pet random dogs.

I disparity myself as the public think that horses are public property and that if they can be reached they can be fed. Not so. Leave dogs alone and leave horses and ponies alone.

Gileswithachainsaw · 15/11/2013 12:55

The teacher was very stupid.

However as a pp said, you have a dog that doesn't like kids and you left him strapped to the buggy ???

Why have a dog who snaps at kids at home with a child? Confused

Joysmum · 15/11/2013 12:55

*despair

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