How do you defend your toddlers from dogs not on leads?

[Flatearthersphere]

I have 3 children 3 and under, we often go to the park, on walks to different places, our local reservoir with a play area, picnics etc etc..
Anywsy all these areas say dogs should be on leads but they aren't I would say about 50 percent of the time, not exaggerating but just seems the norm round here.

Anyway I am guessing most people could pick up their toddler if a dog came bounding up to them but I have 3, usually 2 in the pushchair and one walking. I thought this would be OK but I was in a situation a few days ago which scared me.

I had 2 in the pushchair, an elderly woman had a big collie which bounded up to us, on one of those extendable leads and she just let it run up to us, I shouted "please pull your dog away" and picked up my eldest but she just said "don't be silly he's being friendly" and I said "I Dont care pull it away" but she refused and it jumped up into my pushchair and scratched all my sons legs even though I was trying to push it away because I was holding a child.

This isn't the first time I've been in this situation, even me and my husband have struggled when we've been holding hands with all 3 and there was a big pit bull cross or something which knocked one of our toddlers clean off his feet.

Genuinely, how do other people deal with these situations? I feel like I can't ever take the children out on my own and like we have to keep them in the pushchair all the time even if there is 2 of us. I'm finding I am avoiding going out now and it's getting depressing.

www.gov.uk/control-dog-public

Nope the law not the snowflakes charter.

Bring it on. If my child needs protecting I will protect it.

The problem is that so many people have decided that dogs are dangerous beasts and that even being off lead is a threat to them. If people are scared of dogs or hate them to the extent I've seen on this thread then they can't accurately judge threat.
That said no dog should be bounding up to strangers, licking or jumping up or any other unacceptable behaviour.

If its illegal to protect yourself from an uncontrolled dog then we are living in a fcuked up country. Its animal abuse if an owner lets an uncontrolled dog off a leash. Its not abuse if you are protecting yourself from a dog jumping on you. Pet owners really are a law unto themselves.

The reason I asked you to check the results in the courts is that they do not give carte blanche to people wanting to harm dogs.

Just check them out. If anyone on this thread kicks my dog they will be taken to court. I will not tolerate cruelty to animals.

If your dog can jog on past my kids off a lead without leaping at,barking aggressively,cornering,running towards,leaping over jumping on and isn't an area it should be on a lead then crack on I'd have no concerns.

Only you as an owner can be absolutely sure and take that risk. I know several dogs where owners would be able to be pretty confident that none of the above would ever happen. Those who aren't that confident and just wing it are irresponsible.

If anyone on this thread kicks my dog they will be taken to court

Is there any evidence that courts prosecute people protecting their children from unleashed dogs?

If any one on this thread with a dog allows them to come close to my children with the potential to attack them I will defend my children and the owners of the uncontrolled animals will be taken to court for child abuse.

Protecting a child from a dog that is deemed dangerously out of control would never be regarded as wanting to harm an animal. You'd be laughed out of court.

If your dog makes my child feel he is going to be injured I will protect him however I need to and the law is there to protect me.You can make all the threats you like but it doesn't change anything. Keep it under control and you won't be prosecuted.

Best dogs i have ever met were two black Labradors when we took gd oit on her first pony. He was spooked by them (no idea why) so the dog owner sent them up the lane on the other side of the hedge them they just waited for him. I was so grateful, and he was just so in control of his dogs. Awesome dog owner and ace person.

There's plenty of prosecutions for animal abuse. These might be publicly funded by bodies such as the RSPCA. The point that i was trying to make is that I have the wherewithal to make a private prosecution.

You dog-kickers sheesh. You imagine that everyone lives in your environment and will willingly condone abuse to animals

Nope, not here and not ever

Sorry to disappoint but protecting yourself or your child from an out of control dog would never be regarded as animal abuse.

CowParsley2 I have worked bloody hard to ensure my dog won't bark, jump up, corner or otherwise make you feel uncomfortable. If I wasn't sure she wouldn't be off lead. None of those things are acceptable.
Kicking a truly out of control dog isn't something I would class as animal abuse if a person is truly scared and trying to defend themselves. But it is an action quite likely to end in them being bitten.
I've had people step off paths to let my dog and I past. Erm. No. Dog stands out of your way. People walk past on the path. I love her but she's a dog. People take precedence. Or they should.

Sheesh, some dog owners sound like Trump supporters. "If anyone stops me from waving my gun about near children I will take them to court for abusing my constitutional rights". Because guns dogs dont hurt people, people hurt people and I will continue to let my dog jump all over your children and there is nothing you can do to stop me. [inset evil laugh]

Dogs off lead is becoming more and more common place and something really needs to be done about it. Saying that the dog is 'just being friendly' is ridiculous and we have had it happen to us so many times.
We don't want dogs running at full pelt and jumping on us, that is why we don't have a dog. They should be kept on short leads and only let off in their own private garden or controlled public spaces.
My toddler niece a few weeks ago was walking (on reins!) along the village high street when a lady's dog (on a very long extendable) lead just ran straight at her and bit off a chunk of her nose. My sister heard those fabulous words 'oh she's just being friendly' seconds before the dog bit. Poor little girl is absolutely traumatised and is going to need surgery.
One quick call to the police dealt with it quickly though - no more 'little doggy' now. Advise everybody to do the same - whether it's a scratch, small nip or full on attack which shouldn't have to put up with this behaviour anymore. Maybe with the reality that their dog will be put down, dog owners would start to take some social responsibility.

Dogs off lead is not the issue.
Dogs not trained is the issue.
I am so sorry that happened. What an awful thing.
It isn't the fault of the "little doggy" though. (Horrid to be pleased an animal is dead. Even if it bit.
It's the fault of the owner. Nobody should use extendable leads on a pavement. Short lead. Close control. Don't let your dog approach strangers. It's the bloody owner who's at fault.
My dog goes off lead in quiet parks, fields and woods. She won't come running up to you. She won't bark or scratch or jump. I have recall.
I wish there was a dog licence again. Training potential owners about the law and what is and isn't acceptable. He's friendly? No. If he's leaping all over me then he's bloody rude actually. Nobody should have to feel intimidated by dogs in public. But it's the owners that are the problem and kicking dogs isn't the solution.

I completely agree with everything wolfie says. I'm very glad I live somewhere with responsible dog owners, I love being outdoors and I would hate to have that pleasure ruined like the op is because of dick heads who won't control their dogs.

I think too many people view having a dog as a passive thing. Lovely walks and a faithful friend to cuddle. In truth? If you want a well behaved dog it takes time and effort and probably money too if you're not an experienced owner.
Too many people think if their dog doesn't bite it isn't dangerous. It must be under control by law. If it makes people feel intimidated it's a dangerous dog. I'm acutely aware of that as I have a giant breed. To some people her existence anywhere near them is intimidating. She can't go flying up to strangers. It's not ok.

These are pearls you are so wrong, if someone kicked your dog because the dog was jumping up them and they felt threatened, you'd get nowhere in court. Fact.

These are pearls you are wrongly interpreting concerns from dogs behaving inappropriately due to owner lack of training & ensuing victim response as wilful abuse to animals rather than self defence. I too agree with Wolfie.

My friend has 3 Newfoundland's & was adamant that they are so gentle & no bother at all.
But when I visited with my 3 year old they were just 'excited' which led to them jumping up. Thankfully the 12 stone dogs didn't hurt ds or cause me to miscarry when they knocked me over but ffs it was pretty avoidable if they'd been better trained.

Well done starlight13

I've heard of this scenario too many times. No more friendly doggy may focus pet owners minds on considering other human beings .

Many thanks Wolfie for your posts. My bitten child is now a teen with a dog phobia. Have tried to reassure him that most dogs off leads will just scamper past as most owners are responsible. Will show him your posts to back my theory up.

For anyone truly concerned about dog attacks please, please note that if you meet a truly aggressive dog kicking at it will only get you bitten. The dog is very likely to latch onto the leg that's doing the kicking and may even bring you down which would now put your face near its mouth. Arms folded, eyes down, turn back if you can is the only safe response to a dangerous dog.

Compressed air has been shown to stop two fighting dogs but you have to ask yourself what happens next. Someone knowledgeable needs to intervene after the brief pause caused by the air.

I'd rather take a bite on my leg if it stopped my child getting hurt. No parent would ever just stand and watch if a dog was causing them to think their child was going to be injured.

Genuine question. Where we live there are lots of farms, free range dogs running loose etc and generally it's not an issue. However near my work there is a guard dog type tethered to a post (or something)on a chain or rope or whatever. It appears to have plenty of leash to rome about.
However it's constantly barking and growling (I appreciate being tied up probably doesn't help it's temperament). It's not happy and have been warned to stay well away from it if it's ever not chained up as it is vicious. Even the farmer's wife won't go anywhere near it.
So.....my question is this: bearing in mind it will one day break it's chain what does one do when an angry, snarling, 9 st, fast moving dog come at you?! I can't outrun it, I can't fight it off and in this case I don't see how turning my back in it and folding my arms would deter it (although useful advice in generally jumpy-up type dogs). Would a dog attack spray help?

Is there any point in reporting to the police? A friend was badly attacked while cycling, and the police were completely unable to find out who the owner was.

Sahknowme, that's what I was wondering....I'd have to do some research to find out the name of the farmer etc. However while tied up I admit it doesn't pose a problem but it's a vicious animal in a small village. I just hate to think what it would do to a child (and there are many of free range kids living in the village although none would be daft enough to go near it)and to not report it and have it attack someone I'd feel terrible. However one could also argue it's not doing any harm tethered to it's post.....dilemma indeed!