To be so sick of selfish dog owners...The seal pup in London

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It’s in the news that a seal pup has been mauled by an off lead dog. The seal pup now is likely to be put down.

Recent story of an off lead husky attacking lambs and sheep . A few months ago an off lead dog mauled a deer which had to be destroyed.

Numerous stories of swans being mauled by off lead dogs. On top of the numerous stories of children being attacked by off lead dogs.

Ffs why are people so bloody stupid and selfish! Keep your dog on a lead near wildlife!

I feel so sad for the seal pup . AIBU to think laws need to be tightened around off lead dogs?

I say this as a dog lover and owner .

This is such a sad story.

Irresponsible dog owners do my head in. The pavements near us are constantly covered in dog poo- it’s absolutely disgusting. A few weeks ago my DD (4) was chased by a small dog in the park, and she got scared, tripped over and started crying. ‘Oh it’s because she was running,’ the owners protested Not my problem, your dog should be on a lead FFS! I’m not a dog lover but I’m not anti-dog by any means. It’s the owners who are the problem! Definitely a case for bringing in stricter laws.

@Catscrat how dare the dog owner imply that your daughter shouldn't have been running in the park! That's what children do in parks. That comments would have wound me right up. Dogs chasing me as a child would have been terrifying, in that moment an out of control dog is as dangerous as a wild wolf, your poor DD.

@Dazedandconfused28

I can't help but agree that there seem to be more irresponsible dog owners about...maybe they're just out walking more. I took 2 year old DS to the park yesterday, we went in a fenced off picnic area where dogs have to be kept on s lead. We went there because DS is quite timid of dogs. He was happily running through a play tunnel when a woman let her 2 (quite big & boisterous) dogs off the lead, they both went straight into the tunnel & DS was trapped between them, terrified & shaking. She told me they were friendly- but neither would return to her call. It's not even that I don't trust her judgment in regards to her dogs- but equally she doesn't know if my toddler will grab or pull at them either. I do respect people's right to let their dogs run in the park- I just wish people could understand that not everyone is a dog lover & having dogs under control is paramount.

That sounds absolutely terrifying for your poor DS (and for you!) - I'd have been absolutely beside myself. They could easily have attacked your DS, or even just hurt him because he was trying to get away.

[quote MeepleMe]@Catscrat how dare the dog owner imply that your daughter shouldn't have been running in the park! That's what children do in parks. That comments would have wound me right up. Dogs chasing me as a child would have been terrifying, in that moment an out of control dog is as dangerous as a wild wolf, your poor DD.[/quote]
A dog is classed as dangerously out of control if off lead and makes a person feel scared....
www.gov.uk/control-dog-public

Completely agree.

It’s against the law to let a dog be dangerously out of control anywhere, such as:

in a public place
in a private place, for example a neighbour’s house or garden
in the owner’s home
The law applies to all dogs.

Some types of dogs are banned.

Out of control
Your dog is considered dangerously out of control if it:

injures someone
makes someone worried that it might injure them
A court could also decide that your dog is dangerously out of control if either of the following apply:

it attacks someone’s animal
the owner of an animal thinks they could be injured if they tried to stop your dog attacking their animal

A farmer is allowed to kill your dog if it’s worrying their livestock.

I wish people would be more careful about the types of dog they buy as well. We live rurally and have new neighbours, a retired couple who are not in the best of health, with bad backs and arthritis problems. They wanted a dog and went out and bought two very large breed black and tan dogs used in Europe for guarding sheep (sorry, I forgot the breed name). They cannot physically control these dogs, put in fencing too low to keep them in their garden and don't seem to have trained them to respond to voice commands at all. They have zero manners, are not exercised enough and are very excitable to the point where no one can now walk past their house with their own dogs as they will clear the fence and run at you and God help you if you meet them on a 'walk' while on horseback. I met her on foot, thankfully, one day in our local woods and the dogs dryskied her to run over to me to say hi. They are lovely natured animals but I can see them getting shot by a farmer. WHY would they decide with their age and ill health, such a strong, large, working breed was the dog for them and get TWO?!

Whammyyammy exactly, the child was clearly 'someone worried that it might injure them' to be so afraid she fell over and cried.

Yanbu poor Freddie that dog was vicious. It drives me mad on the beach when the dogs off lead chase the children.

There are some nice clear photos of the woman apparently involved. I hope she is found and prosecuted.
And hopefully this awful incident leads to a wider discussion around negligent dog owners and the need for regulation.

@Sloth66

There are some nice clear photos of the woman apparently involved. I hope she is found and prosecuted. And hopefully this awful incident leads to a wider discussion around negligent dog owners and the need for regulation.

She should indeed be found and prosecuted by the proper authorities. The original photo I saw suggested maybe the lead had broken, but from reading other accounts which have emerged it seems this may not have been the case.

Some of the viscious comments I've seen online though - lots of people seem to forget we don't have trial by mob in this country.

I agree with people keeping their dogs on lead around lifestock and on lead if they have no control over them. Irresponsible dog owners fuck me off as they are going to ruin it for everyone else. You should need to pass a test to own a dog and another if you want to let it off lead in public! (Understand that is totally not do-able)

This is very distressing. I live nearby and Freddie was a welcome and beautiful sight for us locals. I just realised that he was attacked on the Barnes side of the Thames, not the Hammersmith side. The Barnes side is very wild and natural (for London, anyway). It's an 'off lead' area unlike the Hammersmith side, which is busier and where more dogs tend to be on leads because of the heavy footfall and cycling traffic.
I'm not defending the dog owner here at all, but I wonder if she could actually see the seal from where she was walking or if she thought the dog was just going in for a swim, then realised too late what the dog's intentions were.
It's terribly sad. I've walked my dog up and down that river/towpath for years now. Over the years, we've had several seal pups spend time on our banks and it's always been such a joyful experience for us jaded Londoners.

I would, very reluctantly and heartbreakingly, put my dog down in this case. It's a no-brainer. This is a vicious dog.

@burritofan

So by your logic because 'some' men attack women all men should be subjected to restrictions? I do think this, actually. To think otherwise is to think “not all men”. The way this thread is “not all dogs” or people responding to BLM with “all lives matter”.

It’s not a perfect analogy, though. Because ultimately, all dogs can and all dogs ^might*. That’s why they all need to be on lead in public spaces at all times, no exceptions; and all owners should need to go through training to acquire a licence. Surely all responsible dog-owners and dog-lovers would happily acquiesce to licensing and controls as it would keep their own dogs safe and make stricter controls and punishments less likely?

I am responsible dog owner and I would not be happy being made to keep my dog on his lead all the time.

I'm a dog owner - my dog is normally very reliable and we mainly walk her off lead. She's not bothered with other dogs or people walking past unless they say hello to her, and she has great fun with a doggy pal or two. But there are areas where it is safest for everyone that she's on her lead.

And we were in one of these areas on Saturday afternoon - she was on her lead when a staffie came bounding across. I love staffies, my ds2's just passed away on Friday at the grand old age of 14. Unfortunately this one wasn't coming to say hello, and attacked my dog. I screamed at her, and she let go but then wouldn't return to her owners. Their reaction was to say "sorry about that" and attempt to walk off, but I was really shaken and upset so ranted a bit.

We were at the vets yesterday for two puncture wounds to be cleaned out, antibiotic injection and painkillers. We're lucky, we can afford the bill - but these people just get off scot free?? I'm furious about it.

It so sad. I keep thinking about this incident. It's just awful. The poor seal.

Irresponsable dog owners really get on my nerves. I've got a gorgeous spaniel who I've spent time and love training. There's so many classes around as well as loads of content on YouTube, so there's no excuse to have such a poorly trained dog.
Recently, whilst I was pregnant I took my dog out for a walk - she was on her lead and she was attacked by a German Shepard, who was off lead. I got knocked over in the process. It was just awful.

Completely agree that the law needs to change to ensure all dogs are kept on lead in public places. However, in order to achieve this there needs to be more spaces set aside for those dog walkers who want to be able to let their dogs off in a safe and enclosed space - specific dog exercise areas.

@Ohthatsgreat

Having read the Chiswick Calendar article, I’m afraid the dog does need to be found and put to sleep. There’s a suggestion the owner knew it was going for the seal, next time it could be another dog, sheep or other animal depending where the owners walk it. I also think the owner should be fined. I’d also be for a dog license system and owners required to go through compulsory training with their dog. Dog ownership should not be accessible to all I’m afraid because some people are not responding enough to own a dog.

Would it not be better to rehome the dog to someone who is capable of controlling it?

It is totally unacceptable what happened. I won't even let my dog chase squirrels even though I know she's unlikely to catch one. It's still causing fear and alarm to another animal so I won't allow it. It pisses me off when I see other dog owners who think it's funny.

Some dogs do have very high prey drives, or are very reactive to other dogs, but these problems can be safely managed with the right owner.

@Expectingsomethingwonderful

Completely agree that the law needs to change to ensure all dogs are kept on lead in public places. However, in order to achieve this there needs to be more spaces set aside for those dog walkers who want to be able to let their dogs off in a safe and enclosed space - specific dog exercise areas.

Thats all well and good but unless these areas are on my doorstep my dog will suffer as I wouldn't be able to get there.

@sasparilla1

I'm a dog owner - my dog is normally very reliable and we mainly walk her off lead. She's not bothered with other dogs or people walking past unless they say hello to her, and she has great fun with a doggy pal or two. But there are areas where it is safest for everyone that she's on her lead.

And we were in one of these areas on Saturday afternoon - she was on her lead when a staffie came bounding across. I love staffies, my ds2's just passed away on Friday at the grand old age of 14. Unfortunately this one wasn't coming to say hello, and attacked my dog. I screamed at her, and she let go but then wouldn't return to her owners. Their reaction was to say "sorry about that" and attempt to walk off, but I was really shaken and upset so ranted a bit.

We were at the vets yesterday for two puncture wounds to be cleaned out, antibiotic injection and painkillers. We're lucky, we can afford the bill - but these people just get off scot free?? I'm furious about it.

Your poor dog. I'd be looking for those owners and presenting them with the bill. Suspect those who had the decency to pay would be in the minority though.

The insufferable entitlement shown by many "owners" of these dangerous animals never ceases to amaze me

Large dogs/dogs with powerful jaws should be phased out as "pets". Why anyone would want one in their home in the first place is beyond me, especially if they have children

Its so sad and often preventable. If you dog cannot be recalled around distractions you can use a long line for them to still be able to run around, or hire a secure field.

I have a dog who is always on lead because he can be a bit unpredictable. The amount of times he has off lead dogs running up and jumping all over him is ridiculous, with owners that can't recall them - often far in the distance. It really sets his training back.

My nephew is also scared of dogs and the amount of times I've been in near a kids park with dogs running over to us with the owner shouting 'he's friendly don't worry'. Its not about being friendly its about having control over your dog and not allowing it to run over to everything it sees. A lot of dog owners just seem think they can let their dogs run riot if they're "friendly".

I didn't for this for this comment to turn into a small rant!

@Flaxmeadow

The insufferable entitlement shown by many "owners" of these dangerous animals never ceases to amaze me

Large dogs/dogs with powerful jaws should be phased out as "pets". Why anyone would want one in their home in the first place is beyond me, especially if they have children

How large is large. What would be your limited on dog pet size?

ValleyClouds
Selfish dog owners are increasingly one of my biggest aggravations in life

I agree. Every single day I encounter one of:
Dog shit on the road/path
An off lead dog in the road
A dog jumping up at me or my DCs.

I'm truly sick of it. There must be responsible dog owners out there but at the moment is does not feel that the selfish ones are anything like a minority.

Completely agree. My 8 month old puppy has great recall unless there are other dogs around. So I only let him off in one quiet field, and my eyes are constantly on the entrance in case other dogs arrive so I can put him back on,
He is so friendly but if he runs up to another dog he will not come back until he's ready no matter how much I call him. So most of the time he stays on a long lead. I do not trust his recall so I won't inflict him on other's people