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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Aibu to have not picked up my dogs poo?

450 replies

greenteaplease · 07/05/2018 21:39

Today I took my dog out for a walk on the beach, it's a lovely beach and majority of owners including myself pick up their dogs mess.

My dog loves to run out far and swim in the sea, she was ahead of me but in the distance I could see she was crouching down to go to the toilet. I hurried up to catch her however by the time I had got there I realised she had gone to the toilet at the edge of the sea and it was being washed away. I had a look to see if there was anything there but nothing was left.

A man with three large dogs approached me telling me 'your dog has just done a massive shit aren't you going to clean it?!'. I responded that I would have however it's been washed away. He pointed to something floating which wasn't a dog poo and said I should go in and get it.

Aibu to have not gone in? He spoke to me in a really threatening manner and said that it's people like you that make the world a disgusting place. I now don't want to go to the beach for a while as I've seen him there before and he speaks to a lot of other dog walkers, it was very intimidating as there wasn't many around that end of the beach and he was raising his voice and swearing.

OP posts:
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felicitythemangyfox · 07/05/2018 22:18

Ach, don't worry about it. Of course you should always pick up your dog's poo but if it's swept away it's swept away.

Many on MN are getting hysterical (not uncommon, sadly).

londonrach · 07/05/2018 22:18

Yabu op and very selfish to the surfers and swimmers and wild life using the sea. A surfer really wants you dog poo in his mouth or eyes. Keep your dog closer so youcan clear the poo away, in this situation you couldnt so man was in the wrong but alterally you in the wrong for having a dog so far away you couldnt get there. What happened if dog had attacked or been attacked.

Zaphodsotherhead · 07/05/2018 22:19

Surely the whole point of taking a dog to the beach is so that it can run?

We can't let them off in fields (stock to chase) or in woods (pheasants) or in empty fields (ground nesting birds), you can't run them enough on the lead to work off their energy so they are over-the-top and getting overweight...so where can we let them run?

User02 · 07/05/2018 22:19

I have no idea why dog owners think it is acceptable to allow dogs to poo in public/communal places. Even when the poo is picked up it is not as if dog owners scrub the area with bleach.
A Spaniel is a fair sized dog and for those afraid of dogs it is disconcerting to have such a dog running around. I would be scooping up my children and taking them away when dogs are on the beach.
I chose not to have a pet I don't see why I should have poo in the places I go or to have to decide to leave a beach or park because of an off the lead dog.

londonrach · 07/05/2018 22:19

Op...near where i lived dogs were banned from beach for just this reason. Selfish owners like you who had no control on their dogs.

ellsbells2 · 07/05/2018 22:20

It is grim but it happened to us as well. It is virtually impossible to pick poo up from the sea when both the poo and sea are sloshing around.

My husband and I were chasing nuggets around unsuccessfully and had to give up. We were mortified and I was actually bit upset as it's really disgusting for everyone else.

Our dog is usually very predicable poo wise and we went into the garden to make sure she'd been before we went out.

As a result we no longer take our dog to the beach at the weekend or school holidays.

nocoolnamesleft · 07/05/2018 22:20

And this is why increasing numbers of beaches are banning dogs, at least in summer.

adaline · 07/05/2018 22:20

Ah come on - yes it's not pleasant but what do you think all the fish and birds do? And what about dogs swimming and probably peeing in the sea?

DP surfs and I don't think he's ever worried about eating dog poo or getting it in his eyes. The sea is full of dirt, mud, pee and poo from a variety of animals and humans. By all means pick it up if you can, but I don't actually think anyone in real life would go paddling to pick up a (probably broken up) dog shit and take it home!

felicitythemangyfox · 07/05/2018 22:21

User02 where do you think foxes etc go to the loo? Do you think they clean up with bleach afterwards?

Louislovesmud · 07/05/2018 22:21

viques it's a fair question. With all my dogs we've used a command from when they are pups and going to the toilet to get them used to knowing that's the command for "empty your bladder / bowels". Not all take to it because not all train/learn to the same level... which is one if many reasons guide dogs are assessed before undergoing guide dog training.

It's very handy at 10pm in the pissing rain when you need them to do a last pee before bed though!

biscuitraider · 07/05/2018 22:22

Why is the op irresponsible, what bloody nonsense. She sounds very responsible to me, probably picks up every poo but for once got caught out by the forces of nature. Stop piling in on her because of one lousy poo. There should be more outrage for the bullying man who seemed to delight in castigating a woman.

MotherofDinosaurs · 07/05/2018 22:22

Reading this just makes me feel relieved that dogs are banned from our local beach. Revolting creatures.

RedDwarves · 07/05/2018 22:23

Christ, the hysterics on this thread.

The sea has seen far worse than a floating dog poo. And all of those suggesting that dogs be banned for this reason best remind themselves that they've waded through far worse at the beach.

AnnieAnoniMouser · 07/05/2018 22:24

It was being washed out to sea. It’s no worse than all the sea animals pooping in the sea.

Once in 4 years you’ve not been able to pick it up.

Carry on as you were and if bully boy starts up again tell him you’ll call the police. Twat.

RedDwarves · 07/05/2018 22:24

Revolting creatures

Yes, you sound simply delightful.

shouldnthavesaid · 07/05/2018 22:25

The sea comes from streams and rivers which come from mountains and falls etc.

By the time you're paddling in it , or swimming in it etc it's been through plenty of shit from various animals, birds, mammals etc.

It isn't sterile water - that's why some beaches have signs telling you if it's safe to swim dependant on water pollution levels. After a heavy rainfall it's generally worst as its full of crap from fields (in every sense of the word).

As for dogs being attacked when out running - by what exactly? The beach I go to has no nearby animals, houses, generally very few people except in summer (too bloody cold). If there's other dogs free running, she stays on leash when close. If we are alone, she runs free.

ROSEBUDTREE · 07/05/2018 22:26

Goodness me, do people not know how quickly things can be swept away by the sea? Calling the OP irresponsible and whatever else is vile. She’s clearly just said it’s the first time she’s not been able to clean her dogs mess up.

It’s hysteria over a dog poo, have you seen what else they put into the sea?

Expecting a dog on a lead for its entire walk when it isn’t regular with it bowel movements, pathetic. I’ve owned spaniels in the past and honestly think people need to do more research about this breed before making assumptions. They have endless amounts of energy and need to burn it off. Calling the OP irresponsible over one dog shit being washed away get a grip, you must be all oh so perfect.

I hope you all dispose of your waste personally so you know it’s being disposed off in your oh so responsible way.

Appletreecorner · 07/05/2018 22:26

A Spaniel is a fair sized dog and for those afraid of dogs it is disconcerting to have such a dog running around. I would be scooping up my children and taking them away when dogs are on the beach.

I wish there were more parents like you. Dogs should be free to have a good run around on the beach without kids and their parents whinging, screaming, screeching and flapping their arms about - not to mention the delightful little darlings who run up to "stroke the doggy" without the parent asking if the dog is friendly first. It's great to see you would scoop your children up and take them away. Wish there were more like you.

Stopandlook · 07/05/2018 22:27

Gross. I would have said something to you (or a bloke who let his dog shit in the sea) too. Totally gross.

User02 · 07/05/2018 22:31

Felicity - I am more than well aware of foxes and their disgusting habits. They earn their own hatred. I am also aware that sheep and cows also poo.

What right does supposedly tame animal supposedly in the control of its owner have to foul up any area?
We have foxes here and they are hated and rightly so. They are dirty and destructive. They also kill pets
As an intelligent being I use the plumbed facilities that I paid for or perhaps you would advocate that humans start using outdoors for waste disposal

Strokethefurrywall · 07/05/2018 22:31

God this thread is amazing Grin So many people hyperventilating about a bit of dog shit getting washed out into the vast, gigantic, presumably fucking freezing cold sea.

How many of you are going to be swimming in it any time soon? Fucks sake, cop on to yourselves...

Nicknacky · 07/05/2018 22:31

apple my daughter and I were sitting building a sandcastle when two running dogs knocked us over, then they started fighting.

Who was at fault, the owners who didn’t have them on leads or us just for being there?

SusieOwl4 · 07/05/2018 22:31

I think you could not help what happened. He was out of order .

But I went to a beach in cornwall last year where owners had bagged up the dog poo then hung it on trees on a path . Disgusting . And yes I am a dog 🐶 owner and always clear up after my dogs .

Shoppingwithmother · 07/05/2018 22:32

Right, Appletree, so we’re to get down to the beach for the day with all our stuff, picnic, kids, and then as soon as some inconsiderate twat turns up with their dog who wants to run around, everyone should get their kids and go home? If anything it should be the other way round.

sweeneytoddsrazor · 07/05/2018 22:33

I think maybe a very sunny bank holiday should mean dog on the lead at the beach unless its incredibly early or late.

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