Dogs off the lead

[LudaMusser]

I was walking with my thirteen month old in the pushchair this morning through a nature reserve type place. I've only recently found it and it's great for the two metre rule as the track is maybe six meters wide

It's quite popular with walkers, joggers and dog walkers. For the second time now an old woman (maybe sixty) has came towards me with five dogs all off the lead and none of them that close to her, she's definitely not in control of them

It really annoys me because on both occasions one of the dogs has ran straight up to the pushchair. I've then angled the pushchair to try and move it away from the dog. Two dogs are big, one a boxer type dog and the other an Alsatian. The other three are small terrier types. AIBU to want the dogs to be on a lead?

As a child I was scared of dogs as I was chased by some alsatians once and nearly bitten another time. I don't feel easy around some dogs, particularly bigger ones. I'm always concerned for my little girl, if a dog jumped up to the pram it doesn't bare thinking about

@charlestonchaplin I don't have any idea why my posts made you think that but you do you. If you want to be selfish instead of a martyr that's nothing to do with me.

Although I live in a rural village I used to drive four or five miles to a series of open fields which almost exclusively were used for dog walking so I can't do that now. I am having to walk my dog in my village now where, although there are footpaths across fields (had a very scary encounter with rather lively cows yesterday) there are very few fields to allow dogs to run freely. I am always surprised when I read these types of threads that the OP appears tongue tied and can't just say 'would
You mind calling the dogs to heal whilst we pass by?'

Regardless of dog owner rights and wrongs, if you as a parent think you’ll only ever encounter dogs that walk at heel and that’s all that ought to be coped with, there’s no law to back you up saying that a dog must walk at heel.

I agree, you can call out to the dog owner/walker to call them back.

Sadly, there are always people who will disagree with the posters who have stated that dogs should not be allowed to be approaching people. As a runner and a very regular walker, I always appreciate and thank those who have trained their dogs to not go up to other people or who recall their dogs when people are approaching. Of course, there are plenty who believe this type of behaviour is to be tolerated as it is the dog’s rights, or so I have had explained to me along the path when I have asked people to recall their dogs to be met with a very firm ‘no’.

However, have a look in your council’s by laws also. In my area, if someone has more than four they need a permit and they have to follow tighter guidelines to keep that permit (or so I have been told). If it continues to be a problem, talk to your council.

I’m a dog owner, but totally respect that not everyone likes dogs, or that even if they do they don’t want a strange dog that they don’t know approaching them. Boxers can be quite big bouncy and Alsatians, although I think they are a lovely breed, need good handling. I love dogs, but if 2 boxers and an Alsatian came bounding up to me, my dog and my toddler I would be a little cautious and definitely not too pleased if the owner looked unbothered and a little away with the fairies.

YADNBU

If a dog isn’t entirely under control of the person walking it, it should not be off its lead. A pack of 5 dogs running up to people (and pushchairs) can be very intimidating.

YANBU at all.

My dog often goes off lead, but he's automatically put back on if we see other people or other on-lead dogs. People shouldn't be inflicting their dogs on other people like that. Not everyone likes dogs or wants them near them.

And please check whether she can even walk that many dogs at once - many areas have by-laws which restrict the number that can be walked at any one time.

Twice in the last week I've encountered this woman. Both times the dogs were 30-40 ft ahead of her. The nature reserve is too nice a place to stop walking through so I will continue. I'm not going to avoid places with dogs or I would have to stay in the house

She is the only person I've encountered not keeping dogs under control and I've been going on regular walks since July. Dog walkers on the whole seem very responsible

I walk through a nearby park and the Council have recently stenciled on the paths that dogs are to be kept on a lead or you can be fined up to £1,000. I'll see if the same applies here

I will say something next time I see her about the dogs running up to the pushchair. My dad has two Rottweilers and they aren't allowed in the same room as my daughter. Not that they're aggressive towards her but at the end of the day no dog can be trusted 100% IMO. I don't think it's much to ask that's dogs are called back when people are approaching. The lady probably just thinks that because she's comfortable with her dogs skis everybody else

100% think YANBU - not everyone likes dogs!! I wouldn't be comfortable with a dog approaching a pushchair - 3 year old child got killed a few years ago by a dog - not saying they are all like that but the owner of that dog said he was friendly. Much better safe than sorry.

Definitely YANBU. This is one of the reasons I like private gardens, NT etc for walks as most have dogs on leads rules, but obviously that isn’t an option at the moment and you shouldn’t have to - all dogs should be on leads in public places.

I haven't read it yet but stopped at old woman... Maybe 60! omfg! 🤯

YABU for calling a 60 year old woman old. She is in her prime. ( only teasing!)

old woman... Maybe 60! omfg!

I know! Scary, isn’t it?

OP, if it’s a nature reserve, I doubt there’s any obligation to keep dogs on leads. There certainly isn’t in the one near where we live.

YANBU - dogs should be on leads in public places

YABU - people at 60 are not old! They are not even old enough for a pension.

When you say ‘approached the buggy’ what actually happened? Did they walk up to it then walk off? Or did they touch it with their mouths/noses? Or did they touch your DC?

I get fed up with this. Most are ok, but some dog owners seem to get a kick out of intimidation by dog!

Bloody dogs.

Yanbu at all. I hate this too.

For the second time now an old woman (maybe sixty)

Can't see the relevance of this detail at all and 60 is not 'old' OP.

But yanbu. We let our dog off the lead when there's nobody about, but as soon as we see someone, she's back on the lead.

There are lots of places dogs have to be on leads. If this is one of them, she is being unreasonable. However if not, waking so,where with dogs off lead when you're afraid isn't a good idea, is it?

A good idea is to change what you can, don't try and change everyone else. It's futile and frustrating.

Walking where. Bloody autocorrect.

60 - old? At 85+ my own mother was still trotting, and I meant trotting around the woods with her dog. I'm 67 btw. OP you are as rude as fuck. If an 'old woman' of 60 can handle the dogs you can as well.

Of course yanbu op. Unfortunately there will be lots of self centred odd balls who think the freedom of their precious dog trumps all else.

Whenever I try calmly calling out dog walkers for not controlling their dogs I invariably get angry sweaty responses. It really is obscene the privilege a minority of dog owners seem to think they have.

I take my dog off lead but he is not interested in other dogs or people so he never approaches anyone. He also comes back when called (more because he is a scaredy cat than good training).

I hate dog owners who don't control their dogs, it is so unfair on the rest of us.