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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

A dog ran into my house and the owner blamed ME

58 replies

NotAWhaleOmeletteInSight · 10/09/2015 21:33

I was getting toddler dd into the car this morning. The car was on my driveway.

A small dog suddenly ran onto the driveway and jumped into the boot. Then, the little blighter went charging off up the driveway and into the house. The door was wide open as we have builders in.

The owner strolled up as the dog was jumping out of the boot. "Oh for GOODNESS SAKE, you've got your DOOR open!" she exclaimed. I was quite taken aback.

I said something like "Er yes, could you call him back please? My cats will be very unhappy at him being in their space."

At this point she did an eye roll and said that obviously if there were CATS there, he'd come out more quickly WOULDN'T he?! One of the builders then came out carrying said small dog (cat sized, yappy type dog, no idea of breed) and handed him to the woman, who harumphed and walked off.

Am I being unreasonable to be a bit Hmm? I don't mind dogs (medium sized ones), but my cats are sensitive souls who are already having to put up with building work. I don't want them being upset by a random dog galloping into the kitchen.

This has happened before, but last time the door was closed so the dog just got into the car. It's never on a lead.

OP posts:
jacks11 · 10/09/2015 23:36

Owner sounds bonkers. And very rude.

Her dog is also clearly not under control. If it ever happens again I may be tempted to point out that there are rules about that.

Had a similar problem recently when a man walked his dog through my field where it got to close to a mare with foal at foot (despite warning on gate that this was not a good idea)- dog got kicked and the owner genuinely thought I should pay the vet's bill!

I have no idea which planet these owners live on. Bottom line- your dog, your responsibility to ensure your dog is appropriately trained and kept under control.

TheImpracticalCat · 10/09/2015 23:39

How bonkers! And infuriating when people refuse to put a lead on their dog even when they can't control it.

There's one woman I see walking her dog quite often along a horrible busy road on the edge of town - the dog trots along a few metres in front of her and she just stares down at her phone and doesn't even watch the dog. One day I was at work (at a vet practice) and the little dog was rushed in - it had seen a cat or something, darted across the road straight under a car. Thankfully the wounds were minor and the dog went home the same day after being treated for shock. A couple of weeks later I saw her again, walking along the same road - still on her phone, still no lead. :( There's just no getting through to some people.

reallybadidea · 10/09/2015 23:40

This reminds me of the that a dog got into my (fenced) garden, killed one of my chickens, chased the other one almost to death, while the owner screamed at ME to catch him. I was and still am Shock

Original poster
NotAWhaleOmeletteInSight · 11/09/2015 02:47

Some of these are hilarious!! I did an extremely loud snort at your suggestion Joffrey and nearly woke dh Grin I've woken up due to working myself into an irritated rage about the ruuude dog woman

If it happens again then what shall I say - definitely something about keeping it on a lead. What about threatening to tell the local dog warden? Is that a thing? I see it being mentioned quite often on the local Facebook page when people get cross about mess, but have no idea what kind of power they actually have. I'm picturing some sort of feline superhero with a cloak, wand and large salmon in each paw with which to beat the silly numpties around the head.

Please enlighten me - who or what is a dog warden? Are they from the police or neighbourhood watch or what?

OP posts:
GREYCROW · 11/09/2015 04:15

YANBU a neighbour's dog ran into my parent's house and mauled the cat... Humongous vet's bills and unfortunately she died anyway. But still they had to pay nearly £700. It was awful, the experience and for previously good neighbour relations.

contrary13 · 11/09/2015 09:30

My mother does this with her dog... refuses point blank to use a lead, despite the fact that they live in a cul-de-sac which hardly anyone knows is one - so there are cars zooming across the junction into it and screeching to a halt, before reversing at speed back out - and, perhaps more importantly, right next to a play-park. Dog is very friendly, thank goodness... but that's not the point. Not everyone is going to know that she's more inclined to make friends than enemies, are they?

Also, a few years ago, they had new neighbours move in next door. Dog took herself off visiting whilst the front door was open - and the neighbour was (understandbly, in my opinion) quite furious about the fact that there was a strange dog rampaging through his new home. Where his newborn baby was at the time. Dog was booted out (quite literally, from my mother's outraged view on the matter) through the front door and has (thankfully) never returned. Years later, my mother is still blaming (a) the new neighbour for "kicking [her] dog!" and (b) the previous neighbours for "letting her into their house all of the time!"... but not the person who is actually at fault (ie, herself!). She also refuses to understand that their new neighbour behaved in exactly the way they ought to have. I know, for a fact, that if a strange dog sauntered or ran into my house... I'd be removing them at speed and with a lot of shirty words directed at their excuse of an "owner"!

OP... these people - and I type as someone who has a dog that isn't allowed outside on the streets unless he's on a lead and under the control of an adult - are bonkers. And you'll never get through to this dog's owner that her beloved little dog doesn't have the right to roam freely and at will through your property... because the owner is arrogant enough to believe that the world will adapt and evolve to suit her and her selfish behaviour/attitude. Only someone higher in authority than she is will be able to get it through her thick skull that she's actually flouting several by-laws by having her dog off lead in such a situation, I'm afraid.

If I were you, I'd call your local council for advice. They might be able to help you solve the problem (do they still have Dog Wardens, I wonder...?) or, at least, steer you in the right direction to do so. Because it's awful to think, but what would have happened if that dog had attacked you? Or your toddler? For its own sake/happiness, it needs to be brought under control in situations where it could cause damage to others, or be damaged itself.

Frillsandspillsx2 · 11/09/2015 10:48

I remember my dog (King Charles spaniel, very friendly) ran out of our house and went straight into an old lady's house over the road who's door was open. I know her and her husband well as we've been neighbours for 20 years so her husband, who was standing on the step, allowed me to go in after the dog. I walked into their living room, very embarrassed and apologising, and there he was sitting on my neighbours lap kissing her face.

Thankfully they found it hilarious, but since then we've bought a gate for the front of the house and it's never happened again!

Dog owners have an obligation to keep their dogs under control, after that incident she should have apologised and promised to keep her dog on a lead to prevent it from happening in the future!
And to blame you is just ridiculous...

MiniCooperLover · 11/09/2015 11:38

If it happens again and she is arsey to you then loudly remind her it's her bloody dog and her responsibility!

BigbyWolf · 11/09/2015 11:42

Ah, you should've shut the door and whispered to her,

"He's my dog now..!"

Grin
Shiningdew · 11/09/2015 11:44

Mine did that as well Kurri Grin

violetwellies · 11/09/2015 11:46

How about trying, Dog gets in car, you shut dog in car and drive to police station. Hand Dog over.

I'd ring probably phone the council dog warden, I imagine she's committing some sort of offence.

BathshebaDarkstone · 11/09/2015 11:48

Joffrey Grin

BitOutOfPractice · 11/09/2015 11:54

You should have answered "What dog? I haven't seen a dog!"

Finola1step · 11/09/2015 11:56

I had something similar once. 4 years ago, moved to new town. A couple of days later, a random dog ran into the house through front door while I was quickly putting out some rubbish. Dog ran around downstairs, jumped up at 18 month old dd before I could grab it and start heading to the door. Neighbour then turns up and shrugs it off as if nothing out of the ordinary. No apology. No "How are you settling in?". Dog is the spotted regularly sniffing around outside the house.

It was a rental house while we were looking to buy. Year or so later, we moved into a new house round the corner. Landlord moved back in.

It turns out that the dog was very used to being in that house. The landlord had lived there previously with his wife and dc. The dog came to visit in the afternoon with his owner while the wife was out. The dog owner was the OW. The landlord had moved away, rented out the house to us, while he was trying to repair his marriage. It all fell apart, he moved back in, the dog and its owner then moved in a few months later.

So OP, keep an eye on that dog and its owner Grin

BitOutOfPractice · 11/09/2015 11:57

I think Dog Wardens are only in Lady and the Tramp aren't they?

A dog ran into my house and the owner blamed ME
TheoriginalLEM · 11/09/2015 11:58

joffrey- you won the internet with that comment!!

TheoriginalLEM · 11/09/2015 11:59

closely followed by finola!!

LyndaNotLinda · 11/09/2015 12:01

We have dog wardens where I live so I'm sure they have them in other places too :)

I think next time you need to be rude and tell her that if she can't control her dog, she needs to put it on a lead.

Or do what Joffrey said :o

SoupDragon · 11/09/2015 12:02

My dog bounced out of my garden, up my neighbours garden, into their house and onto their bed, waking them up.

I apologised profusely when they eventually told me, weeks later as I had no idea. As dog owners, they weren't actually bothered but I was mortified.

I do get exasperated with the fact that he can get into neighbouring gardens because they haven't maintained their fences but ultimately it is my responsibility to keep him in. I would never blame them.

SoupDragon · 11/09/2015 12:04

If you can't keep your dog under control, you have an obligation to keep it on a lead

The badly maintained fencing is why SoupDogg is always on a long line in the garden. Except when he has managed to escape by accident.

TheoriginalLEM · 11/09/2015 12:04

violet - if only that were so. i know of an incident where a cat was killed by a neighbours dog entering the house. The police were called and they said no crime had been commited. a second neighbours cat was attacked and ended up with massive vet bill. no come back whatsoever. First cats owner was injured trying to stop the dog so it was followed up on this basis.

Lightbulbon · 11/09/2015 12:05

I would be apocopleptic if a dog came in my house!

glenthebattleostrich · 11/09/2015 12:20

When I lived at home our soft as butter German shepherd managed to escape just as neighbour was getting in their car to go to work. DDog rushed past, leapt into the car and scrambled across to the passenger seat and sat expectantly with paws on the dashboard. We apologised and took chocs around!

I'm wondering if the crazy dog lady expects you to climb out of the window so her mutt doesn't get into your housw

paulapompom · 11/09/2015 13:27

She is lucky you, and by the sound of it the builders, are ok with dogs. I am an animal lover, but not everyone is. The Labrador where I used to live ran into any open door, (then slid on the laminate and couldn't get out Grin) we loved him, but my neighbours didn't and threatened legal action against the owner, who was very nice and apologetic. Some people are really sacred of dogs running about. Also it sounds like he could easily run in the road and be hurt.

If it happens again I think you need to tell her she is really irresponsible (or take joffreys advice) x

MsAdorabelleDearheartVonLipwig · 11/09/2015 14:12

Employ your best school matron voice and bellow at her 'PUT THAT DOG ON A LEAD!!' Might shock her into something. Grin