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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Dogs on buses near babies

464 replies

FireLamp · 22/07/2016 18:53

Just to be clear, this isn't a goady thread about dogs and I don't hate dogs. Interested in others opinions as I have to take the bus daily!

I think owners should keep them away from prams and only take them on buses if there's plenty of space! AIBU?

Today, coming back from a long walk at a local beauty spot, someone plonked their husky-type dog right next to DS in his pram (pram was in the area with fold-up seats, 2 other prams opposite). As dog was on eye level with 10-month DS I asked him to move the dog. He assured me dog 'won't hurt him' but I said I'd rather not take the risk thanks, especially as DS will try to grab anything furry and interesting. He reluctantly moved dog into the aisle, where it meandered around on the end of a long lead, sniffing people and getting in everyone's way.

I've had similar with someone's dog licking my ankle on the bus, owner didn't seem to think it mattered Confused

Did I overreact or AIBR to think dogs should be kept on a short lead on buses, sitting next to their owner, away from babies/small children?

OP posts:
SoHelpMeDog · 23/07/2016 09:24

YANBU. This would have bothered me too, the natural reactions of a child to reach out and grab is very worrying around strange dogs. Our dog occasionally travels on the bus, no way would she be near other kids... She wouldn't be licking anyone either! As for not allowing dogs on public transport, that's ridiculous! It totally depends on the dog, and a responsible owner will know if they're ok or not. We took ours on a long train journey in first class, she laid on a blanket under our table. Most didn't even notice her till we got off!

NavyandWhite · 23/07/2016 09:24

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ChardonnayKnickertonSmythe · 23/07/2016 09:26

My DS's class guinea pig bit me once.

Horrid bitey bugger, Guinea pigs.

I'm appauled it wasn't muzzled. And discusted.

Lilacpink40 · 23/07/2016 09:27

I have posted earlier in this thread. I like trained dogs, but there are a minority that aren't trained.

Yes it's the owners fault, but no it isn't possible to tell temperament by looking at the dog. The seriously massive dog on the bus could be the biggest softie and the tiny pretty dog could bite and scar a child's face.

The opinion that everyone's life would be better with a dog in it is simply opinion. I could go on about how brilliant cats or children are, but I appreciate that other people have other views.

This isn't dog hating it's simply having another opinion.

For the record, I don’t let my children hurt or tease any animal. We've supported PDSA evets in the past and I wouldn't rule out ever having a dog. I would go straight to training classes and respect that not all people want to be near them though.

IJustAteTheKidsFoodAgain · 23/07/2016 09:27

Actually I will add from the other side that my children are very 'dog friendly' (and my dog is very child friendly if they happen to be holding a sandwich) however a friends dachshund has actually become quite aggressive several times with my DCs where it has had to be removed from the room because it was obviously about to bite. However it is a very dominant dog and appears to believe it owns the place. It's is also entirely the owners fault as I do believe that it has been led to believe it is in charge. Plus my dog hates her and I trust my dogs opinions!

Rrross1ges · 23/07/2016 09:31

I'm appauled it wasn't muzzled. And discusted

Where there's a blame there's a claim hun. You should sue the school. That guinea pig could of mauled a kiddie's face right off.

educatingarti · 23/07/2016 09:38

So, a baby in a buggy and a dog are at close quarters in a bus, as the op describes. The dog might be a total softy, but the baby can't understand that.

Imagine the dog is over friendly and licks baby's face. The child could be very frightened at this huge (to them) beast licking them and cause a real terror of dogs for many years.

Alternative scenario - baby loves the dog, is reachingvout and touching and mother and owner think it is ok as dog is placid and friendly. Then baby is too inquisitive and, without warning, accidently pokes the dog in the eye. Dog understandably snaps.

It is common sense to keep a dog away from being face to face with a baby in a confined space on a bus.

A dog shouldn't be allowed to roam the aisle of a bus either. There may be people with dog phobias, allergies and it could be a trip hazard if someone is trying to get off the bus, especially if they have poor mobility. Again common sense to keep your dog on a short lead.

NavyandWhite · 23/07/2016 09:46

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

WiddlinDiddlin · 23/07/2016 09:51

For those seriously concerned that every dog they get within 10 foot of is going to bite them..

Do you realise more people bite each other and more kids bite other kids, than dogs do?

And your child is in significantly more danger from humans, cars, and their own relatives, than they are from a dog.

So best not get on that bus at all, it may or may not contain a dog but will certainly contain a human and they are REALLY dangerous.

SurfBored73 · 23/07/2016 09:52

Even after the links posted to the Guardian story about dog bites, the evidence in the study from a university, the numerous stories over the years in the news, the anecdotal evidence put forward by many PP and the fact that dogs are known to bite there is still a blinkered view that it could never happen. It's just an irresponsible attitude.

If you asked a thousand parents would they leave their baby in room with a dog unsupervised you would get a thousand people saying no fucking way.

But some people just see what they want to see.

I can't carry on against such ignorance.

MistressPage · 23/07/2016 09:55

This thing about all buggies/prams should be folded on buses mildly bothers me. Anyone who thinks this should have to get on bus with baby in pram, fish baby out, hold wriggling baby with one arm, get changing bag out from under buggy, ditto bags of shopping, find somewhere to put them, fold pram with one hand... By this time you have taken up far more space and are sitting in jolting moving bus with wriggly unsecured baby on lap... Sounds dangerous to me. Fortunately in real life people are just normal and reasonable and on the few occasions I've had to get the bus no one has asked me to do this!

WaitrosePigeon · 23/07/2016 09:56

I can't carry on arguing with hysterics, either.

WaitrosePigeon · 23/07/2016 09:57

I definitely wouldn't take any notice of something in a newspaper either, rubbish source.

FuminFecker · 23/07/2016 09:59

YABU - if you had the problem you should have moved. Not made them.

Liz09 · 23/07/2016 09:59

SurfBored Not even. I'd have no problem leaving my baby alone with my Beagle unsupervised.

And I agree that you can't determine a dog's personality just by their breed. I've known far more snappy, temperamental Jack Russells and Daschunds than I've ever known Staffys or German Shepherds.

timeforabrewnow · 23/07/2016 10:02

The dog has to lick first, to get a taste and see if it wants to bite...

WiddlinDiddlin · 23/07/2016 10:04

I work with dogs, dogs with behavioural problems, I am in no way denying that dogs can bite, dogs do bite, dog bites can be pretty serious, or that people shouldn't train their dogs to behave appropriately in public.

But the hysterics around dogs merely EXISTING in the same space as a child are ridiculous. If you percieve that your child is at risk.... move your child out of the way!

I would never leave a child unsupervised in a room with a dog and I routinely remind dog owners of this, its unfair to both dog and child, but I don't see what that has to do with dogs being on buses, where both dog and child are supervised.

Why are there so many people who expect all dogs to be under 100% control, trained to behave like little furry saints, to tolerate anything and everything that might happen without reacting badly...

But its seemingly not possible to control a child to that level.

Genuinely, you all expect better behaviour from a DOG than another human being?

And of course a dog owner has to be far more responsible for their charges behaviour than a parent - a child can poke and grab at a dog, 'oh thats what they do' (not to MY dog they don't or you will get a RIGHT mouthful off me!).. but woe betide the dog that has a sneaky lick at a sticky hand!

timeforabrewnow · 23/07/2016 10:05

I can't believe this thread has 343+ posts on it. So many thoughts on dogs, babies and buses

ChardonnayKnickertonSmythe · 23/07/2016 10:08

I see this all the time.

People expect dogs to be better behaved than humans, they expect my dogs to be better mannered and more intelligent then them and move out of their way or something. I think if someone expects a dog to be as clever and bright as them then he, the human, clearly has some problems.

My dogs are lovely and friendly, they are dogs though.

wibblewobble8 · 23/07/2016 10:18

Genuinely, you all expect better behaviour from a DOG than another human being? This is it, in a nutshell. Its crazy isnt it? In all my years of using public transport (admittedly not that much now) never once seen any issue between dogs and humans. humans on the other hand...

WaitrosePigeon · 23/07/2016 10:20

It's only on MN that drivel apparently happens.

WaitrosePigeon · 23/07/2016 10:20

That this

TheDuchyOfGrandFenwick · 23/07/2016 10:21

If I expected dogs to be better behaved than humans then I wouldn't make mine wear a muzzle outside.

littlerabbitface · 23/07/2016 10:23

YABU.

dogs should be allowed in busses regardless of babies. Presumably owners know their dogs, and know they will behave etc..

If a dog is going to react at a pram, child or any other passenger it shouldn't be on a bus, but if its sitting quietly on a lead at its owners feet I see absolutely zero issues.

If you don't like dogs, move away from it.

kali110 · 23/07/2016 11:13

Justwhat i said would happen, a thread slagging dogs off.
Who would have thought Confused

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