Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Think people shouldn’t have dogs

38 replies

Prawnsandwhich · 03/11/2018 21:14

Just been to a local firework display. We have 2 dogs which aren’t bothered by them at all so we’re fine being left at home alone. We live in quiet a rural area also with quite elderly people so no chance of anyone letting them off near us anyway. At the local display I heard a dog crying looked to the right and a couple had brought their children and their dog to the display! The dog was clearly very distressed trying to pull away, yelping whenever one off. After about 5 minutes of them muttering to each other one of the couple left with the dog. I can’t believe some people would be so irresponsible and bring a dog to such a big display. Do people just not think?

OP posts:
SerendipityFelix · 03/11/2018 21:18

Well they left when it was clear the dog wasn’t coping well.... perhaps the dog is young or rehomed and this is their first autumn together, they didn’t know how it would react until they tried it. It didn’t work and they took it home. I don’t see the issue tbh.

Original poster
Prawnsandwhich · 03/11/2018 21:22

Because you just wouldn’t take a dog in the first place. Why would you? It’s not going to enjoy it

OP posts:
Birdsgottafly · 03/11/2018 21:23

"I don’t see the issue tbh."

The issue is that they put the dog through distress. While some dogs aren't bothered by them, there isn't a dog that actively enjoys fireworks.

I've seen people walking dogs through busy Christmas Markets and the like, with the dog completely stressed out.

I agree OP, some people are idiots.

LaurieFairyCake · 03/11/2018 21:30

I took the dog last year, she's not remotely phased by it - she was young so there was no way I'd leave her at home.

We didn't take her tonight as she was happily asleep and she's older now.

extremelymaturecheese · 03/11/2018 21:35

YANBU there are plenty of people who shouldn't have a dog. Also have all the Christmas puppy gifts / January cast offs coming up as well.

I disagree with Serendipity - I think it's more like neither of the adults wanting to stay home with the dog and miss out on the fireworks so they both came out

echt · 03/11/2018 21:38

If this thread was titled some people shouldn't have dogs, I'd say YANBU.

As it is, it comes over as goady.

Shoppingwithmother · 03/11/2018 21:40

I came in here hoping to agree that, yes, nobody should have dogs. At all. Can’t stand them.

chapthedoor · 03/11/2018 21:42

That's cruel. Our dog is scared of fireworks so one of us stays home with him while the other takes DCs to a local firework display or MIL comes to look after him if we both want to go. Friends with dogs do the same. You don't need to take your dog everywhere with you !

selepele · 03/11/2018 21:43

yes that was stupid. A lot of animals are scared or upset by fireworks. My cat is sitting under the bed because of it, I put blankets around it so she is covered and her bowl under there.

some people shouldn't keep animals if they don't know how to not upset them

Bambamber · 03/11/2018 21:45

My dog doesn't even seem to notice fireworks, but I certainly wouldn't take her to an actual firework display. I don't think it's fair to put the dog in a potentially high stress situation. Dogs certainly don't get any kind of benefit from firework displays so what is the point in taking them? Just leave them home where they will be happier. And if they don't like fireworks, stay at home with them

Debfronut · 03/11/2018 21:50

We took our dog tonight to a local display. We live in the country, it's a massive field and she likes the huge fire. She sits by it enjoying the warmth. She has been coming with us since she was six months old and is part of the family outing. She is now 11. Maybe they were trying to get the dog to relax around fireworks or as a pp said the dog was new to them.

adaline · 03/11/2018 21:52

Some dogs aren't bothered by fireworks. But I agree you shouldn't take one to a public display unless you know they're not bothered.

But it could be that the dog is fine at home and struggled in close range. At least they took him/her home when showing signs of distress.

woollyheart · 03/11/2018 21:55

I used to have a dog that didn't mind fireworks because he was deaf. So, I used to take him unless I thought it might be crowded.

ImHudsonHesHicks · 03/11/2018 21:55

Some dogs don't care. You never know until fireworks are going off so I can't say these people were really wrong. Someone took the upset dog home. I hope it got lots of cuddles and reassurance.

BrokeLuce · 03/11/2018 21:55

Yanbu. I honestly believe that most humans are not fit to care for animals. Unfortunately, I've seen some horrible things. I personally would love for animal ownership to be phased out. It's incredibly unlikely to happen and completely infeasible but that is how I feel. And I have pets.

Dollymixture22 · 03/11/2018 21:59

Was a bit silly to take he dog because there was a big risk he would be scared. But at least they left.

princesstiasmum · 03/11/2018 22:02

I think it is stupid and irresponsible to take a dog to a firework display, some dogs have had heart attacks with all the loud bangs and high pitched sounds
My own little dog is terrified every time firwork goes off, and wont even go out for a wee, she just shakes
I cant believe people who take their dogs for walks off lead either when fireworks are going off, so many go missing when spooked by them

Frlrlrubert · 03/11/2018 22:02

Our dogs are not remotely bothered.

When we only had one (and no children) she did come to displays with us. We don't take them now because wrangling two and a toddler is a pain in a crowd.

If they've had bomb-proof dogs before, and/or the dog was fine at home last year I can see why they gave it a go. Hopefully it was a genuine mistake they won't repeat.

TheRealHousewife · 03/11/2018 22:09

Our —cunty— delightful neighbours have been setting off fireworks at 10 minute intervals for the past 3 hours. Not little ones either. The sort that shake the house and sound like bombs.

There are horses in an adjoining field and most neighbours have multiple dogs/pets. Never mind making the neighbourhood animals jump. I’ve been jumping out of my skin all night. Fresh out of hospital too.

TheRealHousewife · 03/11/2018 22:09

Strike through fail

Brigante9 · 03/11/2018 22:11

Difficult. One of mine used to sit on the garden bench with me while the neighbours at the back did their own massive display. There’d be bits falling on us, sounded like bombs going off, he couldn’t care less. My current lot couldn’t care at all, but I think the crowds would be too much, I’d worry they’d be stepped on/poo in inconvenient places in the dark etc! It’s definitely not the place for a dog, IMO.

I did firework training with a puppy I was looking after for a few weeks, by the end of it, he wasn’t particularly bothered. Better doing that in a safe environment like the house with a firework soundtrack, tho, so you can control the dog/level of noise. Perhaps they’re just naive?

anniehm · 03/11/2018 22:21

I haven't taken him (because we cannot be bothered to go and stand at the racecourse looking at the sky and paying for the privilege,) but I would take my dog if I went because he couldn't care less about fireworks, in fact he looks up and seems fascinated by them and he likes hanging out with us. He just went for a walk and isn't fazed at all with the noise

BMW6 · 03/11/2018 22:23

People shouldn't have dogs??

SOME people shouldn't have dogs.
SOME people shouldn't have children
SOME people shouldn't have breath

Original poster
Prawnsandwhich · 03/11/2018 22:25

Yes I obviously meant ‘some people shouldn’t have dogs’

OP posts:
YasssQueen · 03/11/2018 22:25

I don't get people who take their dogs to places like firework displays.
Sadly many people are oblivious to the many stress signals dogs display, plus if you're gazing at the sky you're not watching your dog anyway.

You hear so many horror stories of dogs getting spooked by fireworks, slipping their lead and running off this time of year. Just leave them at home where it's safe.