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

[Thewithesarehere]

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?

Why on earth would a random dog want to attack a random person anyway? This is so silly. I bet you the majority of dog bites that happen outside the home happen when a dog attacks another dog and the owners intervene.

@mbosnz

LOL Yohoheaveho, I'd avoid it too, because I don't want to hurt animals. However, if I genuinely feel that I'm going to be attacked, or my child is going to be attacked (and I'm not particularly neurotic about these things), then I'm going to be prepared to use whatever's at hand. Or foot, so to speak. And as I said, if I'm at that point, I'm going to be pretty bloody hyped up and aggro myself, so I'm not going to be some timid little country mouse apologising for defending myself against what I genuinely believed to be a real threat.

This. Not many dog owners are going to be more aggravated than a parent who has just seen red. The dog owner in my case most certainly wasn’t strong enough to attack me.

Why on earth would a random dog want to attack a random person anyway?
ROFL

I don't know. You'd have to ask that specific random dog, I guess. . . and I would have thought that you'd be very upset about dogs attacking other dogs blackitty, that's not okay, surely? Wouldn't you expect their owners to intervene, fond as they are of their dear wee doggy?

@Thewithesarehere

Also, it is most definitely worth carrying it, considering the alternative.

Are you seriously going to carry pepper spray? Despite being told twice its illegal and is considered under the Firearms Act?!

You really are naive to think in the case of you pepper spraying a dog that has come close to you that it will be the dog owner charged when you would be breaking a Firearms law! But by all means carry on and I hope you have a good solicitor on standby!

Of course, there are alternatives to pepper spray. Citrus spray, for example.

@mbosnz

Of course, there are alternatives to pepper spray. Citrus spray, for example.

is there some sort of 'puppy-love-oxytocin' equivalent spray that will turn a rampaging dog into a friendly submissive one?

@mbosnz

I don't know. You'd have to ask that specific random dog, I guess. . . and I would have thought that you'd be very upset about dogs attacking other dogs blackitty, that's not okay, surely? Wouldn't you expect their owners to intervene, fond as they are of their dear wee doggy?

Ofcourse it’s not okay. It’s can be extremely traumatic. It’s one of the reasons I would support a mandatory leash law. I was just pointing out that it’s not the same as a random doggy bounding to a stranger with the intention of mauling. Why would any dog do that unless provoked? The cases where dogs exhibit indiscriminate aggression towards humans are rare, and often the result of trauma (like being abused) or a neurological problem.

@mbosnz

Of course, there are alternatives to pepper spray. Citrus spray, for example.

Ah thanks for this! This thread is a gem!

www.police-supplies.co.uk/k917-dog-deterrent-spray

Here is your answer.

I found that one cantdothisnow1 - I was wondering if you have to be a serving officer to purchase it, lol.

@mbosnz

I found that one cantdothisnow1 - I was wondering if you have to be a serving officer to purchase it, lol.

I don't think so, open for anyone to purchase, the reviews look good.

Interesting!

The cases where dogs exhibit indiscriminate aggression towards humans are rare, and often the result of trauma (like being abused) or a neurological problem.

Sadly, in such cases, the victim is unlikely to be in a position to inquire into the root cause of why they are being attacked, or to take this into account when responding.

@mbosnz

The cases where dogs exhibit indiscriminate aggression towards humans are rare, and often the result of trauma (like being abused) or a neurological problem.

Sadly, in such cases, the victim is unlikely to be in a position to inquire into the root cause of why they are being attacked, or to take this into account when responding.

The point I was making is that unprovoked dog attacks on people are so rare, it’s unreasonable to assume a dog is going to attack you.

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/decoding-your-pet/201412/dogs-dont-bite-out-the-blue%3famp

@Scottishskifun
I am not sure you get my point. The law goes both ways so people can certainly take a chance. And if you know the chemistry of it, it will be very hard to prove in a court that you were carrying an actual pepper spray.
Regardless, a hard stick is probably the easiest and most effective thing in my opinion though it might cause the dog irreparable injuries, which is such an undesirable outcome.

@cantdothisnow1

www.police-supplies.co.uk/k917-dog-deterrent-spray

Here is your answer.

Brilliant! Thanks!!

‘ The purpose of aggression is to put distance between the aggressor and his target (“I can’t easily get away from you, so you’d better get away from me”). It’s safe to assume, then, that most dog bites of people are based on defending themselves (fear) or are about the resources they care about (food, bed, human).’

If a dog is running towards you or jumping up at you, this is not a precursor to aggression for goodness sake.

The point I was making is that unprovoked dog attacks on people are so rare, it’s unreasonable to assume a dog is going to attack you.

So, assume the best? Assume that, statistically speaking, that dog that seems to be looking at your two year old like a marrow bone, and advancing on them with intent, is unlikely to be going to attack them, so that's alright then?

That's not really the way it works, does it? Just because statistically speaking you are unlikely to be attacked by a random dog, doesn't mean that if you are in a situation where you are feeling genuinely threatened by a random dog, you should assume that it's not. You're certainly not going to do that if you feel your baby is in danger.

I heard from an officer involved in the aftermath of a disaster, that the biggest mistake they made in preparing for the big one, was assuming the best possible scenario would be what they got. What they learned from that, was that you prepare for the worst, and hope for the best.

Just got back from a lovely walk with my dog on a field full of snow and kids playing. He was off lead and playing with his ball completely not bothered by anyone or anything else. A family even came up and asked if their dc could stroke him when we were on our way back.

[quote Thewithesarehere]@Scottishskifun
I am not sure you get my point. The law goes both ways so people can certainly take a chance. And if you know the chemistry of it, it will be very hard to prove in a court that you were carrying an actual pepper spray.
Regardless, a hard stick is probably the easiest and most effective thing in my opinion though it might cause the dog irreparable injuries, which is such an undesirable outcome.[/quote]
Except its not difficult to prove is it?! As the dog owner would take the dog to the vet who would be able to testify as an expert witness, the police would access your computer/bank statements and purchases and be able to prove extremely easily and quickly that you had purchased, were in possession of and had applied an illegal product under the Firearms Act or do you not get how police investigations work and court evidence works?!

Yes law on both goes both ways but in terms of the scale of minimum custodial sentences out of control dog way way down the scale in comparison to fire arms offence.

But by all means you carry on if you think it would be difficult to prove..... 🙄

Yanbu. I wish all dogs were on leads. We had 3 dogs come right up to us on the beach today. One of them actually drank water from DD’s bucket. Not one person offered an apology and looked shocked I said anything to them, pisses me right off.

Just got back from a lovely walk with my dog on a field full of snow and kids playing. He was off lead and playing with his ball completely not bothered by anyone or anything else. A family even came up and asked if their dc could stroke him when we were on our way back.

Lovely!

[quote Blackitty]www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/decoding-your-pet/201412/dogs-dont-bite-out-the-blue%3famp[/quote]
It says ‘decoding your pet’. Doesn’t say ‘decoding other people’s pets when they are running at your child at break neck speed to run them over’.
This is getting ridiculous.