About dogs and deer

[crispysausagerolls]

Ok sorry because this is my second dog-walking thread but I am so outraged by the following and want to know if AIBU:

I am heavily pregnant (still! When is this baby going to make an appearance?!?) and I was walking my dog today in the park. There was a huge herd of stags lying down that we had to go past to leave the park, so we have them a wide berth and my dog was walking to heel. As we came level with them, a rogue dog charged into them barking, followed by his owner who was jogging. The owner failed to respond and the deer began stirring, standing up and starting to freak out. I was yelling at the owner to get his dog and eventually he did, with a lot of “I didn’t see the deer/it’s not my fault”. The deer were about 10 seconds from freaking out completely and charging, and if they had come at me or anyone else, serious damage could’ve been done!

AIBU to expect people to be vigilant in a park with deer?!?!?

I think the answer to that question is quite obvious and you already know it

YANBU - Where I live the ranchers will shoot a dog who is found worrying deer/cattle/sheep.

Not to mention that the deer could have really hurt the dog.

One of the royal parks is at the bottom of my road and has roaming deer.
It's not just dogs. I shouted at a woman who let her toddler get 5ft from a stag last mating season.
Every year people get injured by stags because they think they're bambi.

Why write it as an AIBU? No one is going to come rocking up to the thread and say 'well I always let my dog harass the deer what's the issue'

The man made a mistake, presumably in a daze and being thoughtless. Now there'll be a whole self righteous thread about 'dreadful dog owners' even though 95% of us have never knowingly put a foot wrong.

Of course he was in the wrong.

Obviously he should have come running up apologising and fetched the dog. Perhaps your 'discusted of scunthorpe' attitude dampened his remorse somewhat.

I think it’s a relevant AIBU because there are people who let their dogs (or children) or even themselves run very close to the deer, so there must be people who have a different perspective!

Perhaps your 'discusted of scunthorpe' attitude dampened his remorse somewhat.

I don’t understand what this means

YANBU - the man should have prevented the situation, and as soon as the man realised what was happening he should have caught the dog.

Presumably this was a park well known for having deer, and the deer were meant to be in that particular location? I sometimes walk at a park which has a deer park. I know where the deer park is and we don't walk near it as a dog could get through the fencing very easily and my dog has no sense of self preservation. However, last time I was there there were 2-3 escaped deer that suddenly appeared in a place they weren't meant to be. Thankfully I saw them before DDog and put him on a lead, but it could have been quite different.

Have to say there's not a fucking chance I'd take DDog to Richmond Park or similar where there are free roaming deer, for fear of reenacting the FENTON! JESUS CHRIST FENTON video, as my dog would probably consider them to be oversized squirrels.

AIBU to expect people to be vigilant in a park with deer?

As my driving instructor used to say (ad nauseam)...

"People are idiots. Expect them to stop [or be vigilant for deer] but be prepared for them not to".

That said, being outraged by something that could have happened but didn't sounds exhausting to me. But then I wasn't there and am not heavily pregnant - with all the discomfort and added concern that brings.

(p.s. I am also far too afeared of my own FENTON moment to let a loose dog anywhere near deer, if I can help it)

You tube. Fenton.

Yanbu. My dog would chase a deer anywhere. I have to be so vigilant anywhere we go that I think there might be deer. Usually I see them before her (she’s a bit daft), but then she’s on the lead, or I’ve git the treats out distracting her and I make lots of noise so the deer know we’re about.
Coming across a load of lying down deer would be a nightmare!!!!

AvocadosBeforeMortgages

It’s a park exactly like richmond with free roaming deer!

missbattenburg

I think it’s because I was so terrified in that moment, when they stood up and started getting nervous and I thought they’d run at me and I would be screwed! Was quite shaken afterwards

Love all the Fenton references! I’d have thought that would be enough to make dog owners wary - I certainly am when I see the deer, that’s why my dog has to walk to heel around them.

I can't believe that a park with deer doesn't require dogs to be on a lead.

Ellapaella

Just like Richmond Park it doesn’t. Unless you’re in the non-deer areas to protect the flowers 😂😂

Hope the deer fleas got up the guy's trouser legs! They bite and bite!

What's wrong with people? if something's bigger than you and/or has pointy sharp bits on it, give it a very wide berth.

There are always idiots around wildlife, these are possibly the most stupid who have survived to tell the tale.

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5851549/Safari-tourist-tries-stroke-lion-4x4-window-big-cat-lets-almighty-roar.html

I run round Bushy Park regularly, the amount of people who don't keep their dogs/children in order round the big fuck off stags is unbelievable. You quite often find people feeding them people food as well, the mind boggles to be honest. I take a wide birth at all times, especially during the rut and baby deer season, the big ones (there are 2 types in the park) can be hugely aggressive.

@Ellapaella a dog being under control doesn't mean it has to be on the lead. That's the only restriction in lots of parks with deer.

I've seen a woman walk 3 red setters under her total control off the lead in a park with deer. She has trained them not to chase anything whether a runner, cyclist, child, ball or deer.

On the other hand I've seen a woman with a husky dragging her down the street on his lead. The husky actually went towards me so I moved far out if it's way and was told by the woman "He's friendly". Yeah so friendly next time I saw him he was wearing a muzzle and being walked by a man. It took another two months before I saw the woman walk him again wearing the same muzzle. (Incidentally I've seen the opposite with a boxer. A woman who can control him but a man who can't.)

We were caught out by a Muntjac a few years ago walking in a new area. 3 dogs charged round the corner to be confronted by a muntjac quietly grazing. RottDog went forward, the deer growled and then charged the 3 of them. I barely got out of the way before MuttDog went howling past me. Bloody wuss dogs were terrifed of him.

HelloDoris

It’s Bushy Park I’m talking about! The other day some deer cornered me at the gate because they are so used to being fed by people they will approach them, fearlessly. I don’t understand why people don’t understand that they are wild animals and need to be left alone!

@BlueBug45 yes I guess under control is good enough.. but are even the best trained dogs always 100% reliable?
I have done extensive training with my Labrador (both in lessons and Everyday at home I do some training) and she is good - she doesn't approach other dogs, animals or people but I still wouldn't trust her 100% and would use a lead if I needed to be absolutely certain.

@Ellapaella my point was you can have a dog on a lead but it can drag you into trouble if you have no control of it.

A lead is no substitute for training, understanding the characteristics of the dog's breed and understand the triggers for poor behaviour for your dog/the dog you are walking e.g. food, balls, being bored, other dogs.

I can't believe that a park with deer doesn't require dogs to be on a lead.

Bushy Park is something like 1100 acres (combined with the bits around Hampton Court Palace). If you walk in it regularly you get used to spotting where the deer are and their likely movements. Sometimes you can walk for an hour and not see any. Seems pointless to restrict a dog to being on the lead under those circumstances.

I used to walk my dog in there. She'd grown up around horses and livestock and never chased them. Some dogs are under control off the lead, some can be a bit of a nightmare on it.

Yes I know what your point was. I have a dog and like I say make all the best efforts to train her.what would you suggest people do in this park then? Do you think it would be best to ban dogs altogether?

And I have no idea what size Bushy Park is sorry! Never heard of it.
I stand corrected.

*As my driving instructor used to say (ad nauseam)...

"People are idiots. Expect them to stop [or be vigilant for deer] but be prepared for them not to".*

Mine says "There is an idiot for every occasion. The best you can do is make sure it isn't you".
As for the deer/dog, well obviously dogs should be controlled, but it sounds like an oversight or lapse rather than deliberate stupidity.

Ellapaella

I walk my dog off the lead there because his recall and walking to heel are great. Never had an issue with him and the deer.

Before he was trained though I would put him on the lead at the sight of deer or horses. If you walk in a park where deer are everywhere, you need to keep your eyes peeled, as Gabilan said. Especially right now as the does are in the bracken with the fawns so are extra protective.