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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Put my foot out at dog running

219 replies

AlexForrestBunny · 17/02/2021 15:03

I was out with my 3year old daughter this morning at the field/ children’s park which is a couple of minutes walk from my house, all normal and fairly quiet as the weather isn’t great.
It’s a large enclosed area so there is a mix of people walking their dogs and children playing, all fine - dogs are allowed off their leads and never seen or had issues before today.
My daughter was walking next to me and I had my baby in a carrier on my chest, I heard a man shouting ‘he’s fine, don’t panic’ so I turned to see and there was a large dog running towards us, I like dogs so not one to panic if they jump up or come over to say hello but this dog was pretty big ( husky sort) and was running straight towards my daughter. Now I wasn’t thinking ‘omg it’s a crazed dog going to bite’ it was more ‘shit, it’s going to knock her off her feet running into her to say hello’ , I had the baby on my chest so my reaction was to stand in front of her and as it got upto us I put my foot to the side to stop it jumping on my daughter.
I didn’t kick it, but the guy went crazy saying how dare I touch a friendly dog with my foot, he doesn’t bite and he loves children.
I told him he seems very friendly, he was trying to jump up on a small child so I was stopping my child from being hurt, maybe he should train him not to run at children.
He then started a rant about reporting me to the police for battering a dog and people like me should be on a poster?!
AIBU that my reaction was to put my foot out to a dog?

OP posts:
noteacake · 17/02/2021 17:34

I go running and since Covid I have notices a lot more unruly dogs.

I am heartily sick of owners who say "He is friendly, he won't hurt you" while their dogs runs at me or my children. One got hold of my water bottle and pierced and played with it like a toy and when I said calmly to the owners could you please come and get your dog they didn't even engage.

As a result my eldest son is now very wary as we have had a few too many incidents when they go for us.

I thought standing still and hiding hands so they can't bite your hands is the best option. I would be interested in knowing what I should do?

I don't understand people who can't control their dogs - why have the off leash when they have no control over dogs in a public park?

Is it a case that Covid has meant people have purchased dogs but just can't be bothered being good owners?

dontbefatist · 17/02/2021 17:34

We really need what other civilised countries have, which is dedicated dog parks, which are separate to human parks.

At best the current situation is human parks being glorified dog toilets, mid-way is humans avoiding parks due to dogs, worst case is dogs chasing humans who are taking recreation or doing exercise and potentially harming them.

People have dogs requiring a lot of exercise, sometimes off the lead, but the dogs often have very poor recall. This is bad enough in the countryside, but parks should be separated out into dog park and human park.

dontbefatist · 17/02/2021 17:34

Or separate sections of the park in big parks.

LST · 17/02/2021 17:36

@Xenia

If I had my way we would have no dogs in the Uk at all
Bet it sucks to be you. How do you feel when you walk past a dog in the street?
noteacake · 17/02/2021 17:36

I mean another one ran at my son and we got - "It is fine he is a rescue dog" I mean what on earth?

Apologies for the poor spelling.

I am concerned now that my son has some kind of fear and so somehow attracts dogs who can sense his fear.

I also saw an owner talking really rudely to the dog it was disgusting but again we didn't intervene because you just actually can't engage with unruly dog owners. You just do not know what them or their dog will be like.

oil0W0lio · 17/02/2021 17:36

since Covid I have notices a lot more unruly dogs
it is getting worse:(

CovoidOfAllHumanity · 17/02/2021 17:37

Once a Labrador swiped my toddler DDs sandwich clean out of her hand just as she was about to eat it whilst we were trying to have a picnic in the park.

DD was crying because she wanted to eat her sandwich, the dog was trying to scoff all the rest of the food and in the process trampling on baby DS who I had laid on the picnic blanket. I was trying to drag/ shoo the dog off. It was pandemonium and the owner was nowhere to be seen at all.

Finally she came puffing up having been ineffectually calling the dog from the other side of the park and she just thought it was funny. She didn't even apologise that her dog had eaten our lunch. Her attitude was 'labradors and food what can you do?'

I actually do like dogs but I really really dislike owners who are not in control and assume that others will tolerate their dogs bad, nuisance behaviour.

My own BIL has a huge dog that doesn't get nearly enough exercise and consequently goes crazy when it does go out. I was absolutely mortified when they let it off lead in our local park and it ran up to play with another dog, didn't stop in time and bowled the elderly lady owner clean off her feet. To be fair BIL was mortified too but the fact remains that they got a bloody huge dog in a tiny urban house with both parties working FT and now 2 small children. They cannot cope but will not admit it.

Goldensunnydays81 · 17/02/2021 17:37

I have had a dog on an extendable lead run into my cafe kitchen and a member of staff put their foot out to stop them running in any further whilst trying to get the owner to control their dog, one I didn’t want a dog in the kitchen and 2 there were hot pans being carried around! The lady went crazy screaming at us and couldn’t understand why we wouldn’t want her dog in there! She reported us to lots of places but didn’t get anywhere as they just said she was wrong

passtheorange · 17/02/2021 17:38

One of these days...

... and if they get me on a bad day, someone's out-of-control dog might get a kick in the teeth from me. And if the owner complains, they might find themselves short of a few teeth as well.

oil0W0lio · 17/02/2021 17:38

We really need what other civilised countries have, which is dedicated dog parks
yes! I think they are starting to get popular there though?

SpeakingFranglais · 17/02/2021 17:39

You know you weren’t wrong OP, I’d have told him he was a fucking idiot and offered to call the police there and then for him.

huuskymam · 17/02/2021 17:39

If he can't control his dog when it starts to run at people then it should be on a lead. You did nothing wrong, he was being a fool.

oil0W0lio · 17/02/2021 17:41

'labradors and food what can you do?'
wuuuut
she said that??
I'd have....omg my blood pressure😮

mathanxiety · 17/02/2021 17:42

There are dog parks where I live. Best idea ever.

Plus an animal control department that responds to calls about strays, and strict leach laws that the police enforce.

People got tired of dealing with entitled dog owners.

noteacake · 17/02/2021 17:42

I also have had a dog ruin a picnic and the owner not care. Actually where I live may just be really unlucky with all the inconsiderate dog owners and what is it with people who can't clean up their dog's mess?

I think dedicated dog parks would be way better.

But any tips on just what to do when you have these dogs run at you.

I have started running early and notice it is note as bad but when the weather gets better I do want to run during the day!

mathanxiety · 17/02/2021 17:42

*leash

PatchworkElmer · 17/02/2021 17:44

YANBU!

I hate it when dog owners shout things like “don’t panic” like I’m being unreasonable for reacting. They are unreasonable for not controlling the potentially dangerous animal they own. I think lots of dog owners also fail to empathise with small children, and appreciate how much bigger their massive dog looks to my 4 year old. I position myself between DS and dogs who approach us like this, always. And I would kick one away in your situation.

fassbendersmistress · 17/02/2021 17:45

YANBU

I was running a while back and had a large, but young, dog repeatedly run at me and jump on me. It’s owners, a couple with 2 young kids, just stood staring waiting for the dog to come back. And then it would turn and launch itself at me again. I stopped running and tried to walk off. And asked them to control their dog. They were utterly useless and clueless. And there they were in their Hunter wellies (which they were too afraid to Wade through a muddy puddle to retrieve dog from by my side) on a jolly walk with their cute kids and cute dog....grrrrr, some dogs have no right to be owned by such wreckless plonkers!

Ideasplease322 · 17/02/2021 17:46

I love dogs, but this one was out of control.

Your reaction was completely understandable

LaceyBetty · 17/02/2021 17:46

Who voted YABU?

TheMoth · 17/02/2021 17:47

There's a path by me shared by walkers, cyclists, runners and dog walkers. Most people stick to one side of the path. No cars.

When you're running, it can be hard to stop suddenly without falling over. When people's dogs are on those extendable leads, or off lead and wandering across you, it's a menace. If I were to fall, I'd hurt myself but would more than likely crush a small fluffy dog.

NotExactlyHappyToHelp · 17/02/2021 17:47

YANBU in the slightest. I own a big friendly goofy dog but it’s my responsibility to make sure that you never have to interact with or be close to my dog unless you choose to.

These dickhead owners wouldn’t be so bloody cavalier if they were walking their dogs close to farmland where farmers can and will shoot an out of control animal worrying their livestock.

Whammyyammy · 17/02/2021 17:52

@passtheorange

One of these days...

... and if they get me on a bad day, someone's out-of-control dog might get a kick in the teeth from me. And if the owner complains, they might find themselves short of a few teeth as well.

Good on you, I feel exactly the same some days. Its really simple, if a dog cannot be kept under control and runs up to other dogs or people, put it on a lead
oil0W0lio · 17/02/2021 17:53

And I would kick one away in your situation
what if it bites your foot though?
Better to carry a walking pole to keep it at bay surely?

Eckhart · 17/02/2021 17:54

@PatchworkElmer

I think lots of dog owners also fail to empathise with small children, and appreciate how much bigger their massive dog looks to my 4 year old

Yes! I wonder how they would feel if a dog came hurtling up to them that was the same height as them?!

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