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 seek to find an agenda in something that can easily be explained by incompetence?

I don't think it's always incompetence. I have examples of this too but the 2 I've given it's not that. The first dog is incredibly well trained and easily controlled if the owner was to actually do so. It's more entitlement/lack of awareness that just because you adore your dog and love to see him roam doesn't mean that everyone does. Just because you don't mind going home with muddy paw prints on your coat others might be bloody annoyed. Just because your dog is friendly doesn't mean everyone's is. They love their dog so you should too!

midnightstar66
As a dog owner I totally agree.
To be honest most people would agree because that is sensible and rational.

Because the world isn’t so black and white as you hope it to be.
Now you just sound paranoid.
You genuinely believe that an irresponsible owner who allows their dog off lead does this to engage in power play with random strangers rather than because they're either incompetent, or a garden variety arse?

midnightstar66
I'd count all of that as incompetence because they're not showing they can competently take responsibility for their dog in public.

There's an owner on my regular walk with several small dogs and she thinks nothing of letting them come and say hello and try to jump to get treats . She can't control them and is totally ineffective. Each time I make my feelings known.

You genuinely believe that an irresponsible owner who allows their dog off lead does this to engage in power play with random strangers rather than because they're either incompetent, or a garden variety arse?
This is a great example of I said you are seeing world as black and white.

If you want a dog which needs lots of exercise, you need to be fit enough to keep up with them if you want to let them off-lead.

Bahaha! Until they invent rocket booster trainers I'm not going to keep up with my dog she easily reaches speeds of 30 mph...... A car would struggle to keep up with her acceleration!
She is only run in large open flat spaces however (mostly to avoid injury to herself).

@Scottishskifun

*If you want a dog which needs lots of exercise, you need to be fit enough to keep up with them if you want to let them off-lead.*

Bahaha! Until they invent rocket booster trainers I'm not going to keep up with my dog she easily reaches speeds of 30 mph...... A car would struggle to keep up with her acceleration!
She is only run in large open flat spaces however (mostly to avoid injury to herself).

And you want children and parents to keep up with that and judge all of the at in a flash? There is no universal guarantee that a dog owner can give and this is why the principle is better be safe than sorry. If a dog is running at my child at that speed (speed seems quite similar to what happened with us), I am supposed to judge all that? Quite like another parent upthread and like my DH, a lot of parents will kick first and ask questions later.

For those saying OPis advocating violence if a dog comes too close and think the definition is too loose. I think you are misinterpreting her words. I dont think OP wants to harm dogs. And surely if the mob of dog haters want to hit dogs with sticks it can be only when they get a sticks length away. Not half a field away or within the same postcode as some people have suggested. I've yet to meet someone scared of dogs/scared of them hurting them, charging across a field to attack one.
I detest cruelty against animals but I think some people are twisting words here.
Plus one post on mumsnet isnt going to change laws so you dont need to worry about your dog not getting a run but hopefully it will make some people on both sides consider the others position.

@Thewithesarehere what part of my dog is exercised in large open flat spaces didn't you get........

I don't run my dog if anyone is closer than 200 meters to us and when I call her she loops and runs back!
I don't expect parents to judge that she isn't anywhere near any children other than my own 2 year old who knows stand still (she runs around a person). She has never crashed into an adult or child because she is well trained!

So no you would have zero opportunity to kick my dog as she wouldn't be anywhere near you!

[quote Scottishskifun]@Thewithesarehere what part of my dog is exercised in large open flat spaces didn't you get........

I don't run my dog if anyone is closer than 200 meters to us and when I call her she loops and runs back!
I don't expect parents to judge that she isn't anywhere near any children other than my own 2 year old who knows stand still (she runs around a person). She has never crashed into an adult or child because she is well trained!

So no you would have zero opportunity to kick my dog as she wouldn't be anywhere near you![/quote]
I am at the end of my wits with some of you. Why are dog owners taking things personally and making it all about them?
My post was about all dog owners in general, not just you.

[quote midnightstar66]@LolaSmiles my thinking is that a dog should not be off the lead especially in busy areas where lots of children are playing unless

• you can be sure your dog won't approach/ jump on strangers

• you can be sure your dog won't approach other dogs, especially ones on leads

• you can be sure your dog won't go and snaffle the sausages on someone's bbq or the pork pies from someone's picnic (happens pretty much every time in our local parks, bloody annoying when left with not enough food for everyone)

• you are prepared to watch your dog at all times

I don't care about the size of the dogs but can see how large dogs can be more intimidating to some. [/quote]
I don't think a single dog owner on this thread would disagree with any of that.

@LolaSmiles

midnightstar66 I'd count all of that as incompetence because they're not showing they can competently take responsibility for their dog in public.

There's an owner on my regular walk with several small dogs and she thinks nothing of letting them come and say hello and try to jump to get treats . She can't control them and is totally ineffective. Each time I make my feelings known.

I have seen these childlike people, they appear to lack the 'theory of mind' skills necessary to appreciate that others are not as delighted by their pets as they are. Either that or they are so strongly emotionally bonded/ 'in love' with their pets that they can't think rationally, perhaps a bit of both 🤔

@Thewithesarehere except you asked me how I expected parents to judge that based on a comment about my dog....... So yes it was a personal comment about my dog🙄

Majority of dogs don't reach 30mph just greyhounds/sight hounds of which most are ex racers and won't be let off at the bog standard park!

@Scottishskifun

*If you want a dog which needs lots of exercise, you need to be fit enough to keep up with them if you want to let them off-lead.*

Bahaha! Until they invent rocket booster trainers I'm not going to keep up with my dog she easily reaches speeds of 30 mph...... A car would struggle to keep up with her acceleration!
She is only run in large open flat spaces however (mostly to avoid injury to herself).

I would suggest that a large predatory animal capable of reaching speeds of 30 miles per hour is completely unsuitable as a pet and should not be in an urban environment. You as the owner may be thrilled and delighted at the physical prowess of your pet but the rest of us are nervously eyeing it and hoping it comes nowhere near us

A greyhound being described as a predatory animal.

Now I HAVE heard it all.

I am at the end of my wits with some of you

Unsurprising really, given you’ve been plugging away relentlessly for four days.

OP
People are responding with their experiences because you seem to be incapable of considering that in many things we don't unduly restrict the majority because society has some selfish people in it.

Up thread a poster tried to argue that off lead dogs that approach people are probably a form of power play. When I said that's quite paranoid you've insisted twice that this is seeing the world in black and white. The fact you'd sooner consider a hidden agenda where off lead dog owners are seeking to get their kicks from their dogs approaching random people than consider that some people are just selfish and rubbish owners speaks volumes.

You've decided that because you think dogs should always be on a lead then that's that and are getting snippy when dog owners say 'actually, in my experience...'

A greyhound is a predatory animal. What do you think "predatory" means? Hint: it doesnt mean dangerous to humans.

@Yohoheaveho just because you live in a urban area doesn't mean I do! 😂

Greyhounds make excellent pets actually known as the 30/40mph couch potatoes as most of the time they like comfort and sleep. They are short sharp bursts of energy are extremely gentle and loving and rarely bark.

Those with a high prey drive generally wear a race cage when out and its also their safety blanket to them, unless you're child is the size of a fluffy rabbit or squirrel is going to be completely ignored!

Like every dog the prey drive is different my dogs is low she doesn't wear a race cage and she was never registered as a racer.

Tbh all you are showing is your ignorance! Never heard of a greyhound being a status symbol for prowess the majority are horrifically treated and rescue dogs! Also as said my dog isn't run near people!

Dog should be kept on a lead at all times whatever the size. - end of

How is a dog supposed to get sufficient exercise if it is constantly on a lead? Or be trained to come when it's called? Training working dogs would be impossible if they were never let off the lead.

And it would contravene one of the basic principles of animal welfare: the freedom to exhibit normal behaviour.

I'm happy if dogs are required to be kept on leads in urban areas, even in urban parks, but to expect them to be kept on leads in open countryside is bonkers imo.

What is needed is more education of dog owners, so that their dogs are under control when off-lead.

@cantdothisnow1

A greyhound being described as a predatory animal.

Now I HAVE heard it all.

Predatory couch potato, maybe!

How is a dog supposed to get sufficient exercise if it is constantly on a lead? Or be trained to come when it's called? Training working dogs would be impossible if they were never let off the lead
You have to get fitter and take it for long distance, on lead runs. If you're not able to run 10 miles at fit dog pace why did you even get a dog. You're so irresponsible

@LakieLady haha yep exactly as I look at my greyhound sprawled out legs in the air fast asleep 😂

Domestic dogs are not generally considered to be predatory animals.

Yes they may have instincts to chase animals, my gentle Golden Retriever has the gun dog instinct to chase birds.

But i don't think that was what the poster meant when they described the greyhound as a large predator.

How is a dog supposed to get sufficient exercise
who in their right mind would select a pet who's exercise requirements mean that the animal and its owner are a nuisance and a menace to the local community?

@Yohoheaveho

How is a dog supposed to get sufficient exercise who in their right mind would select a pet who's exercise requirements mean that the animal and its owner are a nuisance and a menace to the local community?

How is walking a well trained dog off lead in the countryside a menace to the local community?