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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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5
Sunflowergirl1 · 28/12/2020 16:02

@VinylDetective
*
Oh do piss off with this “fur baby” nonsense. They’re dogs. If someone threw chilli powder at my dog, she’d be the least of their worries, it would be me they’d have to deal with and believe me I’m slow to anger but when I do lose it, it’s not nice.*

Sound ignorant and vicious as the dogs being discussed...almost threatening. Sounds like you make a good dog owner

VinylDetective · 28/12/2020 16:08

This reply has been deleted

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Ritasueandbobtoo9 · 28/12/2020 16:26

I think it’s obvious from this thread that there are very unreasonable dog owners.

LST · 28/12/2020 16:28

@rita only ones who have out of control dogs off their lead. I have seen no one on this thread that is actually being unreasonable apart from those calling for 'all' dogs to be on leads at all times

Ritasueandbobtoo9 · 28/12/2020 16:34

It is unreasonable not to accept that dogs shouldn’t be knocking over pregnant women?

mbosnz · 28/12/2020 16:35

Vinyldetective, I think perhaps you are assuming that your righteous wrath at your dog hypothetically, having rushed at a person (which you assure us would never happen, so I don't know why you're getting so wound up about it), being booted, belted, or sprayed, would ensure you would not be similarly victimised if you went in to avenge your beloved pet.

I really wouldn't assume that. The other person would equally be hyped up on adrenalin, and anger, and ready and willing to engage - and that's assuming they're not naturally and more habitually vicious than you, or hyped up on something more. Or that they wouldn't be in a group of like minded yobs.

It's all very well, all this bluster and bravado, but as I was pointing out to my ten foot tall and bullet proof teen, sometimes discretion, and a touch of self preservation, is the better part of valour.

I think it's equally silly and really rather immature to talk about belting and kicking dogs, unless truly feeling there is no other way to seek to defend oneself or another from what you think is a real and present threat, and equally juvenile and silly to talk about getting into a brawl with someone who has been upset by having your dog (which again, you have said would never happen with your dog), engage with them against their will.

LST · 28/12/2020 16:37

@rita where has anyone said that is acceptable?

Dullardmullard · 28/12/2020 16:40

Please do not turn your back on a dog just make like a tree no eye contact and ignore. More so large and giant breeds.

From this thread I see dog lovers actually not liking dogs really.

I have to say I’ve had kids and adults approach my dogs. I’ve had them smack them too unprovoked. Oh and if you use a stick expect to bitten or the dog thinks it’s a game and chews said stick.

mbosnz · 28/12/2020 16:44

Oh, and I totally agree that people, including children should be educated on how to approach dogs, and how to deal with being approached by dogs. However, it's not the responsibility of the person that is suffering an unwanted and possibly frightening, and potentially physically harmful strange dog approaching, to ensure they suffer the least harm and the dog suffers no harm. You take your victim as you find them. If the dog's 'victim', has not been taught, then their natural instincts are likely to be fight or flight, so yes, they might run, inducing the dog to pursue them, or they might attempt to hit the dog to frighten it away, acting as they see it in self defence (or defence of their child).

Whatever harm results, to either person or animal, that is not the responsibility or fault of the person who had engagement with the dog imposed upon them. It's that of the owner, and sadly, it's likely the dog will suffer as a result of their owner's poor effective control of their dog.

Ritasueandbobtoo9 · 28/12/2020 16:49

Why should anyone have to freeze until some dog owner eventually comes over the horizon? It is very selfish and as has already been mentioned it was a playful dog that took my son while foot in his mouth, came from nowhere, bounded through water, started chewing his foot when swimming on a body board. Where were the owners, what realistically could a 5 year old do in that situation? I am sick of being accosted by dogs and owners who think that they are entitled to encroach on other people’s space.

80sMum · 28/12/2020 16:50

It's about time for some new legislation regarding dogs, imo. I'm firmly of the opinion that dogs should be on leads in all public places (such as parks, pavements, streets) and in all private places to which the public has access (such as common land, beaches, public footpaths, bridleways, open access areas).

There is a growing trend for dog parks, fenced in areas where dogs can be safely exercised off lead. A designated dog-walking area such as that should be the only place where it's permitted to let a dog off its lead.

cantdothisnow1 · 28/12/2020 16:52

@Dullardmullard

Please do not turn your back on a dog just make like a tree no eye contact and ignore. More so large and giant breeds.

From this thread I see dog lovers actually not liking dogs really.

I have to say I’ve had kids and adults approach my dogs. I’ve had them smack them too unprovoked. Oh and if you use a stick expect to bitten or the dog thinks it’s a game and chews said stick.

Yes sideways with no eye contact, not entirely back to dog.
LST · 28/12/2020 16:53

@rita were you responding to me? As you didn't answer my question. No one has said having untrained dogs off lead is acceptable. The situation you describe is unacceptable and the owners shouldn't have their dogs off lead in public places as they have no control of their dogs.

LST · 28/12/2020 16:55

@80smum nah. I'm not keeping my dog on because some people can't control theirs. My dog loves the beach. We go in the bleak mid winter when no one hardly goes on their if we are on holiday. It isnt fair they have to be kept on a lead on

cantdothisnow1 · 28/12/2020 16:55

@Ritasueandbobtoo9

Why should anyone have to freeze until some dog owner eventually comes over the horizon? It is very selfish and as has already been mentioned it was a playful dog that took my son while foot in his mouth, came from nowhere, bounded through water, started chewing his foot when swimming on a body board. Where were the owners, what realistically could a 5 year old do in that situation? I am sick of being accosted by dogs and owners who think that they are entitled to encroach on other people’s space.
Of course the dog should be under control but it wasn't. Suggesting the OP should freeze was an alternative to her suggestion that she should hit the dog with a stick which actually is likely to put her at more risk of an attack.
LST · 28/12/2020 16:56

*there.

TheGoogleMum · 28/12/2020 16:58

Yanbu dogs should be on leads unless somewhere like a dog park. I find dogs very intimidating and I know well trained dogs are fine but a lot of them aren't well trained and it isnt always obvious at first!

Dullardmullard · 28/12/2020 17:03

@Ritasueandbobtoo9

Why should anyone have to freeze until some dog owner eventually comes over the horizon? It is very selfish and as has already been mentioned it was a playful dog that took my son while foot in his mouth, came from nowhere, bounded through water, started chewing his foot when swimming on a body board. Where were the owners, what realistically could a 5 year old do in that situation? I am sick of being accosted by dogs and owners who think that they are entitled to encroach on other people’s space.
Because it’s safer for you if frightened of dogs.
Dullardmullard · 28/12/2020 17:05

I’m sick of humans approaching my dogs to so where is the happy medium. In folks eyes my well trained dogs would be banned everywhere.

GrumpyMiddleAgedWoman · 28/12/2020 17:07

As for the vote on this thread I've voted YABU not for the thread title (I've no argument with that) but because of OP's subsequent insistence that ALL dogs should be on the lead in ALL places to which the public has access unless they're designated for off-lead dogs.

I was out with one of my dogs this afternoon. I saw a pair of walkers approaching, called her in, put her in an off-lead heel, went past the walkers, released her, and she ran on ahead.

I don't need or want a half-acre of off-lead dog park for a dog like that. I object to all dog owners being dumped in the same box, and I resent the owners of OOC dogs because they cause so much shit for the rest of us. But I also resent people like OP who want to restrict responsible dog owners just as much as the dickheads.

mbosnz · 28/12/2020 17:09

Dullardmullard, I think you're entirely within your rights to tell people to back the fuck away from the dog. They shouldn't be approaching your dog without permission or invitation any more than the dog should be approaching people without their permission or invitation.

(Having said that, I was a bit startled when a dog walked briskly into my crotch yesterday, apparently the poor thing was blind and a bit deaf, and it was quite firm that this was literally the one true path - it's owner had been engrossed in conversation and hadn't realised that Tiddles had progressed without her. . . poor old Tiddles! You gotta make an exception there, right?!)

ItwasmeIswear · 28/12/2020 17:29

You are not being unreasonable at all. The same happened to my son when he was younger with a Rottweiler. The dog chased him on a path in the park, jumped on his back and he fell straight on his face. There was blood everywhere, he still has a scar on his nose years later.

The owner hardly apologised and said his dog was just being friendly and loved kids. This may well have been but it shouldn't have been off its lead, I was more worried about my son than to argue and the man just walked off with his dog. I do blame the stupid owner though and not the dog.

My son has had a fear of dogs ever since, big and small.
Hope your DC is ok OP 💐

Blackitty · 28/12/2020 17:34

On a personal note, I was out walking today and two flat coat retrievers came bounding up to me. I am 31 week pregnant. They were so happy and friendly, one of them jumped up so high it’s paws were literally on my shoulders while it licked my face. I absolutely loved it and it made my day! My jacket got abit muddy but nothing a damp cloth didn’t fix. I appreciate it everyone is like me though.

Blackitty · 28/12/2020 17:35

I love giving dogs fuss if they come up to me.

Blackitty · 28/12/2020 17:39

I appreciate not everyone is like me*