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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Dog attacked my husband! Feeling very cross about irresponsible owner

237 replies

BaitandSwitch · 27/05/2019 18:45

My husband takes a regular walk around the local park and fields and today he came home with some face bleeding.
What had transpired was that a regular dog walker had let her dog off the lead - which bounded up to my H and jumped up at him. In the process drew blood from 4 places - 1 claw clipped the inside of his nostril, and three sites around the nose and cheek. He naturally was in a state of mild shock. I asked what the owner's reaction had been. He responded he sees her and that dog regularly and the dog always makes a beeline for him and jumps at him. The owner laughed it off apparently saying, " oh he always goes for you".
I feel so angry and upset - how dare she have such a cavalier attitude and not keep her out of control mutt on a lead? I feel inclined to accompany my H on his next walk and give her a piece of my mind if I see her. I have just had to get this off my chest.

OP posts:
kaytee87 · 27/05/2019 18:47

Im sure your husband doesn't need you to accompany him to give anyone 'a piece of your mind'.
She obviously should keep her dog under control. Did she notice he was bleeding?

LagunaBubbles · 27/05/2019 18:48

What did the Police say?

Original poster
BaitandSwitch · 27/05/2019 18:50

The Police? If only. My H doesn't want to make a fuss.

OP posts:
Yerroblemom1923 · 27/05/2019 18:50

What sort of dog was it???

Original poster
BaitandSwitch · 27/05/2019 18:51

A mongrol - average size I think.

OP posts:
adaline · 27/05/2019 18:53

It's not clear - was your DH bitten or did the dog jump and accidentally scratch him?

Of course the owner should have her dog under control and on a lead, but I think there's a big difference between an attack (eg a vicious bite) and an excited dog jumping and scratching someone accidentally.

Stressedout10 · 27/05/2019 18:53

This type of irresponsible dog owner really pisses me off they give the rest of us a bad name
I second reporting to the police

edwinbear · 27/05/2019 18:53

I’d bloody report it. The dog is out of control, it could be a toddler next.

PawPawNoodle · 27/05/2019 18:54

Why do you say he was 'attacked'? It sounds more like the dog jumped up at him and caught your husbands face with his claws as he was doing it.

Not saying that's right, but it's hardly a mauling.

Serin · 27/05/2019 18:54

Hmmm.
Are you sure he hasn't been in some sort of argument/scrap. Or alternatively been assaulted and is embarrassed to "admit" it.
It's just that when I have treated people for dog bites it always seems to be the hands and legs they go for.
Has he reported to the police?

Original poster
BaitandSwitch · 27/05/2019 18:55

For clarity the dog jumped and scratched him, accidentally I'm sure. However if it were my dog I would always keep it on a lead as I think this is totally unacceptable to allow the dog to do this. H is worried in case the wound is infected as goodness knows what bugs and dirt etc is on a dog's claws.

OP posts:
fairweathercyclist · 27/05/2019 18:56

If he doesn't want to report it to the police he could report it to the local dog warden. There's a good chance they will know the dog concerned and can have a word with the owner.

adaline · 27/05/2019 18:57

For clarity the dog jumped and scratched him, accidentally I'm sure.

Then he wasn't attacked, was he? Hmm

Original poster
BaitandSwitch · 27/05/2019 18:57

Argument or scrap? My H is not that type at all!

OP posts:
londonrach · 27/05/2019 18:57

Report to police. dog could kill toddler

Biancadelrioisback · 27/05/2019 18:58

Jumped in a friendly way? If so that's is hardly attacked like your titles says.

LittlefairyMum · 27/05/2019 19:00

How do you cope in a real crises Confused

Shootingstar1115 · 27/05/2019 19:02

I would encourage him to report it to the police or the dog warden. It could happen again to another person or even a child.

All dogs should be kept under control in public areas imo (I’m a dog owner and lover too). I live in a village and people walk their dogs off lead all the time. Winds me up as they approach mine who’s quite shy of other dogs (since she got attacked herself). They also run up to my kids. Although my kids are dog lovers, I am trying to teach them that not all dogs are friendly but constantly get dogs running up to them!

Joeydoesntsharefood2 · 27/05/2019 19:02

He wasn’t attacked op. Are you exaggerating so people will help you feel justified in your odd anger over an accident?

AvocadosBeforeMortgages · 27/05/2019 19:03

Was it done in an aggressive way (eg growling and barking in a none-too-friendly way) or was it jumping up for attention and a fuss and accidentally scratched your DH?

Obviously neither is acceptable, and the owner should be keeping the dog on a lead or alternatively putting it on a lead whenever she sees a third party.

However, it does change how you might deal with the issue.

FWIW if the dog is jumping up to ask for a tickle, and this happens again, I would suggest that your DH needs to make himself as boring as possible to this dog. Fold his arms and turn away from the dog, continuing to turn away if the dog persists. It means the dog isn't being rewarded for its behaviour - even pushing the dog away can be a form of attention and mean the dog feels rewarded. I have a dog and so often come into contact with dogs that jump up when I'm walking DDog. I find that ignoring dogs that jump up and giving them a calm stroke when they have all four paws on the floor can be very effective; you can often see the dog learning very rapidly if there are a few repetitions of stopping attention when they jump up and giving attention when they have four paws on the floor.

Serin · 27/05/2019 19:04

I wouldn't worry too much re infection, wash the cuts thoroughly and keep an eye out for signs of inflammation. If he develops a temp and feels ill then he needs to get medical assistance.

LagunaBubbles · 27/05/2019 19:04

He wasn't attacked, you made it out he had been bitten! No wonder he doesnt want to go to the Police.

KickAssAngel · 27/05/2019 19:05

I'd go with him on the next walk, with phone. Film it. Tell owner that you will report to police if she can't control her dog.

It doesn't matter if the dog deliberately attempted to hurt or did it out of over exuberance - OP's DH is hurt. It's the impact that counts in these situations, not the intent.

Cryalot2 · 27/05/2019 19:05

Make a note of everything and report to the police. Your dh may not want to but, the next time it could be a child.
Most parks have a notice stating if dogs can be off lead, so wonder was it permitted to even be off lead.
I wouldn't say anything to the owner but I would try and gets photos and give all to police.
Would also report to local counc dog warden who can deal with such.
Hope your dh is ok and his wounds heal.
Dog owners like that are totally irresponsible .

AvocadosBeforeMortgages · 27/05/2019 19:07

Just seen your update about it being accidental. Undertrained and overenthusiastic, but not an attack. Tell him to follow the advice I gave above.

The scratches are no more likely to get infected than if they were gained gardening or falling over playing football. Clean them, put a bit of antiseptic on them and keep an eye, but I wouldn't be too concerned about the infection risk.