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AIBU?

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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:
Whatamess666 · 22/03/2021 22:05

I'm part of a major city based wildlife photography group and in the last week we've had several photos of crows with endangered toads in their beaks, a magpie with a newt and multiple kingfishers and otters eating fish. It's somehow more upsetting when the perpetrators are our dog pals but really it's no worse. I watch my girl like a hawk and like to think I'd be able to redirect her but if I had a tragic accident I'd hate to be talked about online. It's horrific to think about, but such is life.

Fridacaninelo · 22/03/2021 22:06

It's somehow more upsetting when the perpetrators are our dog pals but really it's no worse.

Er, it definitely is unless otters and crows are responsible for mauling children and other humans.

Also the animals you mention are wild animals. Dogs are domestic pets.

ArcherDog · 22/03/2021 22:06

This reply has been deleted

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Fridacaninelo · 22/03/2021 22:07

I watch my girl like a hawk and like to think I'd be able to redirect her

If you don't know that for sure then keep her on a lead.

There is no debate to be had here about that.

Fridacaninelo · 22/03/2021 22:07

It does look like she has a waist belt and lead around her waist.

Yes and you can tell by looking at it that that lead was completely unsuitable for a dog of that build and strength.

3AndStopping · 22/03/2021 22:10

Oh...!!! &... another dog peed on my buggy last week Angry

‘Oops haha sorry’ the owner said Hmm

ValleyClouds · 22/03/2021 22:11

@Wolfiefan

Such an awful thing to happen. My dogs are walked off lead. Away from livestock. They don’t bother on lead dogs. They will walk past (or stand out of the way while passed by) pedestrians. I ALWAYS pick up. And they are giants. So I walk on leads that won’t snap. No crappy extending lead to be a hazard. I would hate for dogs to have to be on a lead at all times. But I would welcome decent licensing laws or mandatory training. Wildlife and livestock shouldn’t suffer because people can’t be responsible dog owners.
Just as an FYI - as a powerchair user, if I saw you coming with two large dogs off leads I would absolutely shit myself and be cursing you under my breath.

YOU might know YOUR Large Dog won't jump, stop and growl, or chase.

I DO NOT

Nor does the older person with a walking aid
The parent of a severely autistic or blind child.

Etc etc

expectopelargonium · 22/03/2021 22:12

@Whatamess666

I'm part of a major city based wildlife photography group and in the last week we've had several photos of crows with endangered toads in their beaks, a magpie with a newt and multiple kingfishers and otters eating fish. It's somehow more upsetting when the perpetrators are our dog pals but really it's no worse. I watch my girl like a hawk and like to think I'd be able to redirect her but if I had a tragic accident I'd hate to be talked about online. It's horrific to think about, but such is life.
Pet dogs are not wildlife or part of the natural ecosystem, they are artificially introduced.

It is worse because it was totally avoidable. That poor seal pup was not taken by a natural predator in the wild, it was savaged to death by an out-of-control dog.

Robieuni · 22/03/2021 22:15

We’ve always had dogs, but I really think there should be some sort of licence and measures put in place to discourage idiots from getting them.
The dog shit everywhere, the constant barking because owners can’t be arsed to train them, the running amok.

itsaniceproblemtohave · 22/03/2021 22:15

Absolutely sick of selfish and irresponsible dog owners - as per an earlier poster this one of the most aggravating things when I am out and about in my local environment

I live in a "naice area" yet still have to dodge the crap all over the pavements, see the pop bags swinging in the trees and watch out for dogs off leads charging around the parks

Time for dog license fees and dogs on proper leads in all public places. The minority are ruining enjoyment of our outdoor spaces for the majorly and something needs to change

I feel desperately sad for you seal - and hope the outpouring of anger and outrage will lead to a positive change regarding dog ownership in this country

Wolfiefan · 22/03/2021 22:16

@ValleyClouds if I see a walking aid or powered chair or anxious child or adult?
They are called straight to me. They stand and wait for the person to go by.
I wouldn’t walk where kids were playing etc. We are lucky to live in a beautiful part of the country where we can avoid people who want to avoid dogs.
I’ve worked hard to get them to behave. Every single day I watch the responses of people we see on our walk. I won’t ever let them scare or menace anyone.
Feel free to curse me though.

Ermintrude74 · 22/03/2021 22:16

To the poster who just put the photo up: you shouldn't have posted this. Some people wouldn't have wanted to see it without warning. It's distressing and posters above had already stated they wouldn't be searching for the images.

No news outlet would have posted the photo without warning. Reporting it.

Mummywantsaweewee · 22/03/2021 22:21

@ArcherDog walking your dog in a public place where lots of other people walk I would think the responsible thing IS to walk your dog on a lead.

When I was pregnant with DS1 I was taking my lunchtime walk along a path where lots of other people walk and a massive dog ran up to me and stood up, scratching me through my clothes. Owner tried to call it back but it didn’t listen and when I walked past her she didn’t even say anything to me. Dogs aren’t at fault, it’s the irresponsible owners.

Best dog/owner I’ve ever seen, a bloke used to bring his dog to the supermarket i once worked at and his dog sat outside the shop til his owner came out, he didn’t budge one inch til his owner came out and gave the command to move. No lead. I told him how impressed I was that he had trained his dog so well.

SofiaMichelle · 22/03/2021 22:22

I hope to god that dog has been put down.

It's absolutely ridiculous that people can keep dangerous animals as pets. There is no need and it shouldn't be permitted.

That poor seal . Sad

ValleyClouds · 22/03/2021 22:23

@Wolfiefan

In 12 years of using a powerchair, my experience has overwhelmingly been of inconsiderate and irresponsible behaviour from dog owners towards their dogs interaction with me.

I curse you under my breath even if I don't know you because I need to presume that you will be Yet Another Selfish Dog Owner because experience has taught me to be apprehensive.

In recent years, I have taken to completely stopping dead, out of the way until the dog is moved out of my path. Frequently, I am looked at as though I have kicked their dog and insulted them by being nervous.

Bitter experience of people not controlling their dogs. I genuinely thought I might get attacked two days ago.

All dog owners think they are "one of the good ones" and statistically this can't be true.

Fridacaninelo · 22/03/2021 22:25

My neighbour has recently got a massive dog - it was a puppy at the start of lockdown and already huge. It is a mastiff cross. It lives in her gardenless flat with her and three kids. Whenever I see her walking it down the street it is practically dragging her along, she has no control over it at all. Absolute disaster waiting to happen.

LexMitior · 22/03/2021 22:26

@Fridacaninelo

It's somehow more upsetting when the perpetrators are our dog pals but really it's no worse.

Er, it definitely is unless otters and crows are responsible for mauling children and other humans.

Also the animals you mention are wild animals. Dogs are domestic pets.

If people are worried about dogs then you can always lobby your MP. There are some pretty quick fixes on idiots who walk their dogs in playgrounds or near children's play areas without leads, which is criminalising that conduct as an offence with a very large fine attached.
CharlotteRose90 · 22/03/2021 22:29

I saw the article in the news and couldn’t even click on the pictures it looked far too upsetting. Poor poor seal. Makes me feel sick what it went through. I hope they put the dog to sleep. As a dog owner my absolute worst fear would be another dog attacking mine or my soft dog snapping and attacking one back

Sloth66 · 22/03/2021 22:30

There seem to be many more dogs about since lockdown.I see more dog shit all over the pavement and most dog owners near m appear to totally ignore the numerous signs asking them to keep their dogs on leads in parks during the nesting season.

I hope the woman whose out of control dog savaged and killed this seal pup is prosecuted .

Ermintrude74 · 22/03/2021 22:36

I love animals. Generally love dogs although will confess to being biased towards larger less fancy ones.

What really gets my goat is the owners of the smaller breeds, who think they don't need to bother with training, etiquette etc simply because their dog is only knee high. Despite loving dogs (on the whole 😁) I loathe finding a shrill yappy thing paddling away with its paws on my freshly laundered jeans whilst the owner looks on indulgently.

Similarly dogs who are brought to my house and spend all their time yapping at my (admittedly supercilious) cat, whilst the owner smiles fondly and drops hints about me removing said cat upstairs. Nope.

Train them or don't inflict them on others 😘

JayAlfredPrufrock · 22/03/2021 22:39

That poor seal. It’s little face. 😢

Lemonlemonlime · 22/03/2021 22:40

I would like to see compulsory leads in all public areas. There is no justification for dogs to be off lead outside of designated dog exercise areas. It’s disgusting how many of these types of attacks on wildlife, livestock, other dogs, we see day in day out, as well as the general nuisance of dogs scaring children in parks.

BRB2021 · 22/03/2021 22:44

It’s clearly broken its lead in the photos, it’s not loose

I would have thought that having broken its lead, that is the very definition of loose Hmm

ArcherDog · 22/03/2021 22:51

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Fridacaninelo · 22/03/2021 22:52

Dog owners will never win.

They very much will if they keep their dogs on leads.