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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To expect dog walkers to keep their giant dogs on leash around other peiple

999 replies

Thewithesarehere · 27/12/2020 12:52

I am still quite sick after seeing a dog, nearly my DC’s size, running after my DC knocking them to the ground and running over them.
DC is covered in mud. I was taking a picture of them running to me and it happened in a flash. I shouted at the dog owner who something like put your own children on leash.
Why the hell people don’t keep such huge dogs and then let them off leash in a public park around children? DV is covered in mud, shivering and complaining that their leg hurts where it hit a rock and that they are scared of dogs. I wish I had done more but don’t know what else I could have done.
AIBU in feeling bloody furious?

OP posts:
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Original poster
Thewithesarehere · 27/12/2020 12:53

Sorry for the spelling mistakes here. I am furious.

OP posts:
Shinylikeglass · 27/12/2020 12:56

I think any dog that's not sufficiently well trained as to be relied upon not to approach any other people or dogs should be on a lead in public, but clearly lots of dog owners disagree.

EagleFlight · 27/12/2020 13:00

I don’t think this is to do with the size of dog but to do with how well trained they are. Locally a couple own a few Irish Wolfhounds who are wonderfully well behaved. Yet a Chihuahua knocked my son over the other week.

HeelsHandbagPerfumeCoffee · 27/12/2020 13:02

Ohh poor you how frightening, hope You and Your child are ok
Some dog owners are so reckless they have no regard for safety or mop
My little one had a fear of dogs when a dog jumped on to her buggy whilst she was strapped in pram. She was unhurt physically but really traumatised.

No doubt the doggy apologists will be along shortly to make out it’s your fault and you should have known better

Wolfiefan · 27/12/2020 13:03

I own wolfhounds. They are off lead in public. They don’t approach people unless invited.
It’s not about the size or the dog or the fact it’s off lead. The law is that dogs must be under control. This dog wasn’t. So the owner is breaking the law. And what an arsehole response. Put a child on a leash??? Shock
I’m so sorry. How is your DC?

TheChristmasPrincess · 27/12/2020 13:11

I know I can’t trust my toy cockapoo off lead because he will not come back when called, will go over and jump up at people or randomly have a go at a dog he doesn’t like the look of (no size or breed discriminated against). I don’t think it matters about the size of the dog but more on how obedient and well trained they are. The dog owners should have more common sense and know if there dog is liable to barge into kids and misbehave. Mine is only allowed off lead in big open fields where I can see if someone is approaching and have enough time to put them back on lead.

GreenlandTheMovie · 27/12/2020 13:14

YANBU I was bitten by a dog while I was out running, badly enough to have to go to hospital, have the wound cleaned out (dog bites have so much bacteria in them, they really sting), 6 stitches and an upset stomach for the next two weeks of antibiotics. I was really lucky it didn't bite through a muscle or a tendon and do permanent damage. And OMG, the bruising!

It wasn't a large dog either, kind of whippet-like, and I was in a public place.

Hence I don't believe those dog owners who say "its fine, he won't bite" as their dog is snapping around my tendons...

LolaSmiles · 27/12/2020 13:21

I don’t think this is to do with the size of dog but to do with how well trained they are
I agree with you. I've had more issues with tiny yappy dogs than bigger dogs, usually because some small dog owners think they don't need to train their little dogs/ think their yapping and ankle snapping is cute. If my dogs behaved the way some small dogs do then I'd be getting it in the neck for being a terrible dog owner (though sadly some people see middle sized dogs minding their own business and still make comments about the 'scary dogs')

It’s not about the size or the dog or the fact it’s off lead. The law is that dogs must be under control
I agree with this.
I'm fed up with 'don't have your dogs off lead'. The issue isn't the size of the dog, or being off lead. The issue is the owner was an arse.

OnceUponAnEnzyme · 27/12/2020 13:22

All dogs need to be under control. The method of control will vary by dog and owner (training, lead) but the end result needs to be the same.

DarkDisquiet · 27/12/2020 13:23

This isn't really a dog or dog owners issue. It's an arsehole people issue.

I have three large, boisterous, people loving dogs, who would mug people very enthusiastically if they were allowed. Hence they are kept on leads around people. They have all attended dog training classes, and done really well, but love people so much that they totally lose their minds around them.

But I was brought up to consider other people, hence they stay on leads, and are not off lead around others.

The issue here isn't dogs as such, or dog owners, it's arsehole people who think their own wants / desires top everyone elses. They turn up in all walks of life. I've had issues with people like this in all ways - car drivers, cyclists, pedestrians. It's entitlement that's the issue.

Original poster
Thewithesarehere · 27/12/2020 13:23

Thank you everyone. DC is taking a shower now. I have just looked at the pictures on the phone. It looks scary. One picture caught everything in one shot.

OP posts:
me2again · 27/12/2020 13:23

Sorry re your child. Sounds awful.
I'm replying after breaking hand in three places yesterday after being completely knocked off feet by collie dog going for ball kicked in our path by a kid. Father seemed oblivious and actually chastised me for saying "fing dog" as I lay sprawled on ground my hand having gone into brick wall.
I'm not a small person and would not have
expected a dog that size to take my legs out from under me.

Dogs should be on leads in public esp on paths shared by walkers and cyclists.
If I were older and frAil I'd be dead or busted hip. If I were on a bike ... I dare to to think. Dangerous animals full stop (the human dog owner I mean).

CardoMondo · 27/12/2020 13:24

“Giant dogs” 🙄 bet it was a bloody Labrador or something

Lazypuppy · 27/12/2020 13:25

Its not about being on or off lead, its whether a dog has been trained properly.

My dog is off lead in parks etc, but ignores most people and just walks past

Original poster
Thewithesarehere · 27/12/2020 13:25

I love dogs and would very much like to get one for DCs once they are old enough. But I certainly would not do what these dog owners have done. My eldest has just reminded me of another similar incident from the last year in the same park and in the same spot. It wasn’t as close as this one. This time, I could never get to my child in time though they were only few meters away.

OP posts:
Original poster
Thewithesarehere · 27/12/2020 13:26

@CardoMondo

“Giant dogs” 🙄 bet it was a bloody Labrador or something
In my eyes, a dog is giant if it is about half the size of the owner and me and nearly as big or even larger than my DC. That is big enough to cause serious injuries.
OP posts:
JustPassingByCarryOn · 27/12/2020 13:27

Can't trust any dog that is off lead in a public path (Dog park, sure). Anything can happen in a blink of an eye. For all I know, the dog right in front of me can be 'well-trained' or not but we'll only find out when something happens.

Once I see a dog off lead, I go the other way/turn back. Not willing to take the risk. Dog owners feel free to have the road all to yourselves and your precious dogs that musn't be inconvenienced.

CardoMondo · 27/12/2020 13:29

So it was a Labrador?

Not that it matters but giant dogs are stuff like Irish Wolfhounds, St Bernards, Mastiffs etc

Original poster
Thewithesarehere · 27/12/2020 13:30

YANBU I was bitten by a dog while I was out running, badly enough to have to go to hospital, have the wound cleaned out (dog bites have so much bacteria in them, they really sting), 6 stitches and an upset stomach for the next two weeks of antibiotics. I was really lucky it didn't bite through a muscle or a tendon and do permanent damage. And OMG, the bruising!
So sorry to hear this. Hope you are better now. I went quite blank and still feel awful though I know I should have seen red and should have done something. I just don’t know what you can do shirt of calling police if the other side refuses to see any sense.

OP posts:
Mincepiehangover · 27/12/2020 13:32

I regularly walk my friend's dog for him and wouldn't dream of letting it off a lead because l don't know it well enough to trust it can't bear the entitlement and don't even get me started on people who don't pick up poo!

me2again · 27/12/2020 13:35

If you have photos report to council. I have, although have far fewer details. But I want them to know and I will follow up with elected reps. Am sick of having to deal with dogs growling at me and running in my path when out I'm jogging etc. The line between in control and leashed is very grey and how does anyone around the dog know. I shall be politely telling people to get their dog away from me - esp when I get back to running. 8 weeks I'm in a plaster cast - can't drive can't work... it's already cost me at least 50 quid + nhs costs. Crazy.

Original poster
Thewithesarehere · 27/12/2020 13:35

@CardoMondo

So it was a Labrador?

Not that it matters but giant dogs are stuff like Irish Wolfhounds, St Bernards, Mastiffs etc

I don’t know which dog it was. Not too familiar with different types.
OP posts:
Honeyroar · 27/12/2020 13:35

I agree. I have dogs. They love children and would probably run after a running child wanting to play. I always grab them and put them on the lead when I see people- whether they’ve got dogs or kids. They’re not bad dogs, and mostly come back when called, but they do get excited to see people (especially my little dog) and nobody wants muddy feet on them.

Honeyroar · 27/12/2020 13:37

A Labrador is a big enough dog around children and quite capable of knocking a child over. My first rescue lab was rehomed to us for that very reason (she wasn’t being nasty, just didn’t realise her own size/strength!).

Charlie63849 · 27/12/2020 13:38

What breed of dog was it?

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