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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think you should not allow your dog to chase squirrels?

208 replies

lillypond75 · 01/04/2021 20:38

Because it causes distress to a wild animal! I said to my friend to put their dog on a lead and she looked at me like I was mad. Apparently it's fine as their dog is unlikely to catch it, but that's hardly the point imo.

OP posts:
Newfluff · 01/04/2021 21:12

Hunting animals with dogs is illegal in England (and probably the UK) so yanbu, its the same selfish people that allow out of control dogs to run up to dogs on the lead/children and say 'it's OK he is friendly' the same selfish cunts that thing 'dogs on lead' doesn't apply to them.

Childrenofthestones · 01/04/2021 21:13

My dog chases cats. He rarely catches them. is that ok?

megletthesecond · 01/04/2021 21:13

"Not very good at squirrelling" Grin.

It doesn't bother me when I see dogs chase squirrels, they're long gone up the tree before the dog can get it. Don't like them chasing pigeons though, they're a bit slower.

Newfluff · 01/04/2021 21:15

Do you have issues with cats regularly catching wild birds and mice? Usually injuring them to play with?

Funnily enough I do, however rightly or wrongly cats are not considered to be under the control of humans

Newfluff · 01/04/2021 21:16

@Childrenofthestones

My dog chases cats. He rarely catches them. is that ok?
Yes, After all its in their nature and they are prey.
Stellaris22 · 01/04/2021 21:17

My dog is never going to injure or kill another animal (she is well behaved and under control, by the time she sees a squirrel it's long gone).

But it's ok for cats to regularly kill wild birds and small mammals? It's an odd logic if people really are concerned about welfare of animals.

Original poster
lillypond75 · 01/04/2021 21:21

I disagree. Firstly a squirrel is a living thing and I don't think it's right to let an animal that you are responsible for cause distress to other animals whether you like that animal or not. Plus there are laws about keeping your dog under control. It's hardly natural when a dog is a domestic animal either, domestic animals aren't in the dog chain/ eco system. I wouldn't compare it to a cat hunting either as they are no laws about controlling cats.

OP posts:
BlatheringOn · 01/04/2021 21:22

Poppycat: "dream on, they've no chance of catching them".

You've obviously never owned a lurcher! That's why I have to make lots of noise to warn the squirrels.

firedog · 01/04/2021 21:23

@redcandlelight

yanbu it's nesting season anyway and dogs need to be on lead right now unless in specifically allowed areas to protect nesting birds and other animals.
That's a new one on me. Never heard of that and everyone I know with a dog lets them off. And some chase squirrels and some don't. Squirrels are vermin and rarely caught
Theunamedcat · 01/04/2021 21:23

Family member lost control of her dog in a large park (greyhound dog) my aunt was sat on the bus driving past all the children were awww look at the squirrels (in said park) greyhound comes out of nowhere catches a squirrel and owner is left chasing the greyhound trying to get him to drop the squirrel children on bus traumatised everyone comments how shocking it is that a dog is lose and eating squirrels in the park relative buys stronger lead for next walk aunt was mortified that people would find out she was related 😳

Stellaris22 · 01/04/2021 21:26

I've never heard of the nesting thing either. Are all cats being kept inside to stop them being killed? Probably not.

It's not something I encourage my dog to do, but they are vermin and it's natural behaviour in some breeds so I wouldn't feel bad about it.

Newfluff · 01/04/2021 21:27

@firedog you either live somewhere built up or you are one of the many walkers that can not read the A4 signs that are everywhere.

ChocOrange1 · 01/04/2021 21:28

Wild animals are evolved to be chased by larger predators. Should be cull lions because they might chase and frighten a zebra? Its just nature.

MajesticWhine · 01/04/2021 21:29

My dogs will have a go and never get close. The squirrels must have a good laugh at how useless they are.

NailsNeedDoing · 01/04/2021 21:29

I wouldn’t have let my dog chase a squirrel or other wildlife when I had one, but I don’t think dog owners can be criticised for allowing it occasionally when cat owners do exactly the same thing every day.

ChocOrange1 · 01/04/2021 21:30

@Newfluff

Hunting animals with dogs is illegal in England (and probably the UK) so yanbu, its the same selfish people that allow out of control dogs to run up to dogs on the lead/children and say 'it's OK he is friendly' the same selfish cunts that thing 'dogs on lead' doesn't apply to them.
I don't think a dog chasing a squirrel is the same as "hunting with dogs". If you were going to them eat or sell the squirrel, maybe.
firedog · 01/04/2021 21:31

[quote Newfluff]@firedog you either live somewhere built up or you are one of the many walkers that can not read the A4 signs that are everywhere.[/quote]
There's no A4 signs in any of our local parks. Some dogs are on leads and most aren't. There's hundreds of squirrels everywhere. No idea what the signs would say

Stellaris22 · 01/04/2021 21:31

I really have never heard of this nesting season thing, and neither have any of the other dog owners I know.

I'm very careful if I'm walking in a conservation area on a walk where there are signs to keep dogs on lead, and follow rules accordingly. I'd also make a point of not visiting beaches during seal breeding season.

Chasing the odd squirrel is very far removed from those things.

Beseigedbykillersquirrels · 01/04/2021 21:33

@lillypond75

I disagree. Firstly a squirrel is a living thing and I don't think it's right to let an animal that you are responsible for cause distress to other animals whether you like that animal or not. Plus there are laws about keeping your dog under control. It's hardly natural when a dog is a domestic animal either, domestic animals aren't in the dog chain/ eco system. I wouldn't compare it to a cat hunting either as they are no laws about controlling cats.
A dog's gonna dog, domesticated or not. Having an owner doesn't mean they don't still have a primitive prey drive and natural dog instincts and behaviours. It's probably why dogs still cock their legs to pee rather than use a toilet and flush afterwards.
firedog · 01/04/2021 21:33

@MajesticWhine

My dogs will have a go and never get close. The squirrels must have a good laugh at how useless they are.
This. Some dogs just don't and some do. Depends on breed. Squirrels run across the grass & up trees or jump tree to tree etc Ive never known anyone make an issue of it. Same as cats chasing mice or rats etc
Original poster
lillypond75 · 01/04/2021 21:34

@Newfluff

I strongly disagree. It's their nature to do a lot of things that are unacceptable but we must control them as responsible owners. For example, it's in their nature to raid my picnic, they are scavengers after all but a responsible owner would take steps to not allow this. It's in their nature to chase sheep but I hope you would not allow this....

There are also laws around dog ownership and your dog could be considered dangerously out of control if it injured someone else's pet. It doesn't matter if it's in your dog's nature. You keep your dog under control.

Plus you may not like cats but they are usually someone else's pet and I think it's pretty heartless to let your dog attack someone's pet.
It doesn't only harm the but it also would be deeply distressing for the family.

You wouldn't let a high prey dog like a huskie or put her go loose on a fluffy little dog even if it's on your their nature all for the reasons described above.

OP posts:
Stellaris22 · 01/04/2021 21:34

@MajesticWhine it's very common to see squirrels mocking my dog as they know full well they're safe

Jijithecat · 01/04/2021 21:38

@Stellaris22 from the gov.uk website

Dogs on open access land
You must keep your dog on a lead no more than 2 metres long on open access land:

between 1 March and 31 July - to protect ground-nesting birds
at all times around livestock
On land next to the England Coast Path you must keep your dog under close control.

There may be other local or seasonal restrictions. These do not apply to public rights of way or assistance dogs.

Newfluff · 01/04/2021 21:40

[quote lillypond75]@Newfluff

I strongly disagree. It's their nature to do a lot of things that are unacceptable but we must control them as responsible owners. For example, it's in their nature to raid my picnic, they are scavengers after all but a responsible owner would take steps to not allow this. It's in their nature to chase sheep but I hope you would not allow this....

There are also laws around dog ownership and your dog could be considered dangerously out of control if it injured someone else's pet. It doesn't matter if it's in your dog's nature. You keep your dog under control.

Plus you may not like cats but they are usually someone else's pet and I think it's pretty heartless to let your dog attack someone's pet.
It doesn't only harm the but it also would be deeply distressing for the family.

You wouldn't let a high prey dog like a huskie or put her go loose on a fluffy little dog even if it's on your their nature all for the reasons described above. [/quote]
Whoa, you misunderstood, I assumed that the poster that said about was it OK to chase cats was pointing out the hypocrisy between allowing dogs to chase squirrels but not cats. I completely agree with you, and I'm a dog owner ,one of who is a sight hound. Mine would easily catch a squirrel and kill it, however as an owner I do not allow such situations to arise.

YolandiFuckinVisser · 01/04/2021 21:41

My dogs like to stand very still under a tree and stare up at the squirrels above. Occasionally they run about under the tree then stop and stare again. I don't think the squirrels care much, they just carry on doing their thing in tree.

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