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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:
Original poster
AngryRunner · 22/05/2017 21:56

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.

Yes but where talking about dogs not just attacking, but chasing, knocking over and jumping in a park run not about how violent people are. You can't compare animal violence to human violence. The threat of being bitten by a random dog while out jogging is higher than being radomly stabbed. Violence humans do happens for many reasons, you just can't compare I'm afraid.

OP posts:
RunningjustasfastasIcan99 · 22/05/2017 21:57

YANBU. I canicross with my dogs and am sick to death of dogs bounding up to mine and nearly sending me a over e. Some dog owners are ignorant and arrogant. 😡

Original poster
AngryRunner · 22/05/2017 22:00

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.

For fuck sake I've said I have no place else to run, I LiVE IN INNER LONDON I CANT RUN ANYWHERE ELSE. So dogs aren't the only ones who have no place else to run outside. This is why I said it must be lowering IQ cause I'm repeating myself constantly.

OP posts:
Violetcharlotte · 22/05/2017 22:01

*The threat of being bitten by a dog while out running is bigger than being randomly stabbed
*
But none of these dogs have tried to bite you have they? They've chased you and jumped up, but from what you've said they're not being aggressive, they're just trying to play.

I get you're scared of dogs and I understand that, but we're a nation of dog lover and dogs do need to run off lead. It's jut reasonable to say they should only be off lead of they're trained to come back immediately when called. They're not machines and sometimes instinct/ excitement takes place over. I think really have to either address your fears or find somewhere else to run. Is there not a running track near you?

Violetcharlotte · 22/05/2017 22:02

X post with your update..
sure there are running tracks in London.

Nancy91 · 22/05/2017 22:05

Run on the fucking pavement, get a gym membership or a treadmill, drive to somewhere that you can run, the list is endless!

Original poster
AngryRunner · 22/05/2017 22:05

Well I still think dogs should be on leads in a urban park like mine, maybe you live somewhere with open space for miles and then your dog can be off lead fair enough but the park near me is as busy as the average high st so it's not right and like I said why can't dog owners drive out to take their dogs off leads if it's that important to them.

OP posts:
Nancy91 · 22/05/2017 22:06

Just adding that I used to live in inner London and I went running all the time. Confused

Original poster
AngryRunner · 22/05/2017 22:07

I don't drive, I have a gym membership but the running machine doesn't do it for me plus it's not as good for training as you don't face the elements of the outside.

OP posts:
Original poster
AngryRunner · 22/05/2017 22:07

Yes but the only park in Walkinf distance is this park

OP posts:
Nancy91 · 22/05/2017 22:08

Then you'll have to suck it up buttercup, dogs are allowed in the park Biscuit

Juanca · 22/05/2017 22:09

Run on the fucking pavement, get a gym membership or a treadmill, drive to somewhere that you can run, the list is endless!

Great plan! Stay inside because people can't be bothered to control their dogs.

StarryCorpulentCunt · 22/05/2017 22:10

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.

Yes they do. It is a public space. You are allowed to be there, so are they. It is very concerning that you view nearly all dogs as a threat. They aren't. I walk my two dogs for 2 hours every evening and take them to all manner of parks and pass and interact with many other dogs every day and in 12 years (my eldest is nearly 12) have only ever been snapped at once and that was breaking up an altercation between DDog2 and a psychotic pug.

If you live in a city with few other open spaces then people will exercise their dogs there. They have every right to, it is perfectly legal and if the dogs are friendly and at least relatively well behaved they are doing no harm. They shouldn't be chasing you, I'd certainly not let mine and I said before that some people shouldn't have responsibility for another living being simply because they are inconsiderate knobs. That said, you can't expect every dog in the world to be perfectly behaved all the time and slip ups happen. The whole world does not revolve around you and your phobia.

If it is the same people doing it again and again then report them, don't tar all dog owners and all dogs with the same brush.

As for your last post, the same could be said of you. If you live in the middle of a massive city with limited open space and don't like running near roads and can't stand dogs, perhaps running isn't for you or you should move. Or drive somewhere more convenient for your run. After all people have as much right to own dogs as you do to run and dogs need exercise.

Violetcharlotte · 22/05/2017 22:10

*The park near me is as busy as an average high street
*
If that's really true then the dog shouldn't off the lead, but you shouldn't be running there either if it's that busy.

Cuppateanosugar · 22/05/2017 22:11

Saying dogs and use the park cause they don't pay council tax is like saying cyclists can't use the road because they don't pay road tax HmmGrin

Cuppateanosugar · 22/05/2017 22:11

Cant*

StarryCorpulentCunt · 22/05/2017 22:11

And btw humans ARE animals. Mammals to be exact. Hmm

Nancy91 · 22/05/2017 22:15

Maybe the dog was trying to help you achieve a new personal best running time? Silver lining.

Original poster
AngryRunner · 22/05/2017 22:19

Actually I can still run there cause a lot of the traffic is fellow runners and walkers who I can avoid with ease.

I have a problem with dogs being treated the same as a human my right is more than a dog as I'm a human. Since I'm a human I have priority over an animal as one is a an animal. I said I can't drive! And I don't care if this country is a country of dog lovers I'm a minority then and minorities still have rights, including being able to use a park.

OP posts:
SchnauzerLife · 22/05/2017 22:20

I also hate when owners have out of control dogs, but as a dog walker and runner find this is a rare occurrence. The simple fact is that wishing owners keep their dogs on a leash in the park isn't only selfish (public parks are rather surprisingly for the public...not simply runners) but cruel. Walking on a lead isn't enough exercise for a dog, even small breeds need a minimum of 20 mins free running. Would suggest OP either uses a treadmill, indulges in some urban running, petitions for a local running track and/or dog park or gets used to the idea of the general public being present in public spaces.
And maybe save those calls to the police for something that actually warrants it.

Original poster
AngryRunner · 22/05/2017 22:21

Maybe the dog was trying to help you achieve a new personal best running time? Silver lining.

Ohh you, your so funny aren't you. Make fun of a women who is scared of dogs and has a phobia from being bitten as a child on the leg. It's so fucking funny I had an anxiety attack isn't it.

OP posts:
Violetcharlotte · 22/05/2017 22:23

Angryrunner why do you believe that as a human you have more rights than an animal? We all share this space and need to get along.

Nancy91 · 22/05/2017 22:26

I was hospitalised by a dog, however I haven't developed a strange sense of entitlement and hatred towards dogs and their owners. Your right to run doesn't trump my right to let my dog run off the lead. If you are scared of dogs that is your problem to address, you can't just get dogs banned...

StarryCorpulentCunt · 22/05/2017 22:29

You can use the park. No one is catapulting you out with their extendable leash.

If you can't deal with sharing that space with dogs running around that is really your problem. They have every right to be there, they aren't hurting you, a bark is not a threat, neither is running behind you. If they do try to hurt you then report that particular owner.

WTF is the point in preaching to the choir? Those of us here who have well behaved dogs get as pissed off by irresponsible owners as you do. The odd knobber who shouldn't be allowed a pet rock, being a cunt shouldn't mean the rest of us shouldn't have dogs off lead in an area they have every right to be in. You sound self absorbed and frankly unhinged.

WhenSheWasBadSheWasHorrid · 22/05/2017 22:35

Sorry Angryrunner but your comment about dogs being more of a risk than humans is just not true

Actually angry runner said it was ridiculous to compare dogs and children (not all humans).
On the whole prepubescent humans are less dangerous than dogs.

Yes they do. It is a public space. You are allowed to be there, so are they. It is very concerning that you view nearly all dogs as a threat

Responsible dog owners are more than welcome to be there. It's the ones that don't keep their dogs on a lead and can't control them that's the issue.
Most dog owners and their dogs are great.