Dogs on buses near babies

[FireLamp]

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

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?

Waitrose, use sardonic hyperbole all you like, you're still ignoring the research.

No Navy, I'm not after an argument. Just presenting your words back to you.

Can't believe that anyone thinks this is unreasonable. What kind of person parks their dog right next to a baby they for know? Of course they should keep them away from infants.

Sorry for bus drivers after reading this thread !

You were worried about your son grabbing the dog, so therefore you should have been the one to move away. It sounds like you were a lot less confident in your son's ability to keep his hands to himself than the man was in his dog's ability to not be aggressive.

The DC was already on the bus in the buggy space. How do you suggest she moves? And where to? DC is 10 months old, they can be a bit unpredictable. No reasonable dog owner would mind.

Some of the bat shit crazy ones on this thread, however, would rather see a child at risk than shift their pwecious mutts.

Your poor dog being muzzled for no need. That's horrible

Is being muzzled really so distressing for the dog? I see a lot of dogs wearing muzzles and they seem happy.

Why not put the muzzle on when you board the bus and take it off as soon as you get off? That way everyone feels safe and dog can sit anywhere. Nobody is going to get bitten or licked. Nobody need leave the bus. Would you really sit back and let a mother and child leave the bus out of fear, rather than keep your dog away from the child?

I agree, children on buses can be annoying and tiresome, especially when they cry. But they don't intimidate people, they don't cause anyone to feel fearful or nervous. They are no threat. They also don't slobber on people's feet or lick ankles.
I can't understand why you would not take a simple measure (muzzle and short lead) to ensure others using the bus feel safe. Why expect strangers to trust that your dog is gentle and predictable?

You were worried about your son grabbing the dog, so therefore you should have been the one to move away. It sounds like you were a lot less confident in your son's ability to keep his hands to himself than the man was in his dog's ability to not be aggressive

You are right... I'm not confident my 10-month-old will keep his hands to himself. He is far too young to understand why he mustn't touch the big furry thing sitting within his reach.

My priority is to protect my baby. I don't trust a stranger's prediction that their dog won't harm anyone... I don't want the dog to have that opportunity. It's too risky.

When the bus is crowded and the only space available is next to a baby or small child, I don't think it's appropriate to bring a dog on the bus without a muzzle. The bus should be a safe place for everyone.

Surf give it up.

You know what navy meant by safe to do so.

Navy I know you love your dog and you sound like a great dog owner but even with my guide dog I don't know for sure she won't bite someone. Probably not but there's always some degree of unpredictability. I do think it's my responsibility to do what I can to prevent that, And also as a parent I think it's my responsibility not to put my DD at risk.

Risk is very subjective. It's different in every situation. Calculating risk and responding to it is an individual thing. People do it differently.

But definitely, predictably I can say my dog may lick you at some point :)

surf you're talking about dogs being a risk. I'm pointing out other humans are a far larger risk, and yet nobody would suggest it is reasonable to have a stupid, entitled, ott reaction to other adults.

Navy, just for all dog owners, regardless of breed, to recognise that there is a risk of biting and exercise caution, that's all. It's not much to ask.

surf
Omg the university of Pennsylvania omg! Then ofcourse we are all wrong!
A lot of countries do these studies and they are all find different answers, so forgive me if i don't bow down to that one

No offence op, but you saying would you really let a mother and baby get off the bus, you are not any better than anyone.
I wouldn't get off the bus for anyone if i was on there with my pet.
Nobody has priority over someonelse.
I really don't get what this dog owner did wrong.
You didn't want the dog near you and baby ( even though it wasn't doing anything) and the person moved yet you still moaned about what the dog was doing
I think you're lucky they moved! Not much chance of people doing that on my buses

Navy, I did answer your question. I would want all dog owners to accept and recognise there is a risk, that's all. No muzzling, no public transport bans. Just an open mind.

Lurk, the thread is about dogs, not humans.

Kali, have you even read the article? Don't just dismiss it, it's perfectly valid research. Or link me to the research that concludes all dogs are bomb-proof and perfectly safe 100% of the time.

I'm definitely ignoring the research. It wasn't even done in this country for starters. I'm pretty sure that University isn't the be all and end all.

Anyway let's just remember sausage dogs are killers

Waitrose, so a dog of one breed born in the States has different characteristics to a dog of the same breed born in the UK? What tosh.

And quit with the 'killer' hyperbole, it's just childish; nobody said they were killers.

Navy, it's the 'my dog would never bite' line that I find disagreeable. I'm not alone in this, more PPs support my opinion than don't.

Prams shouldnt be allowed on buses. An old lady on a bus that I was on trip over the wheel on the prom and cut her head open.

Christ alive. People do far more damage to other people than dogs do to people. But I don't see you worrying about which person you put your baby down next to.

Also, I am quite confident that my dog wouldn't bite. There's a reason they're the most popular breed for lab testing and it's not because they're snappy.