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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:
Propertyquandry · 22/07/2016 20:14

To be fair, I used to volunteer at a training centre for assistance dogs. I worked in the cafe though! Grin Those dogs are basically tested and trained to withstand all sorts of tugging and pulling and especially distractions. And only certain breeds are chosen for this reason too. So personally, I'd be less wary of an assistance dog. Of course the non assistance dog could be just as placid but I have no way of knowing that.

Vittoriosa · 22/07/2016 20:15

YANBU. Dogs should not be allowed on public transport. If you don't know a dog, you can't trust it and there might be a miniscule chance something will happen, but that's not a chance I would ever take with my baby.

PageStillNotFound404 · 22/07/2016 20:15

I've taken dogs on public transport many time. It's not that hard to keep a trained dog under close control and it's worth it not to be the dick in the bus who gives all dog owners a bad name.

People bang on about their rights but seem to forget that with rights go responsibilities, and I consider it my responsibility to prevent my dog from being a nuisance to others when we're sharing a communal space.

Newes · 22/07/2016 20:16

Dogs give off lots of signals. They never just turn and bite. So if a dog is sat quietly on a bus that does suggest it is quite steady to start with. Keep grabby little hands away from its ears and it will be fine.

IHateDoors · 22/07/2016 20:17

For god's sake Property don't go diffusing things by being all measured and reasonable. That's not how we reach 10 hate filled pages! I feel sorry for your kids tbh 😜

Propertyquandry · 22/07/2016 20:18

People are ignorant. They don't understand how dogs work. They don't just think ' I know I'm going to bite/lick/nuzzle this kid next to me ' that's not how they work.
As hard to believe as that is.

That's not hard to believe at all. But it's not always the case. On many occasions I've gone to dog owning friends houses and their dog has jumped up my front, wagging it's tail to say hello. That doesn't frighten me, although it may do if I didn't know the dog. It's just that I really dislike it.

ChardonnayKnickertonSmythe · 22/07/2016 20:18

You're welcome to walk, Vittoriosa.

mzS1990 · 22/07/2016 20:18

Yanbu. I don't want other people's animals near my children really. Not sat right next to them eye to eye.

Lurkedforever1 · 22/07/2016 20:19

I'm with navy etc. And for the record, I've had far more badly trained children approach and interact with my dogs, than I've ever had badly trained dogs ever approach dd. And my dogs are impeccably trained, unlike so many dc.

Can I play mumsnet bingo though? I have a 4x4 as well as dogs, one of which meets mn criteria for being a dangerous breed. And cats that roam.

Propertyquandry · 22/07/2016 20:19
Grin And as you have a dog, I must feel sorry for yours as your house must be a filthy pit of hair and shit! Wink Grin
WaitrosePigeon · 22/07/2016 20:20

People take dogs on buses? I would never take my dog on the bus...

Seryph · 22/07/2016 20:20

Those who have DC who are deathly allergic to dogs, I take it if the DC was deathly allergic to peanuts you would expect them to be banned on all public transport?
No of course not.

Propertyquandry · 22/07/2016 20:21

Disclaimer: this is not the case with any of the dog owners I know. I just dislike that tongue. It's icky!

IHateDoors · 22/07/2016 20:21

Now you're talking! 😂

dizzyfucker · 22/07/2016 20:22

I think they should be in carriers or kept between the owners legs and out of people's way. I love dogs but public transport should be avoided where possible and when unavoidable, they need to be completely under control and on a very short lead.

PunkrockerGirl · 22/07/2016 20:23

I'm not frightened of dogs per se. What I'm frightened of is ending up in A&E again, unable to breathe. After begging the twat dog's owner to please get their precious mutt away from me.
I wish dog owners would perhaps bear this in mind before assuming that we're all being hysterical by not wanting your dog's to slobber all over us.
I was fine, treated quickly with steroids and antihistamines and came home the same day. A child with asthma may not be so lucky.

IHateDoors · 22/07/2016 20:23

Sorry waitrose but I can't drive and so I use buses and trains with my 40kg dog. It's OK though, I mostly never lick people.

IHateDoors · 22/07/2016 20:23

Oops, HE mostly never lick people, not me. That'd be terribly unsanitary.

StarryIllusion · 22/07/2016 20:24

If you had seriously asked me to move into a seat where my dog would have to be in the aisle and causing an obstruction or wait for another bus because your child might grab and pull her, I'd have told you to fuck off. Especially since there is no chance of my dog biting a child, I've never met one so tolerant. Imo if it's your child causing the problem, you move. Or just turn the buggy round so thechild is facing the other way. Problem solved. I've never met anyone with the brass neck to ask someone else to move because their child might misbehave. Only on mn! Hmm

ChardonnayKnickertonSmythe · 22/07/2016 20:24

Jumping up as greeting is different though. It's the dogs home and it's a welcome ritual.
I always hold them back, and they settle.

On a bus or just walking past, they aren't interested. They go, they sniff, they go to people who call them and that's that. I've had to rescue them from unwanted human attention quite a few times.

Propertyquandry · 22/07/2016 20:25

Does it help reignite if I say I drive a shiny expensive 4x4 partly because I know that in a collision, they're likely to come off worse than me. That and it's difficult to find anything else big enough for 3 big lads, a fat Buddha toddler daughter and all their paraphernalia. Plus the occasional husband.

Propertyquandry · 22/07/2016 20:26

Time for supper I think!

IHateDoors · 22/07/2016 20:28

I must be honest, I've been getting buses and trains with my dog for 3 plus years now (longer than that but previous dog was tiny and sat on my knee) and have had to ask people to leave him alone lots of times. I've never put him near a baby/small kid/vulnerable person and been asked to move.

IHateDoors · 22/07/2016 20:30

Oh Property you are clearly posh because you said supper not tea. We can no longer be friends as I'm very rough and say breakfast, dinner and tea AND my house is is a pit of hair and shit 😂

Enjoy your supper (tea!)

planeymcplaneface · 22/07/2016 20:30

vittoriosa it was raining here earlier in the week and there was no chance i was walking the 2miles to town in the torrential rain with a buggy and my dog so too too right im going to take the bus