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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 · 28/12/2020 13:48

[quote LST]@yoho no but the owner of the dog is a human and they have as much right to use the space with their well behaved dog as anyone else. [/quote]
You can use the space all you like. But since there is no way you can possibly be a guarantee for your dog, your argument is not valid here.
FWIW, I think the ideas of chilli powder and pepper spray are definitely not something we should consider. A stick might also cause permanent injury though so I am not sure what the solution is. This is probably why we need designated spaces for off lead dog walkers.

OP posts:
LST · 28/12/2020 13:51

@op haha my argument isn't valid. So just yours is then? Wow. Can you guarantee your kids won't run over to my dog? You can't. So your argument is not valid either. Or does it not work like that in your little world?

Scottishskifun · 28/12/2020 13:51

@Yohoheaveho

I have both child and dog neither has greater priority to public spaces Are you really saying that the rights of the dog are equal to the rights of a human??
The owner of a dog has as much right to the public space with a dog.

It appears on here that a lot of parents think they have greater right to a space because they have children which simply isn't the case (and yes as said I have a child).

I have said repeatedly that dogs should be well behave. Thinking one user has greater sense of entitlement is simply not the case and access rights legislation do not say that people with children are at the top!

Original poster
Thewithesarehere · 28/12/2020 13:51

No, she doesn’t jump up. But can you seriously imagine anyone who loves their dog not going ballistic if some arsehole threw chilli powder over it?
You have to simply google it to see the number of dogs that have been PTS because they were considered dangerous after an incident. Since you can’t guarantee and I can’t imagine spraying a poor thing with pepper (when I actually want to use it on the owner!), the only solution is designated spaces for off lead dogs.

OP posts:
EugenesAxe · 28/12/2020 13:52

Fuck sake - 19% YABU. I genuinely don't know where these people get off.

Of course dogs should be on leads in public places. It pisses me off so much that people anthropomorphise dogs to the extent they do, and consider that anyone who can't cope with them or their ways to be 'weird' or the problem.

VinylDetective · 28/12/2020 13:56

@Thewithesarehere

No, she doesn’t jump up. But can you seriously imagine anyone who loves their dog not going ballistic if some arsehole threw chilli powder over it? You have to simply google it to see the number of dogs that have been PTS because they were considered dangerous after an incident. Since you can’t guarantee and I can’t imagine spraying a poor thing with pepper (when I actually want to use it on the owner!), the only solution is designated spaces for off lead dogs.
You keep parroting this sentence about the only solution being designated space, how’s it going to work? Country lanes, fields, woods, a nature reserve - all places used by dog walkers - designated or not? Who gets to decide? Who enforces it?
Kaliorphic · 28/12/2020 13:58

But can you seriously imagine anyone who loves their dog not going ballistic if some arsehole threw chilli powder over it?

Depends really. An unprovoked attack, yes I'd be angry. If my dog had knocked a child over, I feel I'd be more intent on trying to extract myself and dog from the situation rather than starting a fight with the angry parent. Yes carrying chilli powder around to throw over dogs is weird behaviour. But people are weird. But staying out of their way should resolve the problem.

MyGazeboisLeaking · 28/12/2020 14:00

@Thewithesarehere

No, she doesn’t jump up. But can you seriously imagine anyone who loves their dog not going ballistic if some arsehole threw chilli powder over it? You have to simply google it to see the number of dogs that have been PTS because they were considered dangerous after an incident. Since you can’t guarantee and I can’t imagine spraying a poor thing with pepper (when I actually want to use it on the owner!), the only solution is designated spaces for off lead dogs.

Could you 'simply google' and let us know the proportion in relation to the number of dogs in the UK, OP? Might be a more relevant statistic then.

Original poster
Thewithesarehere · 28/12/2020 14:13

Could you 'simply google' and let us know the proportion in relation to the number of dogs in the UK, OP? Might be a more relevant statistic then.
Bloody hell! I have faced four incidents myself? My child is scared and got hurt. I am the one who can’t guarantee their safety in places they should feel safe to run to me. And you are asking me for stats!? Are you for real? How many incidents are too many? Angry

OP posts:
Ritasueandbobtoo9 · 28/12/2020 14:15

Data from the NHS has revealed an 81% increase in the number of people taken to hospital for dog bites between 2005 and 2017, rising from 4,110 to 7,461.
Source:The Guardian,2019.

Original poster
Thewithesarehere · 28/12/2020 14:15

Country lanes, fields, woods, a nature reserve - all places used by dog walkers - designated or not? Who gets to decide? Who enforces it?
This is what I am researching right now. This thread has been very helpful in pointing me to examples of similar laws, ways to enforce them and a number of other things.
Please don’t use derogatory language. I am trying to have a discussion with you and you are using words like ‘parroting’ not to mention other offensive things you have said to other posters. You lose half the argument already when you use words like these.

OP posts:
LST · 28/12/2020 14:16

@VinylDetective it thankfully isn't really enforceable.

Original poster
Thewithesarehere · 28/12/2020 14:18

Thank you very much everyone who has posted kind words. Appreciate the support!

OP posts:
VinylDetective · 28/12/2020 14:18

[quote LST]@VinylDetective it thankfully isn't really enforceable. [/quote]
I know. It’s a completely bonkers idea.

LST · 28/12/2020 14:23

@op if that was a dig it hasnt really worked. I posted kind words about your dc and I support untrained dogs being on a lead. What I don't support is you telling me I should leash my dog who doesn't need to be!

Ritasueandbobtoo9 · 28/12/2020 14:30

7500 people bitten by dogs that needed hospital care - that’s 20 dog attacks per day - so something needs to be done.

LST · 28/12/2020 14:31

@Rita I bet the vast majority of those are on private property

WitchFindersAreEverywhere · 28/12/2020 14:39

But can you seriously imagine anyone who loves their dog not going ballistic if some arsehole threw chilli powder over it?

The question was about a dog attacking. Physically close enough to be a serious threat and displaying behaviour perceived as aggressive.
Of course, it would never happen to a MNetter’s dog.
And yes, I'd expect a dog that attacked me or mine to be destroyed.

User43210 · 28/12/2020 15:04

I'm a dog lover and even I hate big dogs running at me, especially as I'm pregnant, and think that some owners are absolutely useless as they shouldn't let their dog run at strangers and just watch from a distance or a pathetic call back.
I had quite a big dog jump at me a few weeks ago and was petrified I could hurt my baby (history of MCs so extra paranoid) and my poor little dog was trying to protect me and get the other dog off me. I had to shout at the owner to get her to actually come over and do something. I was so mad and actually in tears after.
Whereas my little dog would run at someone, barking, but would never touch them. Due to this, though, I will always grab him or put him on leash if anyone (adult or child) was likely to be ran at, as I know my own dog and his "zone" of chasing someone.

Probably because I'm not a psychopath and I don't think everyone should be ok with a dog near them.

Original poster
Thewithesarehere · 28/12/2020 15:06

But can you seriously imagine anyone who loves their dog not going ballistic if some arsehole threw chilli powder over it?
I have just looked at the ingredients of pepper spray and I don’t think this can cause any lasting damage.
This really is far better than a stick that can severely injure or disable a dog.

OP posts:
Original poster
Thewithesarehere · 28/12/2020 15:09

@User43210

I'm a dog lover and even I hate big dogs running at me, especially as I'm pregnant, and think that some owners are absolutely useless as they shouldn't let their dog run at strangers and just watch from a distance or a pathetic call back. I had quite a big dog jump at me a few weeks ago and was petrified I could hurt my baby (history of MCs so extra paranoid) and my poor little dog was trying to protect me and get the other dog off me. I had to shout at the owner to get her to actually come over and do something. I was so mad and actually in tears after. Whereas my little dog would run at someone, barking, but would never touch them. Due to this, though, I will always grab him or put him on leash if anyone (adult or child) was likely to be ran at, as I know my own dog and his "zone" of chasing someone.

Probably because I'm not a psychopath and I don't think everyone should be ok with a dog near them.

Sorry to read this. This sounds very upsetting. Flowers
OP posts:
Scottishskifun · 28/12/2020 15:28

@Thewithesarehere

But can you seriously imagine anyone who loves their dog not going ballistic if some arsehole threw chilli powder over it? I have just looked at the ingredients of pepper spray and I don’t think this can cause any lasting damage. This really is far better than a stick that can severely injure or disable a dog.
Again you will definitely regret carrying pepper spray as its illegal to do so in the UK for civilians!

Pepper spray is almost completely banned in the UK. Its ownership, carry and use by common citizens is banned under Section 5(1)(b) of the Firearms Act 1968. Believe it or not, in the UK pepper spray / CS Gas is considered a firearm and carries the same legal penalties as carrying a gun does!

User43210 · 28/12/2020 15:54

Thank you @Thewithesarehere it's happened to me a few times whilst pregnant, I think I'm a magnet for them. I'm at the point now where if the owner doesn't do anything, I'll just kick the dog if it jumps at me (again, I'm a dog lover, but it's a bit too much now!!)

I honestly don't mind (beyond worrying about the baby a little) if an owner reacts straight away, stops the dog and apologises, but when they just walk slowly over or stand doing nothing, I get so annoyed!

cantdothisnow1 · 28/12/2020 15:57

@Thewithesarehere

Chilli powder in a film canister.

I have never carried a pepper spray with me. Can this cause any lasting effects to a dog? I hope not because I wouldn’t want that at all. I would just want to buy enough time to get things under control.

You won't get the dog under control by hitting it with a stick.

If a dog approaches then you need to teach your child to slowly turn their back and stand still and ignore it. Don't make eye contact with the dog.

The dog will then realise you don't want to play and will back off.

Hitting the dog is entirely inappropriate.

If the dog is aggressive then you are likely to be attacked by it, bluntly hitting an aggressive dog will put your child at more risk.

Blackitty · 28/12/2020 15:58

The dangerous dogs act isn’t fit for purpose.

My dog has been attacked twice and the dog warden was pretty useless in both cases despite me knowing who the dogs belonged to. There was an incident close to home where an out of control dog attacked and killed a small dog. There were no legal repercussions for the offending owner, they kept their dog and were just told to keep it on a lead in future. Disgusting.

I would like to see better laws to protect both people and their animals.