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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:
2nds · 22/07/2016 22:21

www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/towies-bobby-norris-breaks-down-8471993

Dog laws need changed.

Choceeclair123 · 22/07/2016 22:26

I love animals but wouldn't want a dog I didn't know so close to my toddler. I don't want to be licked by a dog either unless you're happy for me to start licking you!!

WannaBe · 22/07/2016 22:28

Pushchairs shouldn't be on buses unless they can be folded. Hth.

PunkrockerGirl · 22/07/2016 22:29

Ellie I really was hospitalized from an allergic reaction to being licked by a dog. It was actually very frightening, not being able to breathe and being blue-lighted to hospital and rushed into resus.
But I guess that makes me one of "those strange folk on mumsnet"Grin

planeymcplaneface · 22/07/2016 22:29

Ddog was attacked by a golden retriever not long after i got him from dogs trust. He was on his lead, this dog wasnt although it was with its owner. It went for the back of ddogs neck. Ive never been so scared before it was terrifiying the dog just sprung on him. I got hurt getting it away. The owner got a mouthful after saying hes normally so well behaved! Yes so well behaved he could of seriously injured my dog Angry ive had ddog 4yrs now and a good 2.5 of them were spent helping him be okay with dogs again and now he can be around golden retrievers and not cause a problem he just walks past them. However if in open space he goes on his lead as i dont want to chance it

planeymcplaneface · 22/07/2016 22:31

wannabe my best friend has a double buggy with a 1yr old and a 3mth old theres no way she could fold her buggy down. Similarly i wouldnt fold mine down unless i really had to

YeOldMa · 22/07/2016 22:35

I would happily take my dog on a bus, they are usually charged for so I feel he has a right to be there. However, I would not let him wander or lick people but I would expect a mother to stop a child from grabbing handfuls of him even though he probably wouldn't bat an eyelid. It's a two way street. I'll make him respect your space, you respect his.

HarryElephante · 22/07/2016 22:36

Wyldfire, children generally don't have the potential to attack and kill people.

planeymcplaneface · 22/07/2016 22:39

yeoldma my gran used to.pay a childs fare for her dog on the bus but ive never had to pay when i take mine on

Original poster
FireLamp · 22/07/2016 22:46

Here's a suggestion, teach your children not to grab.
Lots of you saying the dog should be under control, but the child should also be under control

DS is only 10months, too young to be taught not to grab. Babies reaching out to touch things are not 'out of control' or 'misbehaving'. If a child is already restrained in a buggy or pram, the child is 'under control', it's not as though they are approaching the dog.

OP posts:
Schwabischeweihnachtskanne · 22/07/2016 22:47

Wannabe that's just your personal opinion, therefore you are not being helpful even if you hope to be. Whether an unfolded pram should be on a bus depends on the bus type, the bays, who else is on it etc. On a bus with separate wheel chair and pram bays and enough space you are clearly just wrong.

Airandmungbeans · 22/07/2016 22:48

I'm a dog lover, I'd happily have one if DH would let me, but he's more of a cat person. Both my Ds's however are, thanks to the aggressive, barky dog next door, absolutely terrified of them. They are only 2 and 4 and have seen next doors dog attack several other dogs in the road and he regularly stands on his hind legs barking and growling at us over the back fence, so much so that they are frightened of going in our garden. A dog that close to them on the bus would scare the life out of them. Dog owners should be sympathetic to the fact that some children are frightened of dogs and I'm sure most reasonable people wouldn't mind moving them away. Even if they weren't scared I wouldn't be thrilled about a dog being that close, you can never predict a toddler's behaviour, or a dog's.

Ellieboolou27 · 22/07/2016 22:51

punk oh yes I'd certainly put you in the strange folk category, but no fear as I'm probably there too Wink

SoftBlocks · 22/07/2016 22:52

YANBU. Why should you have to worry about the dog? And why should anyone have to put up with a stinking, germ-laden, potentially vicious animal licking them? It is the dog owners' responsibility to keep their dogs under control and out of people's personal space.

PurpleTango · 22/07/2016 22:56

Yes, I was worried he'd grab it's fur or ears. Even the gentlest dog might react badly to that, especially on a crowded bus on a hot day.

Urmmm....Maybe you should try to control your kid??

SoupDragon · 22/07/2016 23:01

DS is only 10months, too young to be taught not to grab.

Maybe watch him and stop him?

FairyDogMother11 · 22/07/2016 23:07

My dog licks my partners leg when he gets out of the shower. Apart from that he doesn't lick. Grin

In any case, I don't think dogs should be banned from public transport. Owners need to be responsible for their dogs. I always keep my dog very close to me unless no one is around, but even then he's always on a lead. I've never taken him on public transport, but I would be considerate of others if I did. It's really just a case of common sense from all parties.

honkinghaddock · 22/07/2016 23:08

I've spent 8 years trying to stop my son grabbing things. Still does it.

Wintersummerwintersummer · 22/07/2016 23:11

I'm pretty shocked at some of the comments on here. OP is entirely reasonable to be protecting her child. People of whatever age clearly have far more right to be on the bus than an animal!! Dog owners can be awful for assuming that everyone else likes their dog, or any dog per se. I don't hate dogs but I certainly don't choose to be near them and hate it when owners tell me they're OK- that's for me to determine. As for ankle licking, I'd be revolted.

hazeimcgee · 22/07/2016 23:12

wannabe how do you propose people take their kids places?? Even if i could drive i can't afford a car. I travel around three boroughs for hospital visits. I physically cannot manage a disabled child and collapsing a pushchair that contains his equiptment. I can't afford a taxi. What exactly are my options??

ChristinaParsons · 22/07/2016 23:14

The dog paid to be on the bus the toddler did not

ApostrophesMatter · 22/07/2016 23:16

That has to win the prize for the most ridiculous post on a thread with many ridiculous posts

TheDuchyOfGrandFenwick · 22/07/2016 23:22

I think dogs should have to wear a muzzle in public places. I like dogs, have grown up with them but you can never trust them 100% not to suddenly turn.

WaitrosePigeon · 22/07/2016 23:25

Thank fully you are not in charge then duchy Grin

WaitrosePigeon · 22/07/2016 23:26

All dogs wear a muzzle in public places, that really did make me chuckle Grin