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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:
Thread gallery
5
FoxinaScarf · 29/12/2020 22:26

Really, in this time of climate emergency, no one should be getting dogs to keep as pets anyway as they have such a high carbon paw print. They might be nice but they are something that is a luxury rather than essential (With the exception of assistance dogs of course).

DrCoconut · 29/12/2020 22:32

We had a dog run up and snatch DS's food from his hand during a picnic. The owner didn't apologise and DS was really upset. Dogs should be on leads in public places. And the penalty for fouling should be much harsher too. I'm sick of finding dog poo all over the paths locally and hidden in the grass in the park.

Eckhart · 29/12/2020 22:37

@BaddestDaughter

I do find it quite incredible that culturally we accept having people's fetishistic anthropomorphic live toys running around freely regardless of the harm they cause.

All of this talk about "not all owners are like this" misses the point. You don't know who is and there's no nuanced way of controlling it so just make them keep their fur tropies on leads at all times.

And all humans should be kept in prison because some are murderers and there's no way of knowing who.
Whammyyammy · 29/12/2020 22:39

I just don't see why people can't control their dogs????
The old excuse that walking on leads doesn't give then correct exercise is rubbish, take them on a long walk or pay to use an off lead secure area.
If you cannot be responsible, don't own a dog.

LST · 29/12/2020 22:42

@whammyyammy I am responsible. I put a lot into getting my dogs recall as good as it is. I have a collie no amount of lead walking would be enough for him. I don't drive so I cant pay to go to a field. So I will continue to off lead walk my dog. Who is under control due to me being a responsible owner.

Whammyyammy · 29/12/2020 22:43

I'll just leave this here again....
Out of control
Your dog is considered dangerously out of control if it:
Injures someone
makes someone worried that it might injure them.

www.gov.uk/control-dog-public

LST · 29/12/2020 22:45

I am well aware of the law. Why are you telling me that? My dog doesn't go near anyone? I dont let him approach anyone. Not that he would because his focus is always on me.

Shadow21 · 29/12/2020 22:45

@FoxinaScarf

Really, in this time of climate emergency, no one should be getting dogs to keep as pets anyway as they have such a high carbon paw print. They might be nice but they are something that is a luxury rather than essential (With the exception of assistance dogs of course).
My dog is a rescue so she was already here. I didn’t pay a breeder, so I am not encouraging them to produce puppies. All my dogs have been rescues.
Shadow21 · 29/12/2020 22:47

Also I’m pretty sure people have a bigger carbon footprint than dogs. Are you going to stop people from having children? 🤔

Whammyyammy · 29/12/2020 22:47

[quote LST]@whammyyammy I am responsible. I put a lot into getting my dogs recall as good as it is. I have a collie no amount of lead walking would be enough for him. I don't drive so I cant pay to go to a field. So I will continue to off lead walk my dog. Who is under control due to me being a responsible owner. [/quote]
Recall 'as good as it is', you mean not 100%

What would you do/expect if your dog ran up to on lead dogs and got bitten and needed the vets? As if it was ti my dogs I certainly wouldn't pay the vet bill, the police woukd not be interested and nor woykd the courts. Like people, not all dogs like being harassed.

Whammyyammy · 29/12/2020 22:49

Apologies, fast phone typing lol

Original poster
Thewithesarehere · 29/12/2020 22:51

@Whammyyammy

I just don't see why people can't control their dogs???? The old excuse that walking on leads doesn't give then correct exercise is rubbish, take them on a long walk or pay to use an off lead secure area. If you cannot be responsible, don't own a dog.
Based on muscle biochemistry, it is a rubbish claim and a situation that is entirely manageable, as evident by laws on off lead dogs and designated area in other developed countries. But you are talking to a wall really.
OP posts:
Eckhart · 29/12/2020 22:52

Like people, not all dogs like being harassed

And like people, they would only be forgiven violence if they were being attacked.

LST · 29/12/2020 22:53

No I meant he has been 100% reliable with his recall for the past 9 years. So I am pretty close to 100% confident he comes back when called. He wouldn't go to another dog as he isn't interested in other dogs. He wouldn't put himself in that position.

Whammyyammy · 29/12/2020 22:54

@Eckhart

Like people, not all dogs like being harassed

And like people, they would only be forgiven violence if they were being attacked.

Or felt threatened. Camera never lies and will always protect an on lead dog against the off lead/uncontrolled dog...
LST · 29/12/2020 22:54

The wall being you @op?

Original poster
Thewithesarehere · 29/12/2020 22:55

@Eckhart

Like people, not all dogs like being harassed

And like people, they would only be forgiven violence if they were being attacked.

Check the government website posted right before this post of yours and see what how it defines an out of control dog.
OP posts:
Whammyyammy · 29/12/2020 22:55

@LST

No I meant he has been 100% reliable with his recall for the past 9 years. So I am pretty close to 100% confident he comes back when called. He wouldn't go to another dog as he isn't interested in other dogs. He wouldn't put himself in that position.
Thats great to hear. Its the ones that allow their dogs to bound across the park to run rings around and harass people that are the issue.
LST · 29/12/2020 22:59

@whammyyammy those are the dicks that need their dogs on lead. They give everyone a bad name lead to threads like this calling for all dogs to suffer because of the actions of a few. They are normally the people that let their dogs shit everywhere as well. They just shouldn't be allowed pets.

Whammyyammy · 29/12/2020 23:02

Also, some dogs only react/go for a certain breed of dog. For some reason malumutes or huskies are high up on the list that dogs react too, not surevwhy, but dogs don't like these breeds. So as a malumute owner, it can be a pain.
Like all dog owners, my dogs are are huge part of our life, but we want to enjoy time with them, and not avoid areas known for uncontrolled dogs or be nervous when out.
The camera gives us that

Swaddlemeinplants · 29/12/2020 23:06

The old excuse that walking on leads doesn't give then correct exercise is rubbish, take them on a long walk or pay to use an off lead secure area
It’s really not.
I also have a collie and on lead is not enough for her, I know because I’ve done it before and slowly but surely her behaviour declines.
A typical walk is a fair few hours, she gets stressed on lead (as do many dogs, the huge proportion of lead reactive dogs is testament to that), she needs off lead exercise.

I don’t drive, neither does DH and we don’t have friends or family that would want to be driving us to off lead secure areas, I don’t even know of any such areas around here!

Whammyyammy · 29/12/2020 23:06

[quote LST]@whammyyammy those are the dicks that need their dogs on lead. They give everyone a bad name lead to threads like this calling for all dogs to suffer because of the actions of a few. They are normally the people that let their dogs shit everywhere as well. They just shouldn't be allowed pets.[/quote]
Totally agree. Mine only go off lead in secure dog facility (crap recall of breed, or though one ok, but don't risk) but we walked them at least 6 miles per day, so we encounter a lot of dogs, majority perfect, but the odd arse ruins it for all.
And as for not cleaning up after them, thats a whole thread in itself.

Dogs need and deserve proper care and love

Whammyyammy · 29/12/2020 23:10

At the end of the day, if an owner is going to allow a dog to be exercised without full control of the lead in a public place, then they need to be responsible for its actions.
Be it encountering humans, livestock, other dogs, horses, wildlife etc, if the owner took the decision to not leash, then any actions caused by that decision falls on your shoulders .

Whammyyammy · 29/12/2020 23:13

This is a subject that is very personal to me, as above, an irresponsible owner lied to the police that could of resulted in my dogs being put down for defending themselves. Luckily the camera does not lie. I urge all responsible owners to get one.
I'm now stepping away from post.
Please keep all dogs safe.

Scottishskifun · 29/12/2020 23:24

@Whammyyammy

I just don't see why people can't control their dogs???? The old excuse that walking on leads doesn't give then correct exercise is rubbish, take them on a long walk or pay to use an off lead secure area. If you cannot be responsible, don't own a dog.
No secure areas to be paid for where I live, my dog suffers from lead anxiety due to multiple dog attacks (she's actually better off her lead than on it) and I can't keep up running with a 30 mph greyhound!

We did nearly a year of intensive training before she was ever let off and she walks to heel and has good recall as a result which is unusual for her breed. We only run her full speed in large flat spaces so she doesn't injure herself.

I'm definitely not a irresponsible owner for not only walking her on the lead especially given lead anxiety.