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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Bitey dog in pub

61 replies

TheMatteEffect · 31/08/2018 11:57

(Preface to say I spent six weeks in intensive care having been bitten by a dog and contracting sepsis)

I bloody love dogs

In a pub last night, dog on lead runs up to me, about a metre from owner. I say to dog - hello, are you friendly, owner tells me to stay away as dog has bitten people before.

At first I think he's taking the piss because his dog is at my feet; the owner claims it's a short lead so it's my responsibility to step away. I do because I'm not an idiot, but say there's small children running around. Response was "Children should be in bed at 7pm"

I point out this is a pub, it's quite busy and the dog, if it has bitten should be muzzled. Manager comes over, and I explain what has happened and point out the pub have a duty of care - I was hacked off with the owner by this stage. Manager claims the pub won't be responsible for any injuries caused by the dog and the dog won't be leaving; and I say something along the lines of "actual you would be responsible as the owner has (now just admitted to the manager) that the dog is a biter and people need to stay away; just like you would be if someone said they had a knife".

Dog owner shouts " it's a public place, it's just like the park, do you want me to not walk him anywhere".

I walked away, we finished our drinks and left to meet our friends elsewhere.

I'm meant to be doing a review on the pub for families with kids; I now want to tell them to avoid because I'd hate for a kid to get bitten.

OP posts:
thegardenfairy · 31/08/2018 12:47

Definitely write that review. When my dog was a puppy we were doing a long distance journey to visit a sick relative. At lunch time we looked for a dog friendly pub as we were hungry and didn't want to leave pup in the car.

We came across a village pub with a large sign outside "Dog Friendly", together with a list of dog foods and treats. Perfect!

We put pup on his leash and entered the dog friendly area. A dog flew across the room at us and attacked the puppy! Obviously we were shocked and upset and questioned why that dog was allowed in there, especially unleashed. We were told they were regulars so couldn't throw them out.

We spent hours at the vets with my poor pup being stitched up and he had to stay the night at the vets, which meant we had to book into a hotel for the night.

We returned to the pub the following day to ask the details of other dogs owners to settle our vet fees. Pub landlord denied all knowledge of this event taking place 🤬🤬

twoshedsjackson · 31/08/2018 12:48

The owner asked whether he wasn't allowed to walk him anywhere, but he wasn't walking him - he was sitting in the pub!
Possibly add that to the review,
I agree that he probably felt entitled as a regular; I feel sorry for the dog, as a well-trained animal has a better life, being able to go anywhere within reason, but you have suffered the horrible consequences of lazy ownership yourself, despite being a dog-lover.

Swissgemma · 31/08/2018 12:48

I have a dog. Mine is not 100% great with other dogs but randomly 95% great and 5% git - no rhyme nor reason. but great with people and kids. I wouldn't let him go up to other people as not everyone loves dogs. Absolutely, the landlord should've told the (I assume) regular to keep his dog away from people who don't want it near them. Even without the biter history.

But another thought.... my dog is great with people and children but I am amazed at the number of people who let their children stroke him with asking first. Even if the dog is in a child friendly place there shouldn't be an expectation that you can touch the dog. The flip side being that you shouldn't let your dog run upto people!

we were once in a bar during the day with my toddler, there was a dog running around without a lead. my toddler said "hello mr dog" didn't touch (he knows not to) the owner shrieked across the bar - "take your child away from my dog, my dog is scared of children" - I was a little Hmm keep your dog away from my child?

Original poster
TheMatteEffect · 31/08/2018 12:56

my dog is great with people and children but I am amazed at the number of people who let their children stroke him with asking first

This is what worries me most - I asked about whether the dog was friendly, but had it been a kid that was where I was and the dog ran up, the natural reaction for the kid would have been to try and pet it as many children aren't taught to ask before stroking.

OP posts:
ChiaraRimini · 31/08/2018 12:59

Write the review. People need to know the pub landlord puts his mates dog above the safety of customers. I'll bet the landlord is a twat in other ways as well.

roundturnandtwohalfhitches · 31/08/2018 13:00

Def write the review. The landlord is an idiot.

iMatter · 31/08/2018 13:05

Sounds like the owner and manager are mates so the dog's probably in there a lot.

100% leave an honest review mentioning the aggressive dog.

pigsDOfly · 31/08/2018 13:09

This absolutely should go in the review.

Appalling attitude of the stupid dog owner, but in a way the pub manager was even more unreasonable as he/she should be considering the comfort and safety of the other customer and clearly isn't doing so.

That is something I'd like to know if I were going to take my children into the place, or my dog.

SchadenfreudePersonified · 31/08/2018 13:09

YANBU. If you have a dog that may bite people then the responsibility is 100% on you to make sure he doesn't bite people. The manager is outrageous to allow the dog to remain given they know he's a biter.

Totally this ^

A bitey dog should be muzzled in public, even if it is on a very short lead. And injuries are the responsibility of the owner - but that's not much consolation - being in the right while your child is bleeding all over the floor.

I can only think that dog-owner was a regular, or a particular pal of the manager. If the pub is owned by a brewery, as opposed to being a free house, I would contact the brewery with your concerns. And I would slate them in my review.

Cailleach1 · 31/08/2018 13:14

The man mustn't care about his dog very much. If it bites anyone, it could be reported. I pity the poor thing.

It goes without saying he couldn't give a fig if someone is bitten.

RedHelenB · 31/08/2018 13:23

I think yabu a bit unreasonable as the dog wasn't aggressive and was on the lead. You asked if it was friendly and the owner told you no. However, I personally wouldn't want to risk it being in a pub if I was the owner. Certainly mention dogs being in the pub in your review and then people with children can make up their own minds.

RedHelenB · 31/08/2018 13:25

Actually ignore that as the dog has vithen people before. YANBU!

Original poster
TheMatteEffect · 31/08/2018 13:25

I think yabu a bit unreasonable as the dog wasn't aggressive and was on the lead.

It was still able to approach me. That's what has pissed me off, it wasn't under control on the lead.

OP posts:
Original poster
TheMatteEffect · 31/08/2018 13:26

Cross post there but yes, this is what my problem is...

  1. dog has bitten before
  2. dog allowed to approach people
  3. owner's attitude
  4. manager's attitude
OP posts:
amicissimma · 31/08/2018 13:36

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SistersOfPercy · 31/08/2018 14:08

Grumpy dog owner here.

I would never be so full of self importance to demand other people make allowances for my dogs temperament.
He's grumpy. He probably wouldn't bite you but I'll be damned if I'm going to put him in a situation where there is a chance he might. For this reason he doesn't go to pubs, playgrounds etc and when out wears a Julius Harness with Do Not Pet along with a red lead stating caution.

The problem with grumpy dogs, on lead, in confined areas is there are far too many people out there who seem to think they are dog whisperers. They can ignore all the warnings because your dog wont bite them, they are good with animals. I'm so so sick of saying 'actually, he might' I find it easier to just avoid people with him.

Bellyscreen · 31/08/2018 14:19

Out of interest, were you there purely to do a review eg for a company? Or are you doing a review because you want to? It doesn’t matter, just curious.

Original poster
TheMatteEffect · 31/08/2018 14:22

@bellyscreen I do reviews for a local blog from time-to-time. I agreed to review this place (I don't get paid for it, it's a blog that is all about family things within our area)

OP posts:
TopBitchoftheWitches · 31/08/2018 14:30

I have an old female gsd (10). My children are all teens and I have said to them, as I have been working all summer, they are not allowed friends in the house if I am not there.

This is to protect both other people's teens and also my dog.

My dog has never shown aggression to an adult or child but she has to other dogs (she doesn't like spaniels Hmm )

So, rather than risk anyone getting bitten and my dog put to sleep, that's our rule in our house.

Dog owner and pub manager were being very unreasonable imo.

twiglet · 31/08/2018 14:36

It's these types of owners which really annoy me as then it makes people think all dogs are the same!

The dog should have been wearing a muzzle if it has a history as the owner has a duty of care and would be prosecuted for failure to be in control of a dangerous animal if the dog did bite someone.

The manager could have handled it better and either asked him to leave or move to an area out of risk way.

I do however agree that children should be taught by parents not to run up to dogs and start trying to stroke them (or in a lot of cases with my dog hit them as they don't understand gentlyHmm).

We take our dog to our local she's pretty big as a greyhound cross but very gentle with children of all ages but the number of times we have had to teach children how to approach her is ridiculous (usually after they have come up started playing with her ears/face) and check first so ask owner, put fist out to smell slowly and gently stroke! One parent of a toddler said to us that her DS didn't need to do all that as he had just petted her (without asking)....they actually got in a huff with us when we explained why we were explaining it (for the safety of child and safety of dog as the dog would be blamed for anything!)

Bellyscreen · 31/08/2018 14:52

Absolutely write the review. In the same tone you’ve written here - clearly stating the facts, not having a strop, just tell people what happened. Include the good bits, like you’ve put here about the beer garden. But definitely write it.

Stupomax · 31/08/2018 14:56

I used to manage a pub. We used to boot dogs that caused problems even if they were owned by regulars we liked. Although tbh it was our regulars who caused problems rather than their dogs...

Furrydogmum · 31/08/2018 15:25

I have a beautiful dog that attracts attention, I adore her and she adores me but she hates and fears unwanted attention and snarls if she feels cornered. Unfortunately beautiful as she is, she's the canine version of a venus fly trap! My pet name for her is "you bastard bitch" (East is East to thank for that 😆) I never let anyone pet or get near her but they often go out of their way to.. It is unbelievable how many adults and children try to get in her face - because they want to tell her how beautiful she is! She's not beautiful when her lips are curled in a snarl and I'm gripping her collar to stop her leaping at their face. I avoid people and other dogs and don't put her in the position where she feels the need to defend herself because she thinks I'm not. Pet owners who know their pet is dangerous even if through fear are not caring for their pet in the right way if they put them in that position and have no public conscience to boot!

Furrydogmum · 31/08/2018 15:31

The point I intended to give was you should give feedback that lets people know the risk - I have 2 dogs I could happily take in a dog friendly cafe etc and 1 I can't but several times I've seen dogs growl at children or other dogs in these places and it isn't fair on anyone!

Booboostwo · 31/08/2018 17:20

oldnewmummy that is a completely different situation and it is very important to teach children not to stroke dogs without asking. First you ask the owner, if they say yes you ask the dog, I.e.outstretched hand for dog to smell, if all good, then stroke under chin. If the dog backs off, turns head away or looks in any way weary he is saying no and the child must learn to read the signs and respect them.

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