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AIBU?

To walk my in season dog? Is it a criminal offence?

306 replies

PollyPurpose · 18/01/2022 11:43

Just that really.

I’ve just been stopped by a local dog walker and she politely but firmly told me it is a “Criminal offence to walk an in season bitch; under a section something…? ”. She stated that if a male dog follows my dog out of the park and gets hit by a car I am legally and criminally liable. She also said I am ruining all dog walks for entire dogs.

I did politely ask what it is owners are meant to do as dogs need walking - she said pavement walks in the dark. As a lone female in london I won’t be doing this.

So yes what are peoples thoughts. Is it actually illegal because I can’t imagine not being able to walk her for three weeks at a time. Twice a year.

She always remains on lead and is small enough for me to carry. She is three years old and I’ve never had an issues - if a male dog has shown interest they’ve usually been called back by an owner.

In response to “have her neutered” I will once I have decided whether Or not to breed from her.

OP posts:
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Am I being unreasonable?

765 votes. Final results.

POLL
You are being unreasonable
62%
You are NOT being unreasonable
38%
cavalierkingc · 18/01/2022 12:05

@ComtesseDeSpair
You can be knowledgeable without being a professional breeder.
Id rather buy a pup from a family loved dog than a dog from someone who breeds for a living any day.

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Getyourjinglebellsinarow · 18/01/2022 12:05

@ZoeTheThornyDevil

That'll be dogs dying out in 10 years then, excellent plan.
Congratulations on the significant achievement of saying genuinely the stupidest thing I've seen said on here on the subject of dogs. Oh, whatever will we do without half-arsed clueless backyard breeders?

Beautifully put.
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CuriousaboutSamphire · 18/01/2022 12:07

It is not illegal. She was being ridiculous. Though some dog charities do suggest that owners make more use of their gardens rather than walk bitches out in public.

However, it does help if you are fully aware of what happens to male dogs, and some bitches, when they scent an in season bitch. Then you can make choices that are sensible for your situation.

What is a sensible requirement, I think, is that she must be on a lead at all times when out of the house. That way she cannot run off and ignore you 'in the moment' and will be close to you if investigated by another dog.

She will pee more than usual and she will leave a "Come and find me" scent trail that intact dogs could follow all the way back to your home. So maybe take her for a short drive and walk her away from your home. Though that won't be useful for dog owners.

And she may leave blood drops, or a pale straw cooured substance. You could take a spray bottle with bleach solution or "Bitch in Season" spray, or similar, try to eradicate that smell.

Mine is a three year old and we are breeding from him (he is a fine specimen and is being used to strengthen the breed into a more modern, less 'extreme' standard). He is nigh on immovable when he scents a bitch in season. Stands rooted to the spot huffing in the scent and casting round for more. He gets over excited and little bit irritable. The first time it happens I then have to remember to kit him out in a harness and double lead, which he hates, but means I can have easier control over him when he tries to shoot off after a bitch.

So be careful. Take precautions and safeguard her safety whilst thinking about the effects she is having on other dogs.

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RogerDodger · 18/01/2022 12:08

This is really irresponsible.

Do you realise that if a dog tied with your bitch (which can happen incredibly quickly before you’ve even realised he’s there!) you will be unable to separate them? They will tie and you could be stuck there with them in the street/park for 20 minutes while a not so orderly queue of other interested parties forms. Recipe for disaster. Let alone the risk to your bitch from either being hurt by a dog while you’re trying to protect her from him or from the risk of pregnancy. You say she is small- big dogs don’t care what size the bitches are. You’re putting her at risk.

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ComtesseDeSpair · 18/01/2022 12:10

[quote cavalierkingc]@ComtesseDeSpair
You can be knowledgeable without being a professional breeder.
Id rather buy a pup from a family loved dog than a dog from someone who breeds for a living any day.[/quote]
You might. I wouldn’t, and sensible people shouldn’t. My brother did because he was a clueless idiot and what he has is a very soppy Rottweiler who’s required thousands of pounds worth of correction for his elbow and hip dysplasia because the lovely but equally idiotic and clueless breeder didn’t think to have her dogs tested to see if they were carriers of the genes which lead to it. Didn’t think she needed it, because they were such lovely dogs.

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Nanny0gg · 18/01/2022 12:13

@maggiecate

Info here: pathwaypooch.com/can-you-walk-a-dog-in-heat-what-you-need-to-know/. YABU to have an unspayed bitch if you aren’t a knowledgeable registered breeder.

A knowledgeable breeder would know the answers...

One season is fine and often recommended. A three year=old unspayed bitch, Very unreasonable,
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buzzandwoodyallday · 18/01/2022 12:13

So she thinks it's illegal on the day time but allowed when it's dark? Should have told her to mind her own bloody business and if she's worried about her off-lead dog running after your in-season bitch then she should keep her dog on a lead.

There really are some busybodies around.

On another note though, I agree that you should have your dog spayed if you're not a dog breeder (and I assume you're not as otherwise you'd have known that the woman was a twat).

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TedMullins · 18/01/2022 12:15

Not illegal so YANBU to walk her but YABU not to get her spayed. Dog breeding isn't a hobby. I've no problem with dedicated breeders who perform the right tests etc but people just wanting to make a quick buck from their pets? Nah.

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RestingStitchFace · 18/01/2022 12:15

YABU to have an unspayed bitch if you aren’t a knowledgeable registered breeder.

This is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. It may be a young dog. There are definite negative health implications that come with spaying a dog too young. Many responsible dog owners, myself included waited until our dog had been through it's first season before choosing to spay. It doesn't make us criminals, dog abusers or lunatics.

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JuergenSchwarzwald · 18/01/2022 12:15

@XiCi

YABU. Surely you realise you shouldn't be walking an in season bitch around other dogs? You keep her in or as the dog walker said, walk her late at night or in areas other dogs won't be.

Aren't the other dogs "done" so they don't go after females?

This smacks of the Taliban - keep the females in so the males are not bothered.

But I agree that it's not very fair to run the risk of her accidentally becoming pregnant.
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RealBecca · 18/01/2022 12:18

Why on earth would you breed from her for profit when rescue centres are on their knees. Beyond stupid.

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Woofwoofbarkbark · 18/01/2022 12:18

I'd just stick to small enclosed empty spaces or a lead walk on the road. Don't go to the woods or park etc where there will be lots of male dogs.

You're asking for trouble to be honest.

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tabulahrasa · 18/01/2022 12:18

“This is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. It may be a young dog.”

It’s 3...

“Aren't the other dogs "done" so they don't go after females?”

Neutered dogs are still interested and some will in fact perform the complete act, they just won’t get her pregnant.

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DottyHarmer · 18/01/2022 12:20

Dogs are not human beings. A male dog will not surreptitiously eye an attractive female dog and then pretend he hasn’t noticed.

One woman brought her in-season dog to dog training and then started shrieking at everyone in the village hall to keep their dogs away. It was bedlam.

There was also an incident in the local park when a woman was shouting at other owners that their dogs were rapists and the dogs should control themselves!

So the OP has the right to walk her in-season dog, but should fully expect some doggy attention and be able to handle it.

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Undecicive · 18/01/2022 12:20

@maggiecate

Info here: pathwaypooch.com/can-you-walk-a-dog-in-heat-what-you-need-to-know/. YABU to have an unspayed bitch if you aren’t a knowledgeable registered breeder.

This.
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shedevill · 18/01/2022 12:21

Get her spayed. Putting your dog through seasons why you pontificate about breeding is not helping or healthy for a 3 year old dog, it's almost like you're hoping an 'accident' will happen!

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SlashBeef · 18/01/2022 12:21

Just get your dog speyed. We don't need random breeding their pets.

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Undecicive · 18/01/2022 12:22

@cavalierkingc

In response to people saying you shouldn't breed your pets. Not everyone is farming pups for money. I bred my cavalier once and she had 2 pups that both live with family members. £0 Profit. Why assume the worst?

Nothing to do with profit. Your pet is a per quality, so didn't come with breeding rights. You presumably had no idea about what to do in an emergency situation, didn't seek the right stud, done health checks etc etc
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Woofwoofbarkbark · 18/01/2022 12:22

@JuergenSchwarzwald

Yes males should get done to.

We have had to wait until our male is 18 months old as he is a large breed. So it's over a year of frustration for the dog! He gets very excited around an on heat female.

All parties need to take responsibility.

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RedRobyn2021 · 18/01/2022 12:22

You'll get loads of unpleasant responses to this I imagine, but I'd have told her to piss of to be quite honest

You should walk your dog even when she's in season, just be mindful about letting her off the lead

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ChargingBuck · 18/01/2022 12:23

Does Local Dog Walker imagine specific legislation is in place that allows you to walk an on heat bitch in the dark, on pavement?
And that you'd fall foul of that law ONLY if you ventured into daylight, &/or allowed your dog to place her paws on grass?
Think about it.
Does she reckon dogs can't smell in the dark, or off concrete?

She's pissed off that her entire dogs are distracted by your bitch, & bullying you with giant fibs.

Although YABU for continuing to walk her in your usual spaces. It is YOUR responsibility. YOU choose not to spay your bitch, & YOU should be the one mitigating against ill effects on other dogs.
Not because of legislation. Because it's the right thing to do.

Get her spayed. Then you won't have this problem again.
There are FAR too many unwanted dogs already, & unless you are an expert, with an expert's knowledge of how to genetically test, hip & eye test your own bitch & how to similarly vet a stud, you have no business breeding from her.

TL:DR - both you & Dog Walker are in the wrong here ....

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Floralnomad · 18/01/2022 12:23

It’s not illegal but you must be pretty dense to walk a small in season bitch in a park or high dog traffic area .

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girlmom21 · 18/01/2022 12:24

It's not illegal but it's daft to walk her in a busy area when she's in season.

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RedRobyn2021 · 18/01/2022 12:24

@milkyaqua

She's three years old. How long are you planning to take to make your decision? I think it is unkind to her and to the male dogs in the area.

Hahahahaha

Ridiculous
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CuriousaboutSamphire · 18/01/2022 12:25

This smacks of the Taliban - keep the females in so the males are not bothered. Not sure you understand the realities of a bitch in season.

And really? That kind of stupid comment should be added to Godwin's Law!

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