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?

OP, why don’t you just teach your dc not to run if approaches by a dog? Problem solved.
I have taught them to not run, touch, feed or approach other people’s pets or any animal. I wrote upthread that we live rurally and my DCs are quite familiar with animals and even know not to talk or shout loudly when we pass horses. We don’t feed ducks, and have always asked for permission from a distance when they really like a dog and want to stop.
In this incidence, they were running to me and the dog came from behind so they had no idea it was behind them until it touched them. Even I didn’t know it was behind them as it was at such a distance I didn’t even consider it a threat and was taking pictures when I saw it.

It is not reasonable for dog owners to allow their dogs to go up to random people.

@Ritasueandbobtoo9

It is not reasonable for dog owners to allow their dogs to go up to random people.

Agreed but is it reasonable to hit and kick a dog which does so?

Actually @VinylDetective that's not true. Dog only has to "worry" livestock. That includes trying to play with a flock of sheep (he's only being friendly!) and causing them stress. Dog doesnt have to be aggressive to cause damage.

I've not read the whole thread op but have you reported this to the police? Even if a prosecution may be difficult it is important for the problem to be recorded.

You could also consider civil proceedings if you have evidence and have come to harm.

A sheep can have a miscarriage just from being chased. These incidents also happen on private land. That’s why there are specific laws in place for livestock. Although every farmer I know, and I know a fair few, have their own dogs and would be very hesitant to shoot another dog even if the law permits.

@Floatyboat

I've not read the whole thread op but have you reported this to the police? Even if a prosecution may be difficult it is important for the problem to be recorded.

You could also consider civil proceedings if you have evidence and have come to harm.

No she won’t get a prosecution her child wasn’t attacked. It was an accident.

Plus civil proceedings cost money any lawyer will tell her not too because it won’t go anywhere.

Definition of worrying sheep depends on the farmer.

Mine, if a dog is in field it’s shot regardless.

My farmer knows me as we’ve returned his sheep to him as theyre buggers for thinking the grass is greener my side. Even a double fence doesn’t stop one or two.

I totally understand how much people love their dogs, and while I’m not a dog owner myself, I get it. But I just don’t think a lot of dog owners realise how much their dogs can impact others. My 5 year old DS has developed what I can only describe as a dog phobia. He’s a sensitive child, but he used to love dogs. However there have been a number of incidents that have left him terrified of them. A sandwich snatched out of his hand while we tried to have a picnic in our local park. Watching his 2 year old cousin be knocked over and her coat ripped off her by a huge dog (owners nowhere to be seen, turned up a couple of minutes later and totally unconcerned when confronted with 2 screaming children). Dogs jumping up at him and nearly knocking him over on a number of occasions.

All this has left us with very few options to get outside on a weekend. We can no longer enjoy the huge, beautiful park on our doorstep as DS wants to go home as soon as get there. All the local walks near us have loads of dogs off the lead. And with other options such as soft play closed (tier 3) it’s having a really big impact on our weekends.

We know we need to work on the phobia with him and have spent lots of time explaining how dogs are part of people’s families, they won’t hurt him, to stand still rather than run away. But all of that goes out of the window when a dog comes towards him, he is inconsolable. And as much as I try to reassure him, which I do, there’s a small part of me thinking that I don’t know what these dogs are like, and worrying that one of them might give him a nip, especially when I know that the way he acts around dogs is making things worse.

We’ve also recently had 2 incidents that really scared me. The first was when he had climbed up a bank at our local park and was running back down, abs a dog started chasing him. He panicked and started to fall, and I had to try to break his fall whilst carrying my baby. On another occasion we were at a local beauty spot which had some rocks with a lovely view (but a big drop). He asked DH if he could have a look, and a dog ran up to them both and I honestly thought he was going to go over the edge. It made me feel physically sick. Luckily DH grabbed him (we obviously would only let him up there closely supervised) but my paranoid mum brain was already going into overdrive! And to me this is a real threat, not necessarily what the dog will do, but him injuring himself whilst panicking about a dog that isn’t under control.

Some dog owners are brilliant, and I could kiss the ones who note his reaction when they see him coming and immediately leash their dog. They have no idea how much they are helping us and how grateful we are. But unfortunately in my experience an equal number seem very unsympathetic, or worse, are not even in close proximity to their dog.

@Colinthedog

I totally understand how much people love their dogs, and while I’m not a dog owner myself, I get it. But I just don’t think a lot of dog owners realise how much their dogs can impact others. My 5 year old DS has developed what I can only describe as a dog phobia. He’s a sensitive child, but he used to love dogs. However there have been a number of incidents that have left him terrified of them. A sandwich snatched out of his hand while we tried to have a picnic in our local park. Watching his 2 year old cousin be knocked over and her coat ripped off her by a huge dog (owners nowhere to be seen, turned up a couple of minutes later and totally unconcerned when confronted with 2 screaming children). Dogs jumping up at him and nearly knocking him over on a number of occasions.

All this has left us with very few options to get outside on a weekend. We can no longer enjoy the huge, beautiful park on our doorstep as DS wants to go home as soon as get there. All the local walks near us have loads of dogs off the lead. And with other options such as soft play closed (tier 3) it’s having a really big impact on our weekends.

We know we need to work on the phobia with him and have spent lots of time explaining how dogs are part of people’s families, they won’t hurt him, to stand still rather than run away. But all of that goes out of the window when a dog comes towards him, he is inconsolable. And as much as I try to reassure him, which I do, there’s a small part of me thinking that I don’t know what these dogs are like, and worrying that one of them might give him a nip, especially when I know that the way he acts around dogs is making things worse.

We’ve also recently had 2 incidents that really scared me. The first was when he had climbed up a bank at our local park and was running back down, abs a dog started chasing him. He panicked and started to fall, and I had to try to break his fall whilst carrying my baby. On another occasion we were at a local beauty spot which had some rocks with a lovely view (but a big drop). He asked DH if he could have a look, and a dog ran up to them both and I honestly thought he was going to go over the edge. It made me feel physically sick. Luckily DH grabbed him (we obviously would only let him up there closely supervised) but my paranoid mum brain was already going into overdrive! And to me this is a real threat, not necessarily what the dog will do, but him injuring himself whilst panicking about a dog that isn’t under control.

Some dog owners are brilliant, and I could kiss the ones who note his reaction when they see him coming and immediately leash their dog. They have no idea how much they are helping us and how grateful we are. But unfortunately in my experience an equal number seem very unsympathetic, or worse, are not even in close proximity to their dog.

I strongly believe that there should be areas that are dog free and that public parks ought to have times within which dogs should be kept on a lead to prevent this situation.

My family has always kept dogs. Despite that I have a niece who is petrified of dogs, there isn't actually a reason for this but her fear is genuine and should be respected. I always keep my dog on her lead when we are with my niece.

@cantdothisnow1 Thank you for that. I genuinely like dogs, and if I had a well behaved one I’m sure I would want to let him/her off the lead as well. I see both sides.

But I struggle to accept that I live in such a beautiful part of the country and yet can’t really enjoy the gorgeous places on my doorstep. Especially with a baby and a nap schedule that makes going further afield more tricky at the moment. And this is a recent thing, directly connected to the incidents I mentioned.

So I completely agree, there needs to be a balanced solution that works for the majority. Certain times of day or parts of the park where dogs need to be on a lead seems to suit everyone. I don’t think its asking too much.

It's fine to suggest some areas should be dog free or dogs on lead only. But all areas need plenty of space for dogs to be properly exercised off-lead. There is no way anything but the smallest dog can get a decent amount of exercise on-lead.

cantdothisnow1

I would never advocate hurting any animal so I don’t know why this comment is directed at me. All I ask is that dog owners understand and empathise that other people do not want to be hurt, frightened, knocked over, have their food stolen, breathed on or be licked by an out of control animal. I am allergic to dogs but when I have said “please can you call your dog” as it is licking me, I had the “oh but it is friendly”. Why should I have to explain that I’m allergic to dogs? It is clear that I am not making any attempts at befriending their dog. My face is clearly not looking pleased about the dog being near me so than I have to say I’m allergic and even then sometimes dog owners will still really not get the message that the dog needs to be taken away. Another time my daughter and I were in a beauty spot and two huge dogs came along and just bounded up to us and we stood still but they were licking us. When I asked the two men (many metres away) to call their dogs they said “you shouldn’t be out” and refused to call their dogs away until they had walked slowly past. I just find it bewildering that people think it’s okay to let their dogs encroach on other peoples space in such a way. Is it some weird power play? Some need to have control over other people? Why are some people so oblivious to others?

@Floatyboat

I've not read the whole thread op but have you reported this to the police? Even if a prosecution may be difficult it is important for the problem to be recorded.

You could also consider civil proceedings if you have evidence and have come to harm.

I am writing to the local police, council, local dog warden, my neighbourhood watch and the local MPs. I have got a clear visual of the dog but that was only because it came in the view at the exact moment I took the picture. didn’t even think of taking a picture of the owner but do regret this. A number of people have posted about body cams so that is probably a sensible thing to do in future. This thread has been quite useful in collecting information.

OP clearly has a lot of time on her hands. She has even commented on this thread 129 times. It clearly upset you but I think it’s time to move on. No harm done.

@Shadow21

OP clearly has a lot of time on her hands. She has even commented on this thread 129 times. It clearly upset you but I think it’s time to move on. No harm done.

I do have time on my hands these days (holidays) and I was also quite upset. This forum has defined me in many ways so it is my go-to place for anything and everything now. I find it quite difficult to copy and paste each post or tag each poster I want to respond to in one long post. So I end up replying individually which increases the posts. 🤷🏻‍♀️

It clearly has caused harm though.

@Ritasueandbobtoo9

It clearly has caused harm though.

In one of the incidents, this off lead dog chewed up my hat as I was lying down on my picnic blanket and my children were playing in front of me. I thought it’s one of DCs trying to get my attention. The reason I didn’t see this dog coming was because the hat was on my face 🤮 .

@Thewithesarehere me too - and I am and will avail myself of legal routes. I have time on one hand now I can't drive, work etc and am being cared for by my child who witnessed my assault by dog. I see plastic surgeons tomorrow so no need to explain why you feel like following this up some mere days after incident. All best.

@MiddlesexGirl Honestly, the park near my house is one of the largest in the UK. Absolutely loads of space to have large areas for dogs to run off the lead, and large areas for my kids to burn off energy as well!

Thewithesarehere Grim, just grim.

Just posted on a similar thread, too many issues arising from uncontrolled dogs, body cams are a key.

We were walking our dogs(big malumutes) on a country road, both on leads, when about 100m ahead an off lead dog appeared at the end of a drive with owner.

Dog(medium terrier) saw us and ran at us, barking and snapping .
It went for our female, who just pinned it down and vernally warned it. It then got free and went for our male, who also warned it, it then bit our male, which he retaliated and bit it hard, terrier bleeding and yelping. Owner eventually arrives and gets control of his dog, but has the cheek to blame us? Husband is a big guy and tells him to calm down, wind his neck in and learn to control his dog as people are entitled to be in public without being attacked by uncontrolled dogs.

Few days later police at our door, terrier owner filed a complaint that all 3 dogs were on a lead and ours attacked his, and he got bit trying to save his dog from ours, police said they only attend as a person was bit. Police were looking too take our dogs away, with possibility of being pts.

We showed the police the body cam footage, clearly showing off lead dog going for our on lead dogs and owner never near our dogs at all. Police apologised, said no further action and took copy of video.

Police later followed up, irresponsible owner issued with caution for lying to police and told to keep his dog on a lead in public in future.

If we hadn't of had camera, our dogs could of been seized down put to sleep because of a lying irresponsible owner.
Owner of terrier now controls his dog.

I urge responsible owners to get a body cam.

[quote me2again]@Thewithesarehere me too - and I am and will avail myself of legal routes. I have time on one hand now I can't drive, work etc and am being cared for by my child who witnessed my assault by dog. I see plastic surgeons tomorrow so no need to explain why you feel like following this up some mere days after incident. All best. [/quote]
This sounds awful. I really hope you find some sort of a solution and please do post back here the outcomes because it is very helpful to share experiences and learn from each other this way. This thread has given me more information in three days on dogs, related laws and reasonable/unreasonable dog owners than I ever had before. So it will be great to hear how it goes for you. All the best!

This disgusts me, to the point where I have anxiety at going to the park.

the dogs (usually filthy covered in mud and wet) come over and try to jump on me or my 22 month old.

When I point “no” or “down” to their dog they usually either take offence or say oh it won’t bite as if that’s what I’m scared of. I generally just don’t want muddy wet animals jumping on us or dropping smelly balls at our feet.

I don’t want to be constantly on the look out for running, jumping or sniffing dogs. Keep your dog on a lead unless your on private property no matter what size!!!

@Whammyyammy

Just posted on a similar thread, too many issues arising from uncontrolled dogs, body cams are a key.

We were walking our dogs(big malumutes) on a country road, both on leads, when about 100m ahead an off lead dog appeared at the end of a drive with owner.

Dog(medium terrier) saw us and ran at us, barking and snapping .
It went for our female, who just pinned it down and vernally warned it. It then got free and went for our male, who also warned it, it then bit our male, which he retaliated and bit it hard, terrier bleeding and yelping. Owner eventually arrives and gets control of his dog, but has the cheek to blame us? Husband is a big guy and tells him to calm down, wind his neck in and learn to control his dog as people are entitled to be in public without being attacked by uncontrolled dogs.

Few days later police at our door, terrier owner filed a complaint that all 3 dogs were on a lead and ours attacked his, and he got bit trying to save his dog from ours, police said they only attend as a person was bit. Police were looking too take our dogs away, with possibility of being pts.

We showed the police the body cam footage, clearly showing off lead dog going for our on lead dogs and owner never near our dogs at all. Police apologised, said no further action and took copy of video.

Police later followed up, irresponsible owner issued with caution for lying to police and told to keep his dog on a lead in public in future.

If we hadn't of had camera, our dogs could of been seized down put to sleep because of a lying irresponsible owner.
Owner of terrier now controls his dog.

I urge responsible owners to get a body cam.

These are the sort of people who shouldn’t be trusted with such beautiful animals. The poor dog! Body cam is on my list now. Thank you fir this. The other side of the coin is that the picture is a constant reminder to me of what could have happened in that split second and what I thought was happening in that moment. It’s terrifying to just look at it.