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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

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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mbosnz · 28/12/2020 19:09

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?!

Given how hard it is to get rape prosecuted over here, just how far up the priority list for investigation and prosecution do you think this would be?

LST · 28/12/2020 19:11

@mbosnz it was. Really lovely. It felt all festive and lovely

BasiliskStare · 28/12/2020 19:12

@Thewithesarehere - I see your point - all I was trying to say there are lots of responsible dog owners & there are those who do not teach their children how to approach (well trained with owners ) dogs properly - if you are scared and you think your child is in danger - that is somewhat different . It depends - mostly - just staying still - a well trained dog will not hurt you. If you live in an area where there are untrained dogs - then different point. But also there are areas where dogs are allowed - so just be aware there may be dogs. There are also places where dogs are not allowed so - also an option.
.

Well - I wish you could meet my two - they would cuddle you death rather than any dangerous things, ( & I do understand some people do not like dogs under any circumstances) & I do know there are some irresponsible owners - but by and large - most aren't

All best wishes to you @Thewithesarehere - I hope you find a way to
compromise taking out DC and letting them not be afraid of ( well behaved dogs)

Happy New Year @Thewithesarehere

Blackitty · 28/12/2020 19:13

One of them actually drank water from DD’s bucket.

Oh no, the horror. Your poor DD 😂

Original poster
Thewithesarehere · 28/12/2020 19:13

@Scottishskifun
Pepper can kill a dog in extreme cases. I have just checked this online. This means, for people like me, this is out of question regardless of the outcomes. For me, a stick is the best option as, if used correctly, it can then fend off an aggravated owner too.

OP posts:
Original poster
Thewithesarehere · 28/12/2020 19:15

@Blackitty

One of them actually drank water from DD’s bucket.

Oh no, the horror. Your poor DD 😂

@Blackitty This comment makes you sound like a deeply unpleasant person. I hope you aren’t.
OP posts:
mbosnz · 28/12/2020 19:15

Um, also, that's not a dig at police. I know how under-resourced, and over stretched they are. They have to triage, as much as the NHS does.

Scottishskifun · 28/12/2020 19:16

@mbosnz for firearms offence pretty high up the prosecution scale and minimum sentence is 5 years usually which is more then the minimum sentence for rape.
Rape cases rarely leave a paper trail either.

Like I say you want to break firearms legislation by all means go ahead!

Original poster
Thewithesarehere · 28/12/2020 19:17

Given how hard it is to get rape prosecuted over here, just how far up the priority list for investigation and prosecution do you think this would be?
This is quite true. I posted earlier that it is very easy to find a way around the pepper spray laws. However, it can kill a dog in some cases and that it absolutely not what I would want. All I want is to keep myself and my children safe.

OP posts:
Original poster
Thewithesarehere · 28/12/2020 19:19

I think K9 spray or other similar sprays are a perfectly legal alternative and, when coupled with a strong stick, can provide excellent defender against dog attacks.

OP posts:
mbosnz · 28/12/2020 19:19

LOL, no, I'm not going to break firearms legislation, have neither inferred, nor implied that I would!

I'm quite surprised to find that a firearms violation that didn't involve an actual firearm would be prioritised over a rape, particularly if the parties involved were an aggressive pooch that got sprayed and its aggrieved owner. . . somehow seems a bit distorted, but that's just my individual opinion. I guess it would be up to the officers and prosecutors involved.

Blackitty · 28/12/2020 19:20

@Thewithesarehere

Sorry, just don’t see how it’s a big deal....

Original poster
Thewithesarehere · 28/12/2020 19:20

Defence*

OP posts:
rwalker · 28/12/2020 19:21

Threads like this never fail some hilariuos answers where we should learn to read dogs behaviour and best one about carrying dog treats for them .
I don't particularly like or dislike dogs but don't want it jumping on my child or knocking it over.

I had a fair size one jump up into buggy got it by the collar and launched it. I had absolutely noway of know what was going to happen and wasn't prepared to risk it.
Dog owner kicked off spectacular and genuinely couldn't see the problem as it's " friendly".

Scottishskifun · 28/12/2020 19:29

@Thewithesarehere

I think K9 spray or other similar sprays are a perfectly legal alternative and, when coupled with a strong stick, can provide excellent defender against dog attacks.
You have been told multiple times by dog owners if you hit a dog with a stick because it's running towards you you are highly likely to trigger a aggressive response in a dog that is then defending itself when it wasn't previously being aggressive.

You actually risk being bitten more by doing so and therefore put yourself and children at greater risk. Very different situation from dog baring teeth and showing aggressive behaviour from the get go to a dog running.
You seem to repeatedly fail to take heed of advice given by numerous dog owners.

MyGazeboisLeaking · 28/12/2020 19:31

OP,

A quick click on this thread shows your posted on it 78 times.

*SEVENTY EIGHT.
*
do you think you might need to take a bit of a sense check, rather than googling Dog sprays and god knows what else?

Or, you know, check your traumatised DC maybe?

Yeeeesh.

BasiliskStare · 28/12/2020 19:32

@Blackitty - all best to you and yours for New Year Flowers

babbafett · 28/12/2020 19:33

I'm a dog owner, or rather my dog owns me. I adore her, she is well trained and is highly unlikely to cause harm to anyone but I still put her on an leash when around children or crowded areas. When on walks in our rural area we dont often meet anyone so she runs free but if we do I immediately call her to my side. In the park I judge how busy it is and her humour. Sometimes her recall isnt as good the older she has gotten. Her eyesight and hearing isnt the best now. She may bound towards another family thinking its us and frighten the life out of them (I learned from experience with another dog who did that exact thing) I cannot expect others to have the same trust in her. I can't believe the dog owner you encountered behaved that way OP. I would be apologising profusely and immediately putting my dog on a leash. It's not cruel to expect people to have their dogs under their control at all times in public. Its responsible dog ownership. You are protecting your dog and protecting others.
If someone's dog knocked a child over then they do not have proper control over them. I cant believe the reaction you have gotten from some posters.

Moominmama5 · 28/12/2020 19:40

@Blackitty

One of them actually drank water from DD’s bucket.

Oh no, the horror. Your poor DD 😂

You think this is ok? As she’s holding it when the dog comes to the height of her face? She’s one. It’s not cute.
mbosnz · 28/12/2020 19:41

I'm just wondering whether OP, in her reluctance to take dog owners on this thread's advice, is possibly feeling they're just a teensy bit biased? That maybe they're a tad more worried about the dog's welfare, and a touch more casual about the kids?

BasiliskStare · 28/12/2020 19:47

@Scottishskifun - just so - my dogs were even quiet even when a woman's son tried to poke them in the eyes with a stick because he thought it was funny. We just left. Live and let live I think . If a dog is dangerous then yes yes - report them , if the dog is not being dangerous or annoying - different point. There are ( well where I live ) various areas where dogs are not allowed ( in the park )

MyGazeboisLeaking · 28/12/2020 19:49

I have dogs AND children, @mbosnz .

The OP was quite right in her original posts.. the dog owners who told her to ' put her child on a leash' sound like absolute scum bags.

She's since said her child has been knocked down / attacked by a dig 4 times.

That's quite unlucky / unusual I would think. As is the intensity of Googling sprays / sticks etc. She's becoming a Dog Vigilante!!

No dog should be jumping up at anyone.

Moominmama5 · 28/12/2020 19:51

@LST

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.
Having your dog under control and other people inviting it over is totally different to having dogs bounding over and jumping up at you uninvited. This sounds lovely for those involved a d you sound like a good dog owner. It shouldn’t have to be pointed out to some dog owners that you don’t want them or their dog in your family’s space uninvited pandemic or no pandemic.
LST · 28/12/2020 19:51

@mbosnz I have both. I dont think dogs who would run up to other people, dogs, children, bikes or wildlife should be off a lead. I do think that dogs who are under control off lead should be allowed off lead.

Scottishskifun · 28/12/2020 19:52

@mbosnz

I'm just wondering whether OP, in her reluctance to take dog owners on this thread's advice, is possibly feeling they're just a teensy bit biased? That maybe they're a tad more worried about the dog's welfare, and a touch more casual about the kids?
Dog owners know how to read dogs behaviour and body language they do it 10/20 times a day naturally. They also know what will cause aggression in a dog hitting them with a stick is highly likely to cause this response.

The majority of dogs don't bite unless feeling threatened/frightened you make that dog feel threatened and even the cutest well behaved cockapoo will bite!

Its stated for the protection of the children not being more casual about it!

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