To want to say something to anyone I see walking their bloody dog

[TooTTootY]

In 30° fucking heat!

I live on quite a rural road which lots of people walk their dogs down. The amount of people I've seen nearly dragging panting dogs down the pavement today is appalling!

AIBU to think you're a lousy dog owner if you drag them out for a walk in this heat? I've felt like saying something to a few of them where there dogs have looked absolutely sweltering. How many times do people need reminding?!

I ran to my car to grab something before, I didn't have shoes on, just socks and I could feel the tarmac burning even through my socks so I don't know what a poor dog feels like being forced to walk on it for God knows how long.

[TooTTootY]

@dontdisturbmenow

It’s not enough time for their bodies to acclimatise and get used to it properly
Haha, of course! Vets will say anything to protect their ass! They are not going to say that of course it's fine to walk a dog at 12 noon for two hours in the sunshine in 35 degrees.

Their expect owners to be responsible enough to judge what is ok for their dog, and the very fast majority do. If they are walking their dog, it's because they know their dog is fine.

🤦‍♀️

[TooTTootY]

Assuming you disregard all medical advice too then seen as doctors will say anything to protect their ass.

[Thisisconfusing]

I don’t understand why people do that to their dogs either . Mine has been walked at 7am in woodlands throughout the heatwave and I take water with me for them as well. I get that some people have shift patterns that don’t allow a 7am start But I think it would be better To not walk at all rather than risk Overheating - it’s got a high fatality rate . I have also taken my dog out at 11pm at night but that brings other issues. I do also think it will depend on breed as to how much they can tolerate . We’ve got a breed that is from a much warmer climate so actually likes the warmth but I still won’t risk going out in the heat despite them being well adapted to it .

[Springersrock]

YANBU. I hate seeing people dragging their dog about in weather like this.

However, we take our dog to work with us, took her out for a wee for 5 minutes at lunchtime - walked her across our car park in the shade to a grassy area (also in the shade) when some bloke comes over, very aggressive, shouting, calling me an idiot, a cunt and all sorts for walking my dog in this heat

She’s currently hogging the aircon unit so I don’t think she’s too hard done by 😂

[TooTTootY]

@bigchris

My cat sits in the sun in his big fur coat, then he comes in and sleeps on the window sill in bright sunshine nutter!

Our cats actually aren't as bothered either. But they have the choice of being indoors or out, they have a cat flap they can access at all times if they want to come indoors, fresh water in the house etc...

A dog who has been forced out on a walk doesn't have the luxury of choosing to be there or not.

[dontdisturbmenow]

Ah so it's fine because not all of them will die. Gotcha
The point is people judging.

Dogs also die because they are walked out before being vaccinated. Do people go to any puppies asking if they've had all their vaccinations and tell them they are complete idiots if not.

Of course not, but when it comes to heat, it's ok to judge despite having no knowledge of the dog who might very well be used to the heat, cope well with it because of their breed, the fact that they don't tend to run etc...

[dontdisturbmenow]

A dog who has been forced out on a walk doesn't have the luxury of choosing to be there or not
But do you know that it's been forced and doing against its will when maybe he is just like a cat and doesn't mind it.

The point is you don't know so keep your negative assumptions to yourself.

[vanillandhoney]

Dogs die of many different things. It doesn't mean that all dogs that walk in hotter times are bound to get heatstroke and die!

Well no, and I never said that. You're just exaggerating to try and take away from my point.

There is absolutely no need to take your dog for a walk (not including people who are just taking theirs to the toilet) at midday when it's 30+ degrees outside. It's just a silly risk to take for everyone involved and personally, I'd never forgive myself if I insisted on waking my dog in this weather and he died of heatstroke due to my stupidity.

Mine is currently flopped on the sofa in front of a fan. We were out for a swim early doors and that's it for the day. He won't collapse because he didn't get taken out again when it was 28 degrees, but he may well collapse if I take him out. Dogs won't die if they miss a walk or two.

[Sunrise234]

when some bloke comes over, very aggressive, shouting, calling me an idiot, a cunt and all sorts for walking my dog in this heat

I do not agree with anyone being aggressive!
He was probably frustrated at seeing so many dogs being out, knowing they're not happy.
No one knows anyone's circumstances and it could be that you live in a flat so need to take them out for a wee a few times a day or that your car has air-con or the woods you're walking in is cool.

[TooTTootY]

Because it's not obvious from looking at a dog whether or not it's been vaccinated. If someone openly told me they were walking a puppy before it's vaccinations then yes I'd think they were stupid and say as such.

When you see a dog being dragged down a pavement on 29°c heat, panting like mad and quite clearly uncomfortable, the situation is a bit more obvious.

It's the same with dogs in cars, one dog might be fine in the boot for 30 minutes in the sun. It doesn't mean I think it's right, because a lot of dogs wouldn't be. And yeah I'd judge it.

I wouldn't risk my dogs health for the sake of leaving them in the boot of a hot car so I could go for a coffee or taking them on a walk midday when I could go early morning instead. It's not worth it.

[popcornlover]

But why not say anything to these people who are taking their dogs out? Why come on here instead, spending ages typing about it on a five page thread?

Where’s your logic? If you’re worried about the dogs, speak to the owners.

Tippy tappy typing on Mumsnet will do nada to help the dogs, will it?

[TooTTootY]

But do you know that it's been forced and doing against its will when maybe he is just like a cat and doesn't mind it

My dog has been sat at the earlier wanting to go out. I know he wants to go out. The point is, if I take him out for a walk, he doesn't have the choice to go back indoors once we are off on our walk. Yeah, he's daft enough to want to go out now because he's cool and doesn't understand. It doesn't mean it's the right thing to do though. That's why I make the decision for him.

[year5teacher]

@dontdisturbmenow why are you so desperate to defend something you don’t even do yourself 😂 if you don’t walk your dog in the midday sun then clearly this isn’t directed at you

[Sunrise234]

Of course not, but when it comes to heat, it's ok to judge despite having no knowledge of the dog who might very well be used to the heat, cope well with it because of their breed, the fact that they don't tend to run etc...

Of course people are more likely to judge the heat because people can feel the heat for themselves and can see the dogs look hot.

That's like saying why do people judge owners who leave their dogs in hot cars but not cold cars.

[TooTTootY]

Sat at the door*

[goodwinter]

YANBU... However, I wouldn't say anything as you don't know their circumstances. For instance, we've had to take our dog out in the heat a couple of times as he's got a stomach upset but won't poo in the garden. So we have to go to the end of the road to the grassy area to let him do his business, otherwise he will loudly cry and possibly shit in the house. To anyone else it might look like we're taking him on a long hot walk, but we're just doing what we have to do to get by while he's unwell. (Don't worry btw - we're in contact with the vets for him and fingers crossed he'll be better soon!)

[minnieok]

Ddog did go out at lunchtime but for a swim in the river and pub lunch (definitely a dogs life!) if you saw him on the pavement it was for 3 mins in the shade

[year5teacher]

@bigchris

My cat sits in the sun in his big fur coat, then he comes in and sleeps on the window sill in bright sunshine nutter!

😂 cats are so mad, mine is currently wedges into a little shady nest he’s made in the hedge. Mine is a fluffy boy too!

[Confrontayshunme]

People walk their dogs on the tarmac promenade at our beach and I comment to EVERY SINGLE ONE that they are causing an animal pain unnecessarily. And I don't even like dogs. YANBU.

[MovinOnUp]

Can I have opinions on walking a dog through woodland down to play in a river, 22 degrees currently.

[MovinOnUp]

Sorry, Should add...The river is less than 10 minutes away.

[vanillandhoney]

@MovinOnUp

Can I have opinions on walking a dog through woodland down to play in a river, 22 degrees currently.

I'd say it was absolutely fine. 22 degrees isn't too warm and they'll have access to shade and water.

I took mine out this morning and it was that temperature - admittedly they didn't run about too much but they enjoyed a good swim!

[ThatBitch]

My dog has been flaked out in the shade between the fence and house where there is the smallest breeze drifting down. He has at least 4 water bowls which I refresh every hour or so. I soaked him down with the house at lunchtime and he has either been in the shade or in front of the fan on a cool mat all day. He is a St. Bernard so very susceptible to heat and we are very careful with him, he hasn't had a walk since early Saturday but is very happy and relaxed :-) people should be stopped and fined walking their dogs on hot tarmac on a day like today.

[PuppyMonkey]

Our friends had a lovely healthy dog, aged about one, who went out for a walk on a day not nearly as hot as this in the evening. I suppose they thought he seemed “fine” on previous occasions. But on this one occasion, he came home and dropped down dead from heat exhaustion.

I know it’s just an anecdote etc etc and maybe I’m just scaremongering etc etc. But I assure you this is a true story. Think it was 2017 or maybe 2018.

[bengalcat]

YANBU I take my mutt out before work @ 6am . In these covid times the added bonus is less humans and no picnics in the park so she can plod or run around to her hearts content .