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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:
MiaowTheCat · 21/05/2017 16:04

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

LadyPW · 21/05/2017 16:05

Just a small point but if a dog is running after you (not necessarily chasing you, trying to hunt you down so it can eat you, but thinking it's a game or seeing you off because it thinks you're a threat to its owner) then don't run at speed away from the owner, run back towards them. Because most owners aren't going to be able to sprint after you fast enough to catch the dog! If you run back then they can.

LadyPW · 21/05/2017 16:07

And we have two park runs in my park each weekend (one each day) and some of the runners have zero manners. They'll knock you out of their way even though you have the same right to use the park as they do. Some are very polite, and I don't mind them, but the rude ones.... Oh and the male runners who decide to pee in the bushes - I really don't want to see you on a Sunday morning thanks.

Original poster
AngryRunner · 21/05/2017 16:07

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 live In a city there are no dog walking spots, just the local park for all to use. If the actions of owners are taking away my right to use the park than that is unequal. My right to run is more important as your dogs right to be off lead. Because I pay for the park and it's upkeep your dog doesn't!

OP posts:
silkpyjamasallday · 21/05/2017 16:09

I love dogs but I have to agree with the OP that so many people shouldn't have them as pets as they don't take responsibility for them. I stopped cycling in our local park because it became too hazardous as I would end up with a pack of dogs darting around my wheels, owners never try to call them back or apologise but if I didn't stop a dog could have been injured and then you know you will get an earful. I think there should be specified areas in all parks where they can be off lead but otherwise they should be leashed and walking with their owners so as to not have cyclists/runners/children having to deal with badly trained dogs. At the end of the day they are animals and people should get priority of park usage.

BiteyShark · 21/05/2017 16:10

My dog will run after joggers and cyclists. I stick to forests so non park areas but if I spot another person or dog I put him back on the lead and try and get him to stay as they pass. So no YANBU.

kali110 · 21/05/2017 16:10

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

Great another goady thread. It's not even been a month

kali110 · 21/05/2017 16:11

Reading your posts, think i'd rather spend time with the dog owners and dogs too Confused

Original poster
AngryRunner · 21/05/2017 16:12

But it isn't just about runners what if I was a walker or someone with a child. It doesn't matter we can all find faults in groups of people. That doesn't justify my experiences.

OP posts:
WhenSheWasBadSheWasHorrid · 21/05/2017 16:12

Or, just cos I'm a bitch so shall suggest this, exit the park with dog following and cross a busy road

Grin

Just a small point but if a dog is running after you (not necessarily chasing you, trying to hunt you down so it can eat you, but thinking it's a game or seeing you off because it thinks you're a threat to its owner) then don't run at speed away from the owner, run back towards them. Because most owners aren't going to be able to sprint after you fast enough to catch the dog! If you run back then they can

Op shouldn't have to do that though. She's out training.
I totally agree with you op. The vast majority of dogs off lead are very calm with excellent recall. There's always a few idiots though (owners).

I'm fed up of my small children being jumped up on. They know not to run but it's scary for them.

kali110 · 21/05/2017 16:13

Or, just cos I'm a bitch so shall suggest this, exit the park with dog following and cross a busy road
Hilarious

LadyPW · 21/05/2017 16:14

At the end of the day they are animals and people should get priority of park usage.
And the dog walkers aren't human?! Confused
Actually, technically speaking, animals would have been there before people so really the dogs should take precedent over the runners (who do more damage by churning up the grass into mud)

WhenSheWasBadSheWasHorrid · 21/05/2017 16:14

Great another goady thread. It's not even been a month

How is it goady to say a human is more important than a dog?

krakentoast · 21/05/2017 16:14

Keeping dogs on leads in all public places is unworkable. Most of the world is a public place, humans have always kept dogs, and it's not healthy for dogs to be on the lead all the time. They do need to run around occasionally.

People should control their dogs better though. Dog training classes should probably be compulsory for all dog owners, sort of like a driving licence before your dog is allowed off-lead in public. Dogs with poor recall can be real pests.

However, sorry, but you don't have any more right than anyone else who pays council tax to use the parks just because you're a runner Hmm. Don't see how your having run "the marathon" and your many 10ks and half marathons is at all relevant to this (what do you expect us to say? "How terrible, Fido, don't chase THAT person! They run Marathons!"). Interesting that you think dog owners are the arrogant ones...

And it sounds like that particular dog didn't actually touch you or hurt you so reporting it was a waste of police time... I've been chased by dogs before so I understand it's scary but it happens sometimes - that's life, mate.

LadyPW · 21/05/2017 16:16

Yes but When if she wants the owner to get the dog back then putting more distance between dog & owner isn't helping is it?

SantasLittleMonkeyButler · 21/05/2017 16:17

YANBU - although I wouldn't say it's most around here.

I was bitten on the ankle last summer by a "loose" dog whilst out running. He was a huge, friendly looking, polar bear type dog (no idea on breeds!) and all his owner (when he eventually caught up) could say was "he's only playing, he's really friendly." Yeah, thanks for that Hmm.

We also have nowhere to run where you are less likely to encounter dog walkers, so it really is impossible to go somewhere else to avoid them Confused.

I've no problem with dogs running over to say hello/sniff my legs etc., it's just the ones that actually chase me and/or want to bite me. One woman did tell me that her dog "hates runners". In that case, couldn't you just hold on to him for a minute when you see me approaching? Hmm I don't run fast - there would be plenty of time to grab hold of him.

kali110 · 21/05/2017 16:18

WhenSheWasBadSheWasHorrid
This same thread is up nearly every single month.
Same details.
Runner gets annoyed about a dog, op then insulted all dog owners, then when dog owners get annoyed about being labelled and say so, the op then says futher insults.
Same pattern.

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

However, sorry, but you don't have any more right than anyone else who pays council tax to use the parks just because you're a runner hmm. Don't see how your having run "the marathon" and your many 10ks and half marathons is at all relevant to this (what do you expect us to say? "How terrible, Fido, don't chase THAT person! They run Marathons!"). Interesting that you think dog owners are the arrogant ones...

Well I say I pay council tax so have same right to use park as the dog owners who are terrorising me away from it.

I put that I've run the marathon to emphasise that I am committed and it's more than just a hobby/very important part of my life.

OP posts:
WhenSheWasBadSheWasHorrid · 21/05/2017 16:22

Yes but When if she wants the owner to get the dog back then putting more distance between dog & owner isn't helping is it

I think what she wants is for a runner to realise their dog has poor recall and keep them on a lead / invest in more training for the dog.

This same thread is up nearly every single month

Kind of suggests there is a problem then. And the op did say she is aware there are many good dog owners out there.

LadyPW · 21/05/2017 16:23

Run on the pavements - far fewer dogs off-lead, you can piss off the cyclists who are illegally speeding down them, and the tarmac lasts longer than grass. All sorted, no more goady threads needed ever.

LivLemler · 21/05/2017 16:24

YANBU OP. We live near a beautiful coastal path, it's one of the main reasons we bought this house. Most people have dogs with them, and most people are good owners IME. However, every single time we go out there will be at least one who isn't, usually more.

I don't want a dog running at me, I don't want to be worrying about if the dog is going to jump up on me, or lick me or otherwise make me nervous. I'm actually very rarely worried about being bitten, I just very much don't want dog on me.

Every walk seems to involve coming across someone who refuses to call their dog back, even when I ask them too and explain I'm not good with dogs. The whole encounter might only take 90s but it ruins my walk and leaves me bad tempered.

So I've stopped going out for a walk by myself, which is a bit shit.

Dog owners, a few tips:

  • If someone doesn't have a dog with them and you're in a place popular with dog walkers, odds are it's because they don't like dogs. So please be sensitive to that.
  • Beware not everyone else thinks your dog is cute/adorable/the centre of the world.
  • Your dog may be "just being friendly" or "more likely to lick someone to death" - this is exactly what I'm trying to avoid.
  • If your dog will ignore me, or if you keep it under control on a lead, I will quite happily pass you by and we can all go on our merry way - isn't that better for everyone?
Original poster
AngryRunner · 21/05/2017 16:25

Run on the pavements - far fewer dogs off-lead, you can piss off the cyclists who are illegally speeding down them, and the tarmac lasts longer than grass. All sorted, no more goady threads needed ever.

But I live in inner London, the fumes and traffic makes it a deeply unpleasant experience.

OP posts:
LadyPW · 21/05/2017 16:29

I think what she wants is for a runner to realise their dog has poor recall and keep them on a lead / invest in more training for the dog.
Even dogs with great recall won't come back sometimes if the runner is leading them OUT OF EARSHOT of their owner. Hence my suggestion of running back towards the owner - dog will hear owner & think 'oh yes, they want me again'. A dog doesn't see a runner and think 'prey' or 'hey, I can inspire another Mumsnet thread', it thinks 'a game, fab!' To stop playing its new game it needs to be distracted by being recalled. But the owner can only demonstrate its great recall IF it's not been led rapidly across the field out of earshot by a superfast expert marathon runner. Common sense. That's all that's needed. A tiny bit of common sense.

Honkyzeke · 21/05/2017 16:30

I'm a dog owner and I agree with OP the majority of dog owners are inconsiderate and arrogant where ever you live, dogs on leads in public places should be law. I would be absolutely mortified if my dog were to chase a runner, a child, a cyclist which is why my dogs stay on lead, because I realise that not everyone likes dogs or wants my dog bounding happily towards them no matter how cute they are! But not all dog owners are inconsiderate and arrogant.

EweAreHere · 21/05/2017 16:31

YANBU.

And, no people can't run 'anywhere'. You can get quite ill running along roads full of idling cars. It's terrible for you! And pavement is very hard on aging joints.

If owners can't control their dogs, then they should on a lead, end of. I don't think you over-reacted. They clearly weren't concerned about their dog's behaviour, so perhaps a chat with the police might change their minds about their obligations under the law.