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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think the majority of dog owners where I live are inconsiderate and arrogant.

215 replies

AngryRunner · 21/05/2017 15:08

I am a runner, I have run the marathon and compete regularly in half marathons, 10k's etc.

I like to run in my local park and i normally run about 5 times a week. I do go at speed faster than most joggers.

However I am constantly harassed by dogs. I tell owners to put it on a lead when there dog is clearly chasing me, jumping up on me. I was bitten by a dog as a child so I don't like them and I am very scared of big dogs.

The reaction I get when I say put it on a lead please is met with total anger/ rudeness from owners. Yesterday I was running and a very large almost wolf like dog was off its lead and started running towards me. I normally stop but it was barking and I just sprinted away it began to chase me for around 200 meters before eventually being distracted by a smaller dog. I was crying and visible shaking when I confronted the owner who was 100meters behind. She said the usual oh he's lovely oh he won't hurt you bullshit dog owners spout. I asked for her name and details as I said I'm reporting her to the police. I felt threatened by the dog and that is all that is needed for her to break the law. The police are investigating.

The week before a dog jumped up at me and I feel to floor from behind. Again the same thing from the owner.

I pay my council tax to use the parks but no longer feel like I can use them because dog owners take dogs off leads. Please it is so inconsiderate. I live in an urban area so road running is horrible with the fumes. Aibu to be fed up of dogs being described as lovely in response to scaring an i being unreasonable to think dog owners should no I have no idea about the character of their dog. Am I being unreasonable to be fed up of being blamed for tempting the dog for keeping fit and doing something I love.

And for the record I know there are good owners but majourity as a runner I've encountered aren't!

OP posts:
Madbengalmum · 21/05/2017 15:12

I own a dog and feel the same way about dogs off lead. I cannot count the amount of out of control dogs we have running up to us and upsetting my dog, who is very large but nervous due to being bitten by an off lead out of control labrador. I would love a law to be bought out that people had to have their dogs on leads in public places, it would be so much better for all.

Original poster
AngryRunner · 21/05/2017 15:18

It should be law.

OP posts:
KindleBueno · 21/05/2017 15:24

YANBU. People who don't train their dogs properly infuriate me. They give us all a bad name. My Cocker is 14 months and hates runners so he chases and barks at them. So he doesn't get off the lead at the minute. We feed him treats and give him lots if praise when he sees a runner so he can build a positive association with them. He'll eventually get off the lead when he is guaranteed to ignore them.

daisychain01 · 21/05/2017 15:30

Good luck with this thread, if you enjoy a good shoe-ing that is.

I am a runner / cyclist and yes I've had issues with dogs getting in.my way, barking etc etc but it doesn't stop me enjoying my sport.

Starting a thread to be purposefully aggressive and generalise is goady imo.

Kimonolady · 21/05/2017 15:36

I think it's a mix of YABU and YANBU.
You say you pay your council taxes so you can use the parks - but so do dog owners. You both have exactly as much right as each other to be there. If they can control their dog, it's not a problem.
The example of the dog jumping up at you sounds horrible, and YANBU there.
But the other one - the dog just ran towards you for a bit, then stopped and ran off elsewhere? Nothing actually happened. I think your reaction there and calling the police was unnecessary.
I don't want to piss you off, but do you think maybe you could tackle your fear of dogs? I say this as someone who was v v scared of dogs myself for a long time!! Just because they're al over the place, and as a runner, you'll probably see them a lot. You can't escape the problem of the dog, but maybe you can change your approach/feelings?

chitofftheshovel · 21/05/2017 15:36

Yabu. Some dog owners are entitled bastards who think their dogs "right" to be off lead trumps all other users of open space. You are not tempting the dog by running. By law (I think, and hope) owners need to have 100% control of their dog.

Can you wear some kind of visible camera? Or carry a water spray. Or, just cos I'm a bitch so shall suggest this, exit the park with dog following and cross a busy road...

la20017 · 21/05/2017 15:44

Agree with you. I have a very friendly, jumpy 9 month old cocker spaniel, who if he is off lead and sees another dog or person will run over and say hello. So I always pop him back on the lead when someone comes. Today I got told off by an older man because we had put him on the lead as we were near a race track where horses train. Told me that the dog should be allowed to run free! Annoying as I had already had a conversation with him a few weeks ago, so he knows my dog's recall is not great. wasmonly trying to do the right thing!

la20017 · 21/05/2017 15:45

*Was only!!!

Bobobobobob · 21/05/2017 15:46

Kimolady I believe she said the dog barked and chased her for 200 m after it ran towards her. Very scary for anyone on my opinion.

Original poster
AngryRunner · 21/05/2017 15:52

Starting a thread to be purposefully aggressive and generalise is goady imo

Like the dogs who keep chasing/nearly attacking me.

And no the second situation was more scary as the dog was chasing me barking.

OP posts:
ALittleBiPolarSunshine · 21/05/2017 15:53

YABU, there are obviously going to be dogs in parks, you know that before you try and take over them with your running. You need to tackle your fear of dogs. Calling the police was way over the top - they have actual problems to sort out.

WhatToDoAboutThis2017 · 21/05/2017 15:53

YANBU. And it's not just where you live, OP, it's the majority of dog owners everywhere.

MrsTerryPratchett · 21/05/2017 15:53

I'd love a few dogs to run with me but they all ignore me when I'm running. Sad

I'm in a different country and there are a mixture of on an doff leash areas which suits everyone. Our local beach, for example, is no dogs from May-September, off leash the rest of the time. Local running track area, off leash for part, on leash for most. It works well. Maybe talk to your council.

Original poster
AngryRunner · 21/05/2017 15:54

You say you pay your council taxes so you can use the parks - but so do dog owners. You both have exactly as much right as each other to be there

Exactly acceapt I'm not taking away anyone else's right to use the park.

OP posts:
chitofftheshovel · 21/05/2017 15:54

Sorry, just actually read my previous post, yabu was meant to say yanbu. As was probably obvious from the rest of my post, I hope.

NowtAbout · 21/05/2017 15:54

I also find runners is really annoying, as they always scare the shit out of me, So would quite like running in public spaces banned too.

ALittleBiPolarSunshine · 21/05/2017 15:56

Nowtabout, me too. They're always a bit smug too.

MacarenaFerreiro · 21/05/2017 15:57

Yes I am with you. We don't have a dog but are planning on getting a puppy over the summer. If we are allowing the dog off the lead it won't be in a suburban public park with kids/runners, it will be in a country park or open fields without any people or other animals around.

Yes dog owners are entitled to be in a park but if they have out of control dogs and think it's OK to let them jump up on others or chase runners then they MUST keep their pets on their leads.

Original poster
AngryRunner · 21/05/2017 15:59

I also find runners is really annoying, as they always scare the shit out of me, So would quite like running in public spaces banned too.

Fair enough at least I don't demand interact with you/chase you/bite/jump on you. Oh and a fellow human being!

OP posts:
allegretto · 21/05/2017 16:00

Unfortunately there are always people who think rules don't apply to them.

drinkingtea · 21/05/2017 16:01

Kim of course it's scary to be chased over a distance by any animal you don't know, which can move fast and has sharp teeth and in this case was large enough to do real harm. Runners are frequently bitten by off lead dogs so the fear is not illogical or all in her head either.

DS1's school did a workshop on how to behave around unknown dogs, which was brilliant and I think all primary schools should do.

It certainly should be illegal to have an out of control dog off lead chasing people! Dogs with impeccable recall are different but are also the minority.

Whatever the law it is unfortunately unlikely to be enforced until after the dog has injured someone. Taking photos might be an idea but owners of dogs like that are likely to be defensive or aggressive so you might make things worse for yourself unfortunately.

ALittleBiPolarSunshine · 21/05/2017 16:02

Being Human doesn't make you special. I'd rather spend time with my dog than any human.

Original poster
AngryRunner · 21/05/2017 16:03

Oh yh exactly some owners are scarier than the dogs.

OP posts:
OopsDearyMe · 21/05/2017 16:04

You are as bad as those you criticise.
Dog owners have as much right as you.
If you know the park is usually a popular dog walking spot and you go there anyway even with a fear of dogs and especially with the attitude that dog owners talking 'bullshit' then you are setting yourself up!

I had an encounter with an entitled runner like you. Whilst walking my dog a year or more ago. In a park known to be a spot all local dog walkers use. You can run anywhere. However there are few places dogs can run off the lead. And actually most dogs may jump if they are still being trained. But its not an attack.

Original poster
AngryRunner · 21/05/2017 16:04

Being Human doesn't make you special. I'd rather spend time with my dog than any human.

I think your find it does legally and most people outside your warped world would agree a human is more important than a dog.

OP posts:
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