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

[AngryRunner]

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!

You say that the dog owner was commiting a crime because you felt afraid of their dog, are you sure about this??

The dog ran after you, this isn't intimidating behaviour in it self. If the dog didn't follow command to recall this is a separate issue, but very different from a dangerous dog.

I was hurt by a dog attempting to attack my dog. I picked my dog up to protect her and the dog went for me. I took photos of my injuries and went to the police station to make a statement but heard nothing back. I doubt the police have time to investigate a dog who chased you.

Not much trouble round here, but I think it is a very doggy place and also everyone seems to have their particular times to be dog walking/cycling/running.

There are thoughtless dog owners and thoughtless runners. When I'm out walking - with or without dog - I don't like the sound of feet thundering behind me and forcing me into the hedge or the gutter. And as for cyclists... I'd almost rather have a pack of slavering rotweilers after me than some lycra-clad twat with a skinny bottom whizzing along a path and refusing to slow down on a dual use path.

On common* land there are less restrictions on dogs running free . I am normally a brisk walker but at the moment have to walk more slowly, which is when you realise it can be a bit intimidating when people or dogs are running past you. Cyclists sometimes speed too much in shared spaces.

I am lucky I live near a beach where I can wander at leisure, and take my neighbour's dog with me. But I am aware some people are nervous of dogs so keep him under control, and as we have to clear up after our dogs we should always know where they are. Our local park also has a running track for those training, and we have some beautiful cycle paths.

It is arrogant and bad manners to assume that because you like running, cycling or have a dog to behave in such a way as to spoil other people's enjoyment of their leisure activity. I sympathise with your fear of dogs and you should take photos of those dogs who chase you. You might find that deters people from not controlling their dog. So a little courtesy and consideration for others is what is needed by all of us.

(*eg Wimbledon, Wandsworth or Clapham Commons )

Lol at Lycra clad twat.

I commute to work by bike on the towpath. I wear my jeans.

People are weirdly enraged by things.

I am rather astonished that you have wasted police time, really? People should control their dogs, mine has awful recall and will chase anything so doesn't go off the lead. But a police investigation I cannot see that as anything other than irresponsible.

Sunshinesuperman, don't worry, the police won't investigate this and have likely just given her a reference number. They certainly won't care that a dog ran near her.

First world problems!

hibbledobble - Yes, the law states that someone only needs to feel threatened for a dog to be considered potentially dangerous. As this post demonstrates, that's open to fairly wide interpretation!

Oh and a dog didn't run near me it chased me while barking for 200meters the owner was very far behind and seemed to be out of breath just keeping up with the dog. Definitely should not be off the lead.

Oh and when did I say I want a park for runners only! I am happy co existing with dog walkers when they keep the dog away from me. I do always slow down when near children and will move off the path for pedestrians or others because it's quicker than waiting for others to move.

I wouldn't be so sure the investigation will be thrown out. The police have said that this dog has chased people repeatedly and has bitten a women on the leg before. So hopefully the lady will lose this pet as she is clearly irresponsible.

I think 9/10 people would feel threatened by a large wolf like dog off lead running and barking for 200 meters.

Today I was approached by dog who started sniffing me and tripped up on it. It really is every other day almost and is making running unbearable for me. THIS IS THE PROBLEM not the one or two dogs once in a while, a dog every other day is the problem. If cyclists were interfering than I would post of them. But 99% are not. If walkers were than I would post. No other group do I have a problem with, only dogs.

The rudeness on here, the dismissive attitude to unacceptable dog behaviour is just astonishing.

I do however feel for dog owners who dogs are attacked. They must feel the same as me, fearful to do something I love.

I was actually attacked (badly) by a massive dog before. I still think you are overreacting massively.

The dog wasn't chasing you aggressively, it would have caught you.

The police definitely won't do anything about a dog running and barking in a public park. Don't waste their time with this non event.

If this is happening frequently don't you have the common sense to run somewhere else as there will always be dogs there...

If this is happening frequently don't you have the common sense to run somewhere else as there will always be dogs there...

I live in inner London I have no other place to go.

I run in many different parts of London, and the majority of urban runners are not constantly being chased around by barking dogs!

So either a) You're just incredibly unlucky, b) It's the same small handful of dogs over and over again in your local area and their owners need to be dealt with or c) something about your behaviour / demeanour is alerting the dogs - eg. they are picking up that you are hyper-aware of them as you pass (perfectly understandable if you are afraid!) and they are responding to this.

The only thing you have much control over is option (c), so is there anything you can do to make yourself less fearful? Do you have a friend with a dog who you can spend time with? Maybe go on some walks with them? I'm not suggesting this to get at you and make it your "fault", but because your response is the only thing you have much control over in this scenario.

"Buckingham if it's a closed play area then you should close the gate - that's what it's there for. If it's not fenced off then technically dogs have the same right to be there, even if it's not ideal."

It's not closed, of course I'd close a gate if there was one! It's a todder's playground, with a big "no dogs" sign. But still, owners think their wonderful dog who just loves children should be the exception.

Some people are irresponsible and shouldn't have dogs. Any dog with a history of unprovoked biting would be put down if mine. However much I love them I wouldn't take the risk. However I find this "any untrained dog should be on a lead" unreasonable. They have as much right to be there as anyone else. Any young dog may have slip ups. See someone they think they recognise and go running to them or jump in excitement at someone they perceive to be playing with them. They are puppies after all. Babies. You can't do all recall training on a lead. Yes you use a long line until you can rely on them not to disappear but there comes a point when you just have to trust them and train them "on the job" so to speak. Most people's kids have probably caused annoyance and inconvenience at some point and personally I fucking hate children. Don't want any but my own anywhere near me but they are young and we tolerate them kindly. If you share public spaces you have to have some tolerance for others.

StarryCorpulentCunt - ironically, the only time a runner has shouted at me was during long lead training on Hampstead Heath! Said we were in the way. Obviously, there was no way he could've run around us - he only had the ENTIRE expanse of heath!

Angryrunner can I ask why you did not just stop running when the dog was chasing you? Surely you could see it thought chasing you was a great game. If you had just stopped, the dog would have stopped and the owner caught up and put it in a lead. Problem solved.

They have as much right to be there as anyone else. Any young dog may have slip ups.

This is the type of comment that annoys me so much, actually no they don't have the same right at least not in my world. In my world humans are above dogs and all other animals. If your dog is a potential threat which nearly all dogs are they must be on a lead. End of discussion it's so fucking simple. I don't get why people can't get this.

1. humans

2 Dogs

A dog doesn't have a right to go anywhere it is an animal and not a human.

I've never said people shouldn't walk there dogs just put it on a lead in an urban park which is bound to have things to tempt your dog.

Does having a dog lower some people's iq. It's not rocket science.

And yes maybe should be reintroduced with dogs. However it doesn't change my view that members of the public should have the right to use the park without interference of any kind from a dog.

I have respect for owners who can acknowledge this and try their upmost and occasionally have slip fair enough that wouldn't bother me but the people that have their dogs off leads and the apologists for the irresponsible examples I have given shame on youz

Angryrunner can I ask why you did not just stop running when the dog was chasing you? Surely you could see it thought chasing you was a great game. If you had just stopped, the dog would have stopped and the owner caught up and put it in a lead. Problem solved.

The owner was not insight at the time, was a fair bit away from dog before it chased me.

"can I ask why you did not just stop running when the dog was chasing you?"

Why would you run away when there is a big, wolf-like dog chasing you? Can you not think why?! I've read that you're not supposed to run from dogs as they think it's a game, but in practice, if you're scared and there is a dog running at you barking, it's very, very difficult to act like a tree!

personally I fucking hate children. Don't want any but my own anywhere near me but they are young and we tolerate them kindly. If you share public spaces you have to have some tolerance for others.

Comparing dogs to children is stupid. 1st off I wish dogs would interfere in my runs the same as children do ( i.e. Not at all). Secondly children aren't threatening, parents are always nearby and children won't bite, jump or scare.

Why would you run away when there is a big, wolf-like dog chasing you? Can you not think why?! I've read that you're not supposed to run from dogs as they think it's a game, but in practice, if you're scared and there is a dog running at you barking, it's very, very difficult to act like a tree!

Exactly fight or flight.

I know what about if you live in the middle of a massive city with limited open space maybe a dog isn't for you or maybe you should move/ drive out somewhere where there is the space for your dog to roam free.

Sorry Angryrunner but your comment about dogs being more of a risk than humans is just not true. I think if you compare the numbers of people harmed by dogs each year, compared to the number of people harmed by humans, you'll see you're much more likely to be harmed by a human than a dog.

cdn2-www.dogtime.com/assets/uploads/gallery/german-shepherd-dog-breed-pictures/standing-7.jpg

The dog that chased me I think was this bread but I'm not sure.

Yanbu. The law does say that anyone frightened can report under the Dangerous Dogs Act, quite right too, given the fucking chavs training their staffies to swing off tree branches round here.

As a dog owner, I do not allow mine to approach people and I ask other owners to keep their dogs away from mine. Mine will attack other dogs, I prefer to keep him and their dog safe. Idiot tonight with three dogs, zero control, staring like a mad thing at his phone and ignoring my dog. Bit silly given he had no idea what mine is like. Obviously I kept mine under very close control until he was out of the way.

I feel sorry for you, OP, being chased by dogs would shit me right up.

The dog doesn't have to be on the lead in the park. It's pretty much the only place it can be off the lead and free to run around. You are clearly frightened of dogs, so run somewhere else if they are ruining the park for you. Complaining on mumsnet won't banish dogs from the park.

No, owning a dog doesn't lower a person's IQ. I would question the IQ of someone who considers a barking dog at the park to be a police matter.