To want to report MIL's dog to the council?

[SharkBrilliant]

For some reason, MIL's dog hates DH, always has. It's a mongrel rescue and took an instant dislike to him... possibly DH reminds him of an abusive former owner or something??

When we go round to see MIL the dog is shut away in the back garden, however, last year on one of our visits, the dog shot into the front room and bit DH on the leg. It wasn't a terrible bite, but it broke the flesh and bled. His family laughed it off and said along the lines of "It's so funny, MrShark is the only person that he's like that with!" (turns out the dog had bitten him before!!). Personally I thought it was a ridiculously blasé attitude to a dog bite, especially as this dog is around children on a regular basis.

Today, DH came home with another bite from this dog. He pops round MIL's after work at the same time 2-3 times per week, and the dog happened to be being walked off lead when he got out of the car. It ran over to him and bit him again. Altogether I think it's about 5 or 6 times that this dog has bitten him now.

I am furious about this. MIL knows that the dog bites but walks it off lead because "DH is the only one it does it to". How do they know that it isn't going to take a disliking to a child and bite it on the face?? AIBU unreasonable to be so annoyed about this? Honestly, I feel like reporting it as a dangerous dog to the Council, but I know that will cause all sorts of problems; at the same time, how many times should DH be bitten before something is done? (and how bad will I feel if it mauls a child and I said/did nothing?)

DH is understandably upset about it too but doesn't want to cause a big problem over it. AIBU? With all of these dog attacks that you hear of, surely no-one should be walking a dog that bites off lead?

Have a word with your MIL and tell her she either muzzles it and has it on a lead or you will report her.
My MIL would giggle if I told her this, like a small child who has been caught out, and just like a the narcissist she is spoilt child would just ignore me. I would get no back up from OH, FIL or BILs as they have been conditioned to let her behave exactly how she likes.
I don't envy you OP, there will be no good out come whatever you do or don't do. So my only suggestion is to do a lot of soul searching and try and find a place you can cope with. So for me I have to accept FIL (degenerative condition) is not my responsibility he is MIL's responsibility, she cannot just ignore him because the gc are visiting. I am responsible for my two young DC and no more. That is my peace, that's how I sleep at night.

People allowing dogs off the lead at all in public places makes me very angry, never mind when they can't control them.

DD2 has an irrational absolute terror of dogs, so even the friendliest of dogs, untethered, coming up to her is a big ordeal. She can just about cope if they are on the lead, and generally when the owner sees she is scared they pull the dog away.

Therefore it's not fair for her not to be able to walk down the street without being scared out of her wits because someone thinks they know their dog and it doesn't need a lead.

I have the same phobia Roast and it is horrible. Also just because an owner knows their dog I don't. Trying to work on it but as a result don't go to the park or the beach and it is hard.