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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Abused by dog walkers, I'm shaken up. WIBU?

84 replies

Roostersmum2 · 27/03/2020 14:51

I've been isolating at home for 9 days as I've been unwell, we have no garden so I've been in desperate need of some fresh air. Me and DH decided to take the DC (2 and 1yr) out in the pram for a short walk down the local canal.

There was a bloke walking the opposite way who passed us. He was wearing headphones and "rapping" out loud. Swearing.

Ten minutes later we saw him again coming behind us and he'd met up with with another bloke who had a big bull mastiff type dog which was off it's lead.

I asked DH to slow down and stop for a second because the dog had stopped stationary and was looking at us. I said "just wait a second with the pram and let them get ahead with the dog"

Admittedly I was a bit intimidated but I wasn't saying anything remotely offensive about the dog or it's owners.

The bloke we saw initially (headphones on rapping) started swearing saying "if you're going to talk about the fucking dog then say it to us"

I responded and said I'm weary of dogs in general so we are letting you go ahead.

He then began ranting about how people like me (with two young children) are good for nothing except laying down and spreading our legs.

I took the pram from DH and said let's just turn and go back this way, we walked off and he continued to swear and rant.

I checked behind us as we were walking off and they were pursuing us for a minute then turned and went back in the direction they were headed.

I'm very shaken up now and upset.

Was I being unreasonable or offensive Confused

OP posts:
Confuzzled123 · 27/03/2020 14:57

Sounds like they have their own issues that are nothing at all to do with you.

In my experience, you can’t win with some people. They are just out to pick a fight. You could offer them a cheque for £10m and it still wouldn’t be enough.

Try to forget about them.

ragged · 27/03/2020 14:58

They were arses.
You could have spotted they were arses & up for a fight & not said something about being weary of dogs. I get impression you don't like dogs & they could tell. They wouldn't miss that opportunity.

If you live in a place with plenty of arseholes it would be help you to learn to spot them early & not give them opportunities to be true selves.

Not saying you did anything wrong, just trying to describe how to make things easier for yourself.

Toddlerteaplease · 27/03/2020 14:58

Ignore them. Some people are just nasty.

LittleCabbage · 27/03/2020 14:59

Of course you WBU. What an arsehole. I'm sorry you had the misfortune to cross paths with him.

alexdgr8 · 27/03/2020 15:01

everybody's het up and on edge.
he was obviously no gentleman. try to shake it off. it's not personal.
he probably has no exemplar of gracious or considerate or gentle behaviour.
but, on a wider note, it might be best not to walk on a towpath, as they are quite narrow, for a family group, not much passing space, also they are remote from the street, overview, might not be safe.
take care.

Original poster
Roostersmum2 · 27/03/2020 15:03

I got the arsehole impression at first glance to be honest. The mouthy one was the type of person a lone woman would be weary of if walking alone.

The dog owner himself didn't say anything at all, he just stroked the dog on its head and gestured it to walk on.

The mate was a scumbag.

We're home now and DH is very quiet. I think he was scared too.

OP posts:
Original poster
Roostersmum2 · 27/03/2020 15:04

Can I ask those who've voted that IABU why that is? I'm open to being told I'm In the wrong and happy to hear alternative opinions

OP posts:
somegoodnewsforonce · 27/03/2020 15:05

That's awful, I'm so sorry that happened to you. Have a cup of tea and a few deep breaths.
It really is unsettling when something like that happens.

Ps if you had a cough or fever then your family should still be isolating I think.?

Lllot5 · 27/03/2020 15:06

Some people are just nasty.
Out looking for a row.
‘They would moan if you hanged them with a new rope’ as my old mum would say.

Original poster
Roostersmum2 · 27/03/2020 15:07

I haven't had a cough or fever btw, I've had stomach trouble and been generally run down

OP posts:
NymphadoraBonks · 27/03/2020 15:07

Of course YWNBU.

All you can do with scumbags like that is ignore and fervently hope he falls in the canal.

Notredamn · 27/03/2020 15:08

Are you really unsure about whether you were offensive or not?

SoleBizzz · 27/03/2020 15:08

Listen.. He is in turmoil if he is sayi g stuff like that and he isn't a nice person right now. He is a coward and chooses his target well.... Remmeber this.

SoleBizzz · 27/03/2020 15:09

Notredamb seriously? Then you been living under a bush all your life? Naive at best you are.

Original poster
Roostersmum2 · 27/03/2020 15:10

Well I don't think I was offensive by wanting some distance between a loose large dog and my pram with two children in it, but a dog lover could easily be offended by somebody being weary of said dog couldn't they

OP posts:
Hopefullysmart · 27/03/2020 15:11

OP scum are everywhere, even on here. Don't waste your time asking those who thought YWBU why they think that. Hmm

ellaandthebella · 27/03/2020 15:12

Missing the point of the thread, but if you have been unwell and isolating for 9 days then shouldn't your husband and children still be isolating as they need to for 14 days?

ellaandthebella · 27/03/2020 15:13

Also that man sounds absolutely awful and you did nothing wrong.

Original poster
Roostersmum2 · 27/03/2020 15:14

@ellaandthebella I haven't had a cough or fever, I've had an upset stomach and been generally ran down. Stress I presume.

OP posts:
bringincrazyback · 27/03/2020 15:16

What a revolting man. You did nothing wrong.

Daisydoesnt · 27/03/2020 15:17

OP it's wary. Weary means being tired.

He probably didn't hear what you said other than "something, something dog" but he sounds like an absolute shit. Sorry you were frightened; as if times aren't hard enough.

Iwalkinmyclothing · 27/03/2020 15:17

Oh OP :(

Of course you didn't do anything unreasonable, of course you weren't being offensive.

MayTheGodsBeEverInYourFavour · 27/03/2020 15:18

He just sounds like an aggressive knobhead. Entirely not your fault. Try to forget it.

Lockheart · 27/03/2020 15:19

So it wasn't actually the dog walker who was abusing you, it was his friend?

Of course you didn't do anything wrong.

Original poster
Roostersmum2 · 27/03/2020 15:20

Wary yes, not weary although I am weary too Grin

OP posts: