My fault that someone's dog ran across the road?

[Heathercob]

This morning I was taking Sally for a walk and there was a family who were walking two golden retrievers on the other side of the road. I stopped to pop pick and one of their dogs saw Sally and ran across the road in front of a car (luckily the car stopped in time)!
The Woman then proceeded to tell at me saying that I shouldn't have been stood there, that it was my fault that her dog ran across the road and asked me whether I was trying to get her dog killed!

[Nottherealslimshady]

She was stressed, angry at herself and deflecting, just forget about it.

[Besom]

Some people do this - immediately jump to blaming someone else for their own mistakes, however ridiculous.

[Flittingabout]

Some people are so mean. Would you really tell a stranger to fuck off when they have just had a terrible scare. How unkind. No need to go down the eye for an eye route surely. You did nothing wrong OP but surely you have lashed out at someone else when angry at yourself before?

[ilikemethewayiam]

I wouldn’t dream of walking my dog next to a road off lead. He’s so well disciplined and walks to heal off lead but I could never guarantee he wouldn’t spot something on the other side of the road and instinct takes over (squirrels)! I would never forgive myself if he was hit by a car! Of course it’s entirely her fault and she had no right to verbally abuse you. Ignore her if you see her again. As one PP said, you are not a verbal punch bag for HER mistake!

[smiffypeabrain]

In puppy classes we were taught "this is your dog and their behaviour is your responsibility"

Lightswitches you poor thing, right now, I wish I could go back in time and tell that man how unreasonable he was, on your behalf.

I was told off by a stranger too which stayed with me. I crossed a road on my bike but was in a high gear and couldn't get over quickly enough, it was a quiet cul de sac but then car raced up and he shouted at me for being stupid. I went home and lay on my bed going over and over how stupid I had been but more worried that the neighbours had seen and would think me a stupid and careless child. It, too, upset me for months.

Sorry, to go off on a tangent - as you were.

[RandyLionandDirtyDog]

What universe are some of you living in??

Why is it ok for the stupid dog owner with a dog off lead on a street to shout at the responsible dog owner?

So because stupid owner made a glaring mistake, she needs kindness and sympathy even though her actions almost got her dog killed?

That’s plain nuts.

The dog should have been on a lead regardless of how well behaved it might be normally, and if the OP had responded by swearing at her, I wouldn’t have blamed her at all.

[ThePluckOfTheCoward]

The woman is a fuckwit, end of. Don't give her anymore headspace. If you see her again and she starts berating you again, tell her she lacks the intelligence to be a responsible dog owner and that you have/are going to report her for not keeping her dog under control and that you will not be speaking to her again as your policy in life is not to reason with stupid - you let the relevant authorities do that.

[namechangetheworld]

She's a dick. The dog should have been on a lead.

[Beagled]

Certainly not your fault, but I think it was a shock / fear reaction and she’s regretting it now.

[vanillandhoney]

I imagine she was scared and just lashed out at you. Obviously that doesn't make her behaviour acceptable but I imagine her heart was crashing out of her chest!

Her dog should have been on a lead, 100%. And it wasn't your fault at all, so don't blame yourself. Dogs on lead around roads at all times.

[milcmxxx]

It’s not your fault at all. Sounds like she got a bit of a fright and took it out on you, she probably calmed down and felt silly for saying it was your fault. You did nothing wrong!! She should have had him on a tighter lead x

[RedOasis]

People so obviously at fault always try to blame others first. I watched a car smash into someone at a roundabout cos he was speeding and didn’t give way. His response ‘ you should have seen me coming’...... morons!

[labyrinthloafer]

@Flittingabout

Some people are so mean. Would you really tell a stranger to fuck off when they have just had a terrible scare. How unkind. No need to go down the eye for an eye route surely. You did nothing wrong OP but surely you have lashed out at someone else when angry at yourself before?

I would limit myself to a I think but I would have to bite my tongue as I don't like being upbraided by strangers when I've done nothing wrong!

[sonjadog]

"dog ownership does seem to attract the really stupid, and the 'it is all someone else's fault' brigade"

What a remarkably stupid thing to say.

As others said, she was probably just scared and lashing out. Impossible to tell without knowing her if that is her default reaction or if it was just in the moment and she is now kicking herself. But you did nothing wrong so try not to dwell on it.

[Topseyt]

Of course it wasn't your fault. It was hers. Totally. Her dog should have been on the lead. I am a dog owner, and have never let mine be off the lead anywhere near roads as it is far too dangerous.

Dogs should be on leads on public roads for the safety of themselves, drivers and other pedestrians. I think it is even stipulated in the 1985 Road Traffic Act (or one of the Road Traffic Acts anyway).

It is still very common though to see people walking along beside busy roads with off-lead dogs. I hate it when I have to drive past them and do so as slowly as I can because dogs (like toddlers who are running loose) can be unpredictable and can bolt, especially if they see another dog or anything else that they are interested in on the other side of the road. They can be the cause of serious accidents.

[Wilkiemini]

She’s a massive Twat and obviously was feeling like a bellend for not having proper control of her dog and nearly getting it killed! Has never never heard of a bloody dog lead FFS

I would have torn shreds off her if she had shouted at me for standing in the street with my dog minding my own business!

[pictish]

Yes if she started yelling at me that failing to have her dog under control and letting it run into the road in front of a car because it saw my dog on the other side was my fault , I’d tell her to fuck off.
I’d be shocked too.

[JesusInTheCabbageVan]

She was a dick.

Unless you're going to drip-feed that 'Sally' is your enormous roasted ox studded with chilli-cheese hot dogs and garnished with a deep-fried chicken, in which case you really shouldn't be taking that for a walk.

[lurker101]

Definitely not your fault, especially as it sounds like her dog was not on a lead!

[GabsAlot]

i would have at least said what fucking planet are you on

i wish leads were mandatory

[TimeForANewUserNameMethinks]

I should think the driver had a shock too but the OP where are you doesnt say that they got out of the car and yelled at the owner. So being in shock isnt a reason to yell and blame others when you've been a twit

[rainbowunicorn]

She sounds like a nutter, just ignore.

[Somanysocks]

Don't worry about her Op, I was shouted at by a woman because her gsd pulled her over as it chased my dog down the road. Clearly they are the ones that aren't in control of their dogs not the other way round.

[Somanysocks]

Unless you're going to drip-feed that 'Sally' is your enormous roasted ox studded with chilli-cheese hot dogs and garnished with a deep-fried chicken, in which case you really shouldn't be taking that for a walk.

Shouldn't make any difference

[Percephone]

This happened to someone I know. The dog on the other side of the road was on an extending lead and was unfortunately run over and killed. She felt terrible but untimately it was the owner's fault. Extending leads are dangerous!