Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Dog snatched babies sandwich

342 replies

IsithormonesoramIamadcow · 02/04/2017 20:40

AIBU to think that it's not unreasonable to ask someone to put their dog on a lead....

When it's just come over to a family sitting on a bench having a picnic and chomped the sandwich out of a 17month olds hand - the whole of DS arm was inside the dogs mouth although the dog didn't actually 'bite' him.

I jumped up, shouted at the dog and asked the owner to put him on a lead. Explained he had just taken my DS hand as well as the sandwich. Dog owner paid no attention until DH lost his shit and threatened to deal with the dog himself... by which time our lovely relaxing afternoon had evaporated. Am I supposed to just be glad that DS still has all his fingers?

I am fed up with people saying their badly behaved off lead dogs are 'really friendly'. How am I supposed to know which ones are and which ones aren't.

OP posts:
wheresthel1ght · 03/04/2017 19:50

watery there really is no need for the venomous comments.

kids who are not taught to leave dogs alone unless they have checked with the owners are jst as dangerous as dogs that are not trained

OfaFrenchmind2 · 03/04/2017 20:04

Kali i agree that children should be made aware that unknown dogs are not to be petted, but they are vastly more important than dogs and they should have far more freedom than dogs. Moreover, have you ever heard of the story the dog that was disfigured by a toddler's bite? Me neither.

pennypickle · 03/04/2017 20:31

The dog spat out a peanut butter sandwich?? Confused Are you sure about that OP?

MsAdorabelleDearheartVonLipwig · 03/04/2017 20:53

Um, I wasn't. Confused

Aside from that, when people trot out all the old stereotypes about dogs on these threads I always want to mention police dogs, sniffer dogs, bomb detection dogs, guide dogs, hearing dogs, Pat dogs, cancer sniffer dogs, diabetes sniffer dogs, therapy dogs, poacher tracking dogs, sheep dogs and gun dogs. Just to even things up a bit.

tabulahrasa · 03/04/2017 21:04

"muzzles would stop this behaviour that se dofgs owners find amusing"

No, no they wouldn't... a muzzle just stops teeth hitting if a dog tries to bite.

They don't stop running about, jumping up, going to the toilet...or in fact stealing sandwiches, or st the very least trying to.

ChardonnayKnickertonSmythe · 03/04/2017 21:12

This is bonkers.

There is sewage, plastic rubbish, all sort of chemicals polluting the sea and plenty of humans who piss and shit there, but posters are worried because once they saw a dog do a poo by the sea?

Almost as good as the dog spitting out a peanut butter sandwich.

SmilingButClueless · 03/04/2017 21:26

I've noticed an increase over the last few years in people who just seem to have no control over their dogs.

It's perfectly possible to train a dog not to steal food although if a toddler throws food on the floor it's fair game, and if your dog isn't reliable then keep it on a lead.

I was not particularly happy to be jumped on by three large Labradors at our local park a few months back. I like dogs, know how to read them and knew that they weren't aggressive. I still wasn't impressed that I had muddy paw prints on my work clothes so had to go home and change. Dog owner just told me they were being friendly...

Not sure whether there's a correlation with the people who let their children run riot.

SomethingBorrowed · 03/04/2017 21:28

I will ask again as curiously no dog owner is answering: what am I supposed to do if a dog approaches me / my DC / our food ? - except hitting obviously

BertrandRussell · 03/04/2017 21:33

Something- if it was my dog and you thought your child was in danger, then you have my full permission to do anything you thought you needed to to protect your child.

If she was trying to steal your food, then shout, squirt water, push off with your boot.......

BertrandRussell · 03/04/2017 21:35

"kids who are not taught to leave dogs alone unless they have checked with the owners are jst as dangerous as dogs that are not trained"

Really? How many dogs have been killed by babies or toddlers?

Blackfellpony · 03/04/2017 21:35

brickinitIam I have a large and aggressive dog that can't be walked around dogs or people. I certainly didn't choose to have a dog this way but it's the way it's worked out. I've actually had him from a puppy but he was attacked and is terrified. I definitely didn't choose a dog like this as I wanted one.

I have nearly had him euthanised so many times but he is lovely at home and with people/dogs he knows so I stick with him as I only ever see his good side if that makes sense?
He isn't a danger to others as he is muzzled outside of the home and is not left around the children but he does ruin family outings and days out.

In response to the OP I would be fuming if a dog approached my baby or stole food. I think dogs should not be allowed to approach any strange dog or human without permission or being invited.
If your dog won't recall it shouldn't be off lead.

DixieNormas · 03/04/2017 21:39

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

optionalrationale · 03/04/2017 21:43

Intrigued by the dog owners saying "if you kicked my dog to protect your child, I would kick you".

Farmers are allowed to shoot a dog even if it is "worrying" their lifestock.
Legally, where would you stand if you used lethal force to protect a child from an out of control dog?

BertrandRussell · 03/04/2017 21:43

If you know that your dog might attack a child that approqch d it, then ththe dog should be muzzled. Yes, of course the child shouldn't approach. But children do things they shouldn't do. And something like 2000 children need hospital treatment after dog bites every year.

Scarlottie · 03/04/2017 21:43

YABU the wuffle was hungry.

wheresthel1ght · 03/04/2017 21:51

Bertrand it isn't about kids killing the animals it is about them provoking a response that is likely to end up with them being harmed that is dangerous.

I have 2 small dogs - one is a patterdale cross - they are both very cute but are also very nervy around people. The patterdale was badly abused as a younger dog which we only found out once we had her - the rescue had no info on her. She is fabulous with people she knows or with people who approach her in the right way - she cannot cope with anyone running up and trying to fuss her when she isn't prepared for it. She has never shown aggression but I wouldn't risk it. We have had numerous small kids come running up when she is on her lead and try and cuddle/fuss her. Those kids COULD have been badly hurt - her natural instinct would be to run the hell away but whilst on her lead she cannot run away and COULD attack to protect herself. In no way would that be her fault. It would however entirely be the fault of the idiot parents who did not treat their kids how to respect an animal they don't know.

optionalrationale · 03/04/2017 21:59

This thread is about an off lead and out of control dog attacking a child. I would intervene if I witnessed this. Not "lose my shit" but simply protect the child.

BertrandRussell · 03/04/2017 22:04

I am coming more and more to the conclusion that all dogs should be muzzled in public.

Original poster
IsithormonesoramIamadcow · 03/04/2017 22:08

Neither of my DCs are allowed to go up to strange dogs. Doesn't stop strange dogs coming up to them on a regular basis. I have even been told off by some of the dog walkers in the local park for holding my DCs hands when passing their dogs. Apparently I'll make my kids scared of dogs.

Not sure why so many people are complaining that it is the fault of the toddler.... when he was sitting down, closely supervised and minding his own business.

OP posts:
tabulahrasa · 03/04/2017 22:14

"I will ask again as curiously no dog owner is answering: what am I supposed to do if a dog approaches me / my DC / our food ? - except hitting obviously"

You can do whatever you need to to my dog as well, because you'd never be in that position with mine...and if you were it's my fault.

As general advice though...most dogs know sit, even when they know nothing else, they tend to know sit and that would give you some time.

"I am coming more and more to the conclusion that all dogs should be muzzled in public."

But it doesn't make any difference to most behaviours...

They could still be running about out of control and capable of hurting people as well, just not with their teeth.

optionalrationale · 03/04/2017 22:15

Its not the fault if your toddler at all, OP. A small minority of unreasonable dog owners are being ridiculous here. You / your DH should YouTube how to deal with an out of control dog attacking your child. There are some very effective and easy to learn techniques.

wheresthel1ght · 03/04/2017 22:16

isit - the owner was an idiot in your case, and ultimately it is never the fault of the child or the dog. it is always the fault of the adults in the equation - in your scenario it is entirely the fault of the dog owner.

Bertrand some adults should also be muzzled

DixieNormas · 03/04/2017 22:18

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

wheresthel1ght · 03/04/2017 22:28

"I will ask again as curiously no dog owner is answering: what am I supposed to do if a dog approaches me / my DC / our food ? - except hitting obviously"

Entirely depends on the situation and the behaviour of the animal. Key thing to remember though are never turn your back or run away and contrary to comments on this post do not attack it - kick punch etc as you will only provoke a more volatile response.

As a dog owner my key advice would be

  1. calmly but sternly say NO - do not shout, yell or panic
  2. calmly tell the dog to sit - as mentioned above, most dogs will know this command
  3. calmly and firmly tell the dog "away" - again most dogs will know this command

If the dog is showing aggression then put yourself between the dog and any children. slowly back away and try and put large obstacles between you and the dog. Stay calm and keep telling the dog NO and AWAY but calm and firm are the key

AwaywiththePixies27 · 03/04/2017 22:46

I'm always a bit Hmm at the but he/she's friendly so you should accept it kind of attitude.

If I let my Aspie DS bound up to you in a restaurant with a "sorry, he's just being friendly". Is that acceptable? To me they're both the same things. My son is friendly 90% of time time. (the 10% is for the absolute lack of filter he has). I'm sure your dog is friendly 90% of the time.

However neither situations are socially acceptable and I generally have only had owners offer profuse apologies when their dog has tried to jump up. I know they're only friendly. I'm still on my way to school and don't want to rock up looking like I'd just been rolling around in the hay.
The OPs family was eating. Dog owner was being U.