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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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

769 replies

TickTockTick21 · 22/03/2021 20:25

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 .

OP posts:
Iheartmysmart · 23/03/2021 14:55

I’ve got a dog. He’s always on his lead apart from 3 areas locally where I know it’s safe to let him off. However if people come near us in any of these places who don’t have a dog or have an on lead dog he goes straight back on his lead until they are clear. He is absolutely not allowed to chase or bother other animals. That’s just good manners.

I’d quite happily pay for a dog licence and already have third party insurance for him.

GingerBeverage · 23/03/2021 14:58

Are dog on dog and dog on human attacks recorded/tracked in the UK? Is there a way to see if these have increased this year?

Do councils have a duty of care to provide children with safe outdoor spaces free of dogs and dog mess?

lynsey91 · 23/03/2021 15:03

Made me angry and sad. Poor seal was only a baby.

I love dogs and have had them all my married life (40 years) but far too many owners are selfish and stupid.

I do think the owner should be prosecuted.

As well are being irresponsible though it is also a lack of concern about wildlife. Why would you take a dog even on a lead where there is a seal?

I see drivers quite often deliberately aiming their cars at birds, squirrels, hedgehogs, cats etc. Makes me sick. Animals have as much right to be here as we do. In fact they deserve to be here more than a lot of humans

Leonberger · 23/03/2021 15:06

@Flaxmeadow just because it’s large does not mean it’s aggressive.

Lots of the giant breeds are bred for water rescue, therapy and companionship. Most of them are calm natured. Mine don’t even bark never-mind act aggressively.

I would 100% rather that than a smaller dog bred for fighting/ratting/killing.

MaxNormal · 23/03/2021 15:28

@QueenPaw well done your horse. We unfortunately lost our little Maltese to one of our horses when I was a child. She and our fox terrier got into the field by accident and chased the horse, who panicked and ran and just happened to clip her head with it's hoof. Tragic accident but unfortunately that's what can happen.

A few years later I was out riding and two large dogs came out of a property and tried to attack my horse. I thought she would be badly injuried or bolt, was terrifying, but she somehow managed to kick both of them and they ran off screaming.

It seems one died as the owner turned up and demanded compensation from my dad, who told him to fuck off.

Fortheloveofzog · 23/03/2021 15:41

I also love staffies but had to watch as one bounded across the field to attack my dog yesterday. Fortunately my dog came away from it unharmed, but I'd been told this dog has done it numerous times and the owner just doesn't seem to care. It was terrifying, I thought I was about to see my dog get torn apart infront of me. I let my dog off the lead when it's safe to do so, I always put her back on if other dogs are on lead or there are children around. It's just not worth the risk.

Scrowy · 23/03/2021 15:49

Every time I walk out of my door at this time of year I feel like crying. We farm on open moorland. It's against the law for dogs to be off lead at this time of year on moorland to protect ground nesting birds.

Yet there is nearly always several people with dogs off lead and off footpaths traipsing around. That's before you start counting the poo bags that are left everywhere.

I completely despair of the complete and utter lack of respect for wildlife, other people and the working countryside so many dog owners now seem to have.

I'm in no doubt the vast majority of the dog owners we encounter consider themselves to be good dog owners, and I'm sure they are up to the point where they have to consider the impact they are having on the natural world letting their dog have a lovely long run off lead across moorland.

The dog doesn't have to actually harm the parent bird to cause harm, just frightening it away from its nest long enough to allow other predators to eat the eggs causes harm.

Happinessisawarmcervix · 23/03/2021 15:54

@LindsayDenton79

I've always had the opinion that because dog owners are comfortable with their dog they assume that others are too

I encountered a woman with four dogs off the lead, twice, when pushing DD1 in the pram. I no longer go on that walk. They were nowhere near the owner and therefore not in control. It should be law that dogs have to be on a lead when in public

Quite soon after I got my DDog we were walking in a park and a lady stopped absolutely stock still in fear when she saw him. He’s a fluffy medium sized thing, not a “scary breed” and I am sorry for whatever has happened in her past that caused her to have that reaction. Of course I picked him up, moved him behind my body so she couldn’t see him and gave her the widest berth I could so that she could carry on with her day.

I am always mindful now that anyone at all can be scared of dogs and it’s my job not to let my dog add to that fear.

toffeebutterpopcorn · 23/03/2021 15:56

I am fed up with the people who seem to think that it’s everyone else’s dog that ought to be on a lead next to the lake In the park. where there are signs telling them to be so - and that throwing a stick into the lake for your dog to chase is a brilliant idea. It’s full of ducks, geese, swans, herons... but the dogs chasing them is all fine...

Every year birds get mauled but the selfish sods still don’t bother to managed their dogs.

There are loads more at the moment (lockdown pups and people travelling across town to walk their dogs) and I rarely see a properly trained dog. If your won’t heel or come when called, you haven’t trained it. It’s not your baby. It’s not a cheeky or naughty dog - it’s a dog and you can’t expect it to come when called if you haven’t trained it.

Flaxmeadow · 23/03/2021 16:25

just because it’s large does not mean it’s aggressive

All dogs have the potential to be aggressive. Large or small. A newborn baby was eaten alive by a dachshund, as the babies tired mother slept

Apart from working dogs, I would ban all of them TBH but as I said, a start would be phasing out large dogs or dogs with powerful jaws. In other words, a dog that is hard to fight off in an attack

LST · 23/03/2021 16:32

@Flaxmeadow

just because it’s large does not mean it’s aggressive

All dogs have the potential to be aggressive. Large or small. A newborn baby was eaten alive by a dachshund, as the babies tired mother slept

Apart from working dogs, I would ban all of them TBH but as I said, a start would be phasing out large dogs or dogs with powerful jaws. In other words, a dog that is hard to fight off in an attack

Ridiculous 🤣
incywincyspiders · 23/03/2021 16:33

I have a chihuahua. I never ever let her off the lead. It's not only wildlife you hear of bigger dogs attacking little dogs all the time and I wouldn't risk it.

At the same time, I know this is off topic but I've had so many parents let their child fuss my dog without my permission. Just because she's small it doesn't mean she's a free for all.

Flaxmeadow · 23/03/2021 16:34

Ridiculous

What is? Why are you posting laughing emojis at my post? Do you think dog attacks are funny?

Wolfiefan · 23/03/2021 16:37

No but your suggestion that the solution is to get rid of all large or powerful dogs is.
You sound bonkers.
Glad I have my giant dogs to protect me.
Oh wait. They are more likely to be scared of you and hide behind me. Hmm

Totallydefeated · 23/03/2021 16:50

So by your logic because 'some' men attack women all men should be subjected to restrictions? Surely it's the same thing taken to extremes?

It’s not the same thing, because a dog is an animal, not a human being.

What would be wrong with only having dogs off lead in certain areas, eg fenced off designated dog run areas in parks? And on the lead elsewhere, including busy river walkways packed with kids, walkers and cyclists?

Worth noting there’s one such less than a mile away from where the seal was, but this stupid women decided not to use it.

Totallydefeated · 23/03/2021 16:51

That was in answer to MyGhastisFlabbered

WithTeaTree · 23/03/2021 16:51

I never understand the people who bag up the poo but don’t bin it or take it home with them. They’d be better off just leaving the poo to compost down than sticking a plastic bag around it.

chaosrabbitland · 23/03/2021 16:51

i love seals , he looked so cute and cuddly , it was so terrible he was attacked like that , he must have been in so much pain and so frightened , i only clicked on the daily mail last night for a quick look and i was so pissed as all the pictures came up straight away with the headline so there was no choice but to see it and i wish i hadnt . it made me very upset , why oh why do papers feel the need to put the picture up ,just a headline would have been enough , crys .. i only wish that he had been taken by a wildlife rescue service when he was first sighted there and im amazed he wasnt , sadly he was always going to be at risk staying there

Zevia · 23/03/2021 16:52

I think dogs are a bit like alcohol.

If alcohol was only a recent invention, it likely wouldn't be legal because of its harmful societal effects. However, it's so deeply ingrained in our culture it's likely here to stay.

Similarly, I think if there was a popular new domestic pet trend, and the animals in question caused the same amount of problems as dogs, they'd likely be banned or restricted. It wont happen with dogs any time soon though.

Bibidy · 23/03/2021 17:32

I think it depends what actually happened.

Like others have said, it looks like the dog has broken its lead so the owner hadn't let it loose.

Obviously it's so sad that it did happen and the dog definitely should have been on a lead in that area anyway as it's busy, but if he broke free from his lead when he saw the seal then I don't see how the owner can be blamed really. It wasn't even a big dog so the lead should have been adequate.

Bibidy · 23/03/2021 17:33

@WithTeaTree

I never understand the people who bag up the poo but don’t bin it or take it home with them. They’d be better off just leaving the poo to compost down than sticking a plastic bag around it.
Yeah same, why hang it on railings or whatever? May as well just leave it on the floor if you're going to do that!
Backstreetsbackalrightdadada · 23/03/2021 17:34

Agree and people should be required licenses to keep dogs (not with a financial test, but a conduct one)

DoubleTweenQueen · 23/03/2021 17:44

I think all dog owners should be obliged to do a comprehensive training course before getting a licence - bit like driving - then no excuse for ignorance.
I am a new dog owner, and there is a lot to take into account.

TooOldandTired · 23/03/2021 18:01

@Bibidy

I think it depends what actually happened.

Like others have said, it looks like the dog has broken its lead so the owner hadn't let it loose.

Obviously it's so sad that it did happen and the dog definitely should have been on a lead in that area anyway as it's busy, but if he broke free from his lead when he saw the seal then I don't see how the owner can be blamed really. It wasn't even a big dog so the lead should have been adequate.

The lead is clearly intact in the pictures, on what basis are you saying the lead my have broken?
Snugglepiggy · 23/03/2021 18:12

Wasn't the lead attached to a harness round the waist ?Personally I hate those as they are longer and your dog is not kept under control as much as with a short,hand held lead.It far easier for a dog to lunge or get in someone's way..