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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

Keep Your Mutt On A Frigging Lead

209 replies

Psolomon · 06/05/2017 23:04

Out running canalside this morning and an unleashed dog came bounding up, tongue lolling maniacally, and jumped up at me, frenziedly snuffling at my sweaty snatch whilst I frantically tried to side-step its mangy mass. I thundered at its owner: 'Get this thing off me!' and hurled a couple of panicky expletives (I'm not a lover of dogs and to have one jump up whilst running was scary).

AIBU to think far too many dog owners think the world ought to love their mutt? Surely a dog should be controlled on a canal towpath? Grr.

OP posts:
Fruitcocktail6 · 07/05/2017 01:40

I think you are a bit pathetic, in fact I think people who are scared of dogs are utterly pathetic, they have just has much a right to be out and about as you

optionalrationale · 07/05/2017 01:49

A farmer does not need to wait and see if an off lead and out of control dog is being friendly or going to attack his/her livestock before using lethal force against the dog if he/she deems it necessary. I have checked the law, if you are worried that an off lead and out of control dog may be about to endanger you, a child in your care etc, you have every right to defend yourself against the animal.

It is not my job to interpret your dog's body language or intentions. If it invades my space, makes unwanted contact, makes me feel that it may bite or attack, be aware that I will take all steps necessary to defend myself.

It is your responsibility to have your dog under control in public.

mikesh909 · 07/05/2017 02:04

they have just has much a right to be out and about as you

I'm afraid that is where you are wrong.

mikesh909 · 07/05/2017 02:05

thank you for sharing your profound opinion about people who are scared of dogs though.

MrsSummerisle · 07/05/2017 02:08

Could someone please clarify the law for me? If a human being comes up to me and starts touching me, or jumping on me, or licking me, or biting me without my consent, then that's a criminal assault, right? Why on earth should it be different if it's the owner's dog doing it instead of the owner?

optionalrationale · 07/05/2017 02:13

You are allowed to take whatever action you deem necessary to protect yourself. If that makes dog owners clutch their pearls in horror - control your dog.

BoysofMelody · 07/05/2017 02:27

My pet hate is dogs on those extendable leads on cycle paths. Dog sees something interesting on the grass verge on the opposite side of the cycle path and darts across to investigate, dopey dog owner stands there oblivious to the fact they've created an instant trip wire at wheel height, leaving me no choice but to slam on the brakes and hope for the best. At least if the dogs are loose you can alter course and avoid them.

mikesh909 · 07/05/2017 02:34

"Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 (section 3)

It is a criminal offence (for the owner and/or the person in charge of the dog) to allow a dog to be ‘dangerously out of control’. A ‘dangerously out of control’ dog can be defined as a dog that has injured someone or a dog that a person has grounds for reasonable apprehension that it may do so. Something as simple as your dog chasing, barking at or jumping up at a person or child could lead to a complaint, so ensure that your dog is under control at all times.

If your dog injures a person, it may be seized by the police and your penalty may include a prison sentence and/or a ban on keeping dogs. There is also an automatic presumption that your dog will be destroyed (unless you can persuade the court that it is not a danger to the public, in which case it may be subject to a control order). You may also have to pay a fine, compensation and costs."

Source: www.thekennelclub.org.uk/media/8277/law.pdf , emphasis mine.

See also: www.gov.uk/control-dog-public/overview

Ankleswingers · 07/05/2017 02:46

YANBU at all.

As for dogs "just being friendly" - my DH was badly bit and injured by one of those off the lead as a child.

Owner said, whilst aggressive dog randomly approached my DH , "oh he's just being friendly ".

Husband had to have surgery as his arm was severed.

Keep your dogs on leads people.

straighttalker · 07/05/2017 03:45

FFS. Again. I just love these threads and the dog-hating hysteria they stir up.

  • No, dogs should not approach strangers with abandon. This is a sign of a bad owner, and a failure of training.
  • No, all dogs do not have to be on leads on public places, just the ones with no recall.
  • Violence toward an animal that is not actually being aggressive, but just annoying, is never warranted. And actually quite dangerous, as I would happily physically injure anyone who tried to hurt my unaggressive dog, and take the consequences. (Luckily, this is unlikely, she is stand-offish with strangers and gives all other people a wide berth on off-lead walks).

So I'm pretty sure I wouldn't like the OP. On the basis of this thread, she is incredibly irritating and at times reading her responses, I fondly imagined the dog pushing at her snatch just that little bit harder and her landing in the canal. But she is undeniably right - she should not have to put up with dogs running up to her on a run - and I also think it is important that dog walkers in her area should protect themselves from being assaulted by her vagina in retribution for their dog's crimes.

On a similar note, I should not have to put up with rabid cyclists whizzing down the canal towpath with no regard for either my or my dogs safety but there you go.

Original poster
Psolomon · 07/05/2017 06:41

Anon, you have called me an 'arsey', 'uptight' 'prick' simply for taking umbrage when a dog jumps up at me whilst out running. I'll spell this out for you:

I am more important than your dog (if you don't believe me, let's go to the Philippines together - you, me & your hound - and well see which one of us the locals eat.

My fear is more valid than your mutt's 'friendliness'.

If you cannot put the needs of your fellow human beings above that of your non-human friend then it is you who is the prick, no?

HTH

OP posts:
Original poster
Psolomon · 07/05/2017 06:48

Straighttalker, say what?? You fondly imagine my vagina being mutilated by your dog and my drowning? Are you Bret Easton Ellis?

OP posts:
KERALA1 · 07/05/2017 07:02

Can I add "he never does that" to "just being friendly? Walk recently huge dog ran up to me paws on my shoulders mud all over coat owner right there. Am afraid my response to the "he never does that" was "he just did"!

Honeybee79 · 07/05/2017 07:19

I was out running in a park last week and got chased by a small, snappy, v barky dog. It was horrible. The owner was at first nowhere to be seen, then appeared and kept calling the dog to no avail.

I know nothing about dogs. No idea whether it was best to stop and talk to it or keep going. In the end it gave up and found someone else to chase. A fucking menace.

SaltySeaBird · 07/05/2017 07:22

Despite growing up with them I hate dogs.

I've been attacked while out running several times now. Some are 'friendly' jumper uppers putting muddy claws all over me. A couple have been less friendly and snapped. I've had blood drawn and the owner has brushed it off as he is just excited or even worse ignored it. I reported the last one to the police but they couldn't do anything. My 3 yo was also knocked off her feet by a bounding dog leaping up to snatch food off her and is now terrified. And then there is steaming dog shit everywhere.

I'd like to see CCTV and if owners are found or caught not picking up their dogs shit then the dog is removed from their care and PTS. It's disgusting and antisocial and they shouldn't be allowed to have a dog.

I'd also like it if people with dogs in busy public spaces not on a lead were fined.

MyKingdomForBrie · 07/05/2017 07:22

I understand Psolonom to in fact be the possessor of a penis, not a vagina.

You're not more important than a dog to its owner, so it's all relative! You will of course say that it's not relative, you are fundamentally more important because of your 'status' as a human being. As I'm sure you're aware that's an opinion, rather than a fact. An opinion that society is constructed around yes, but an opinion none the less.

As it happens I'm very careful with my dog's behaviour on a walk as I think it's very important she doesn't infringe on the personal space of any other person or dog, and have trained her accordingly. Anyone letting an untrained dog off lead in public areas is highly unreasonable.

sparkleandsunshine · 07/05/2017 07:34

Went for a walk yesterday and watched a woman with a dog cross the road, she was crossing to where another woman was walking a much larger dog, and said as she approached, "my little lady wants a chat". The woman she was approaching said very loudly "please don't, my dog isn't good with other dogs"
But the woman crossing shouted back "it's ok, everyone loves my dog"!!!!
I literally had my mouth hanging open! The lady whose dog wasn't friendly with other dogs kept walking and her dog started barking at the other dog before they even got close. She then deliberately crossed the road to stay away from the pursuing woman, who then passed us saying "my girl just wanted to be friends, but they didn't want to know!"
I didn't have the words! I just looked at her like she was a fruitcake and kept going. Do not understand people who can't appreciate that their pet is THEIR PET, we don't all have to love and meet them! I love dogs! But some dog owners are the pitts x

Ifailed · 07/05/2017 07:34

Violence toward an animal that is not actually being aggressive, but just annoying, is never warranted
Having been on the receiving end of unwanted attention from running, barking, jumping dogs, how am I supposed to know the difference? If a stranger ran towards me shouting, and then started grabbing at me with their hands I would assume they were being aggressive.

Honeybee79 · 07/05/2017 07:35

Dogs do not have the same "rights" to be out and about as humans.

They don't have equal status at law fgs.

The onus is on the dog owner to control their dog.

It is not "pathetic" to be afraid of dogs. In some circumstances, it's entirely sensible.

Shockers · 07/05/2017 07:43

@FreddieFlowerdew.

Perhaps the OP could go running in the countryside to calm herself down...

Oh.

Hassled · 07/05/2017 07:53

"Are you Brett Easton Ellis" has really made me laugh.

I think there are three types of people:

  1. People who don't like dogs - they are unpredictable, unknown, a bit scary.
  2. People who do like dogs but have the empathy to understand that for some they are unpredictable and a bit scary.
  3. People who love dogs so much they cannot comprehend why or how anyone else might not feel the same way.
And as long as that's the case, there will always be off-lead dogs knocking over toddlers and stealing chicken legs and molesting joggers. But at least you can write a good Country song about it and it keeps the AIBU board in business.
BubbleBed · 07/05/2017 08:57

I have kicked a dog whilst out running. It had no owner, tried to bite my ankles, tripped me over and kept trying to snap at me. I shouted (Sunday morning in residential street) and no one came nor took ownership of it. So I kicked it away so I could restand and get away from it. I was protecting myself, in the same way as if that had been a person attacking me.

The one the other day jumped at me three times. I had stopped running by the second, so as to not annoy it, but it kept barking and jumping. If the owner hadn't made it over to me to grab it after the third, it would have been kicked as well. I have no idea whether it is barking in my face or trying to bite me, it was a big dog, and jumping up on my legs bloody hurt. I shouldn't have to suffer pain and fear at an uncontrolled dog, and should be allowed to protect myself. I won't use my hands round a snapping dog, so I would kick.

I don't like dogs. But I always thank those that recall them etc as I run past. Always. They are well trained, and that's appreciated. But if your dog jumps at a stranger repetitively, ignoring your calls, it should not be off a lead on a public walkway.

everybodysang · 07/05/2017 09:04

This thread almost had the potential to be a good, old-fashioned funny MN thread, what with references to country music, Bret Easton Ellis, amusingly written OP and replies. If I ignore the utterly obtuse and thick dog lovers and concentrate on the ones who get it and are able to form a sentence I could be back in the old days when it was all fields round here...

dribbles off, staring into the middle distance

GiGiraffe · 07/05/2017 09:11

YANBU!! I run with my dog on a lead and the number of people I want to taser for having no control over their dogs is unbelievable.

It winds my dog up and I swear they try to trip me up on purpose. It is pure selfishness and when people laugh and say "oh he just wants to play" or "she's really friendly" I tell them (through heaving gasps, as not a natural runner) my dog just wants to take the head off their dogs, he's not playing and that's why he is under control on a lead FFS!!!

Arghhhhhh gives me the raaaaaaage

ipswichwitch · 07/05/2017 09:31

DS1 is terrified of dogs, has been since he was sent flying by a very bouncy Labrador when he was a toddler.

He is making slow progress with this (mostly with our friends old and rather sedate dog), but it's been a long journey for him and he is only 5. It boils my piss however, when crap owners let their dog sprint towards him, slobbering and jumping up at him, and they can see he's terrified (sometimes hysterical) and just pathetically witter about how friendly their dog is. Tell that to my son who is usually clinging on to my head, and sobbing his heart out.

Letting your mutt bounce all over him is not going to magically cure his phobia, and has the effect of pushing any progress right back again. You may know your dog is friendly, but I don't, and neither does my son.