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?

I think if your AIBU question had been -

Am I being unreasonable to leave the house with deterrent spray and a stick to hit a dog with if it came too close to me for my or my kids for my liking?

You'd have much less than an 82 % response in agreement with you OP.

@Swaddlemeinplants lol - I’m not sure I have the mental capacity if it’s nuts!

Honestly, would love my child to like dogs as I’ve always wanted one. Just we go two steps forward, three steps back when we have a bad day like today! Some of the dogs were completely out of control, especially annoying when we specifically went somewhere that said “keep dogs on leads” and still we couldn’t get away from them!

It didn’t help that the park was absolutely packed cos we are tier 4 and everything is closed!

@crazycatlady no one has an issue with the argument that uncontrolled dogs should be on leads. It's the calling for all dogs to be on leads anywhere public and the sheer nutcase violence

@Swaddlemeinplants I really don’t think hitting a dog is the option - surely that would just provoke a aggressive reaction from the dog and make things worse. We try to teach our son not to run (but it’s a natural reaction for him) I just grab him so he stays still, shout for the owner to call their dog away (normally met with “he won’t hurt” or “he is just being friendly”) and I try to put myself between myself and the dog. It would be nice to know someone with a super calm small dog who we could “introduce” to our son, but with lockdown that’s not really appropriate

@Crazycatlady83 this is exactly what you should do and yep your right unfortunately the original poster doesn't seem to get this.

My friends autistic son is the same the only dog he likes is ours she is a chilled out greyhound he has even walked her under close supervision. A confident greyhound although big is very chilled.

It’s only about four people now who are being al militant and twisting everyone’s words. Don’t know what they have to worry about if their dogs are as well-behaved as they claim.
I am fully within my legal rights to defend my DC and have shared the definition of too close, legally allowed stuff to help parents who have faced similar episodes as mine.
Just because they don’t like al dogs to be on leads in public spaces, especially parks with children, they are constantly posting blatantly incorrect stuff to get this thread deleted.
None of what I have posted is remotely illegal/unethical and I have even received DMs to say how others are grateful for my support.

you really have nothing to worry about if you have as good a dog as you say you have (and I am taking your word for it!).

I really don’t think hitting a dog is the option - surely that would just provoke a aggressive reaction from the dog and make things worse
I agree, I just meant that if a dog was full on attacking - growling, snarling, snapping etc I can understand people hitting out in response, not saying it’s correct, just that I understand.

The thread largely went wild after some posters suggested using pepper spray and legal sprays like k9 and the like, throwing stones at dogs, kicking dogs and using sticks to hit them if they were ‘too close’, not behaving aggressively, just ‘too close’ with the OP insisting she would carry spray and a stick from now on to use if dogs came near and claimed her DH would kick them if they approached.

@Crazycatlady83
Please RTFT to see my response to points you have raised. I have already answered this but nope!

what blatantly incorrect stuff has been posted OP?

I have something to worry about though if people like you call for all dogs to be on a lead though havent I? Because that will affect both me and my dog. The current laws need to be properly enforced.

@Swaddlemeinplants

I really don’t think hitting a dog is the option - surely that would just provoke a aggressive reaction from the dog and make things worse I agree, I just meant that if a dog was full on attacking - growling, snarling, snapping etc I can understand people hitting out in response, not saying it’s correct, just that I understand.

The thread largely went wild after some posters suggested using pepper spray and legal sprays like k9 and the like, throwing stones at dogs, kicking dogs and using sticks to hit them if they were ‘too close’, not behaving aggressively, just ‘too close’ with the OP insisting she would carry spray and a stick from now on to use if dogs came near and claimed her DH would kick them if they approached.

show me just one of my posts where I said I would I spray any approaching dog. This is why I am calling you militant. @Crazycatlady83 I have repeatedly said that biting/chewing/jumping up and running over/eating my food and clothes is my definition of too close. That is exactly what an out of control dog is and it’s my DC that is hurt. Someone posted upthread that their father was rebuked on kicking a dog from chewing their sister in a push chair! This is the kicking DH talked of and any sane parent would do it. But hey ho!

@Thewithesarehere
I will read the thread, clearly my contribution hasn’t helped. I do sympathise. It’s scary when a dog, you don’t know gets within a distance that you don’t feel safe (and I then have to deal with the aftermath of a very scared child who won’t be reasoned with because of his disabilities) Maybe take @Scottishskifun advice on how to deal with the dogs if they get too close before harming the animal (and by the way, I don’t blame the dog in the slightest - it’s the owners responsibility to ensure that it controls their pet)

Sorry, just read you didn’t advocate hitting out at the dog - my fault, I’ll leave now .....

It’s only about four people now who are being al militant and twisting everyone’s words. Don’t know what they have to worry about if their dogs are as well-behaved as they claim
I think people are more pissed at the recommendation to assault friendly dogs that dare come near you tbh.

I am fully within my legal rights to defend my DC
To a point, the law is really clear that you are not allowed to hurt or frighten dogs unless in exceptional self defence purposes and no, a dog running and knocking into you does not count.
You don’t have to believe it but the police will not do much about a dog accidentally running into a child and it is you who will be in trouble if you injure behave violently to a dog

have shared the definition of too close
There’s no legal definition so it’s your own opinion.

Just because they don’t like all dogs to be on leads in public spaces, especially parks with children, they are constantly posting blatantly incorrect stuff to get this thread deleted
No one agreed with the actions of the dog owner in your OP.
No one agreed dogs should be harassing people.
And yes, please god let it be deleted 🙏

None of what I have posted is remotely illegal/unethical
Violently assaulting animals is unethical and carrying extending sticks to be used as weapons and pepper spray as advised by others is illegal.

Ihave even received DMs to say how others are grateful for my support
Disturbing.

you really have nothing to worry about if you have as good a dog as you say you have (and I am taking your word for it!).

In this latest incidence, I froze and then shouted at the top of my voice. Not my best moment but it is apparently me that needs to go to dog rescue centres to get trained, the law doesn’t need changing (like many other countries have done it).
A large number of posters have shared their own, truly horrific experiences. But nope!

There is a reason for swamping this thread. We have shared enough resources/legalities here to put Rodger do owners on their toes and potentially turn the table. I know my rights now, compared with day before yesterday. This is what they worry about. They don’t worry about police which is, quite smugly posted by some here, understaffed no need to worry. Their sole worry is the parent who would see red if their child gets hurt and they know it.

That should read *rogue dog owners.

@Crazycatlady83

Sorry, just read you didn’t advocate hitting out at the dog - my fault, I’ll leave now .....

Many thanks!

I know my rights now
You think you do but I suspect you’ll be in for a rude awakening if/when you bother our police who frankly have far more serious, actual crimes to attend to.
And I wasn’t being smug when taking about being understaffed, I am absolutely appalled at the level of cuts the police service has had and have the utmost respect for them.

Well, yes, i would be alarmed if I saw a dog being attacked by a human being with a stick or stones because it 'got too close' to them.

I would not consider it to be a proportionate response.

I have EVERY sympathy for you and your child for the incident and particularly for the way you were spoken too, but that does not justify violence towards an animal.

If that makes me 'militant' then so be it.

Well - I knew I should not have joined this thread - & won't do another but , and I think gavel
( I am a dog owner - 2 dogs - both had training )

1. keep your dog on a lead where it is required - so pavements and where in parks / other public spaces you are required to

2) If you see someone nervous , make the lead shorter ( most nice dog owners do this)

So I think most dog owners do this
But
&
3) Don't let your children poke sticks into my dog's eyes if they think it could be funny - it isn't funny for the dog
4) Don't come and ask to pat a dog ( in a dog allowed area and then scream your head off - it scares the dogs - let alone me )

I know this is a perennial MN thing - but I do think we can all live in harmony

That said - I will not agree with anyone who has badly bred dog who is a nuisance. I feel sorry for those dogs. That said - there are so many well behaved dogs who should not be castigated for running around where they are allowed to .

Unless anyone wants a world without dogs - then I think learn to live with well behaved dogs ( phobias aside )

OK - there you go

Happy New Year to All

Just come back from yet another walk where my off lead dog and the general public have remained unscathed.

Farmers are allowed to shoot a dog if they consider it poses a threat to their livestock.

They’re not. They’re allowed to shoot a dog if it attacks their livestock. Big, big difference.

Farmers can shoot a dog "worrying" livestock, which covers both biting and chasing.

Given the number of dog attacks on sheep we've had round here recently, I don't think the local farmers would hesitate.

There are special laws in place for livestock.

OP, why don’t you just teach your dc not to run if approaches by a dog? Problem solved.

@GrumpyMiddleAgedWoman

Farmers can shoot a dog "worrying" livestock, which covers both biting and chasing.

Given the number of dog attacks on sheep we've had round here recently, I don't think the local farmers would hesitate.

This is how I interpreted it. In the farms we visit with DCs, there is no way a farmer can stop or chase a dog in time.