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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
SirSniffsAlot · 18/01/2022 14:02

In response to the breeding it would be a pedigree kennel club dog

You may already know this, but the KC dogs from lots of breeders have endorsements on them to prevent offspring being registered without their knowledge (the original breeder must lift the endorsement).

user1481840227 · 18/01/2022 14:02

@Bonheurdupasse

Surely it's the responsibility of the owners of male dogs? They can get their dogs neutered, if they don't want to why should you spay your female dog- for them.
Some large breeds shouldn't be neutered until they're 18 months.
WhenISnappedAndFarted · 18/01/2022 14:05

It's not illegal but I do think YABU.

I've got two rescue dogs and they were neutered later in life, they both still react to female dogs in season despite being neutered. It's an absolute nightmare for a week with them squeaking and howling all day, trying to get out, trying to follow the female dog, trying to find where she lives etc.

BalladOfBarryAndFreda · 18/01/2022 14:05

@SirSniffsAlot

In response to the breeding it would be a pedigree kennel club dog

You may already know this, but the KC dogs from lots of breeders have endorsements on them to prevent offspring being registered without their knowledge (the original breeder must lift the endorsement).

Mine does, the breeder will only remove them if the person meets certain conditions in terms of health testing, set up and knowledge.
Twillow · 18/01/2022 14:07

Are you a qualified (not sure if there is a thing, but there should be!) breeder? If not, and you just fancy seeing how cute her puppies are or making a bit of money, YABU.

Wolfiefan · 18/01/2022 14:09

If you’re walking your bitch around off lead dogs then you AB completely U.
If you don’t know that much you certainly don’t know enough to breed a litter. Pedigree or not.
You’re putting your dog at risk.

NewYearNewMinty · 18/01/2022 14:10

@EIIa

Great

Oppression of female dogs now. With an owner who can’t walk her at night because ... she too is an oppressed female
🙄

My thoughts exactly.
Wolfiefan · 18/01/2022 14:12

Don’t be ridiculous! It’s not oppression. It’s keeping her safe. A determined male could injure you and her if he tries to mate with her.
Dogs could literally run across the road to get to her. You need to stay away from off lead dogs.

XiCi · 18/01/2022 14:13

@PollyPurpose

Wow thank you for all the replies.

In response to the breeding it would be a pedigree kennel club dog, well bred not some back yard breeder or a pet for no reason.

I shall continue to walk my dog and keep being cautious as I have done all her adult life. Thanks for clarifying and I’m glad for once I didn’t get upset by this busy body women.

You haven't listened to a single piece of advice on the thread then Hmm
Hugasauras · 18/01/2022 14:14

It's not illegal but I never did it. For one, the attention from male dogs can be quite distressing for your dog, and I wasn't comfortable that I could be fast enough to avoid an unfortunate mounting experience if there was an off-lead dog, so I was more concerned about her well-being than other dogs I suppose. She was also a bit grouchier so I thought it was just best to stay home and in our secure garden. It isn't long in the grand scheme of things.

But we had her done after two seasons as we had no intentions of breeding from her.

Blossomtoes · 18/01/2022 14:14

@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?
Because it’s the MN mantra. We’re breeding ours once because we want her to pass her genes on. We’ll keep one puppy and there’s a waiting list for any others which will be given away. Then she’ll be spayed.

If nobody allowed their dog to breed there wouldn’t be any MN approved rescue dogs.

SmallPrawnEnergy · 18/01/2022 14:15

I shall continue to walk my dog and keep being cautious as I have done all her adult life.
But your not being cautious if you’re walking an in heat dog around built up areas where other dogs are. It’s insanely stupid.

Also, pyometra can quickly kill an unspayed bitch. Backyard breeding aside as people have already made very good points with this, it’s a very real risk.

Hugasauras · 18/01/2022 14:15

There are several dog fields for hire round here! They're really popular when people have dogs who can't be off lead in normal surroundings as they're a nice secure space and no one else will be in it.

LondonWolf · 18/01/2022 14:17

As unfair as it is, I do think the risks are higher for an unneutered female dog than for a male. I'd never leave a female intact.

LoveMae · 18/01/2022 14:17
Grin

This thread is amazing. Doggy Taliban Grin

CustardySergeant · 18/01/2022 14:20

@LoveMae

Grin

This thread is amazing. Doggy Taliban Grin

Also the comment upthread "Get it spayed or carry condoms." Grin
BalladOfBarryAndFreda · 18/01/2022 14:20

we want her to pass her genes on

Will you be testing those genes to make sure they aren’t faulty, before you do?

ComtesseDeSpair · 18/01/2022 14:21

@Blossomtoes - but you aren’t typical of the average person who breeds their random pets, who don’t have waiting lists, and where the usual method of sale is a Facebook post saying “Princess has had her puppies! Anybody looking for a Cavacockerpoo puppy? Tag or share. Mates rates for friends!” which then often means impulse purchases by people tempted by a cute puppy but not having thought through long term dog ownership; and the rest of the litter going to strangers who might be good owners, crap owners, or looking for more cage fodder for their puppy mill.

Laiste · 18/01/2022 14:22

@SirSniffsAlot

In response to the breeding it would be a pedigree kennel club dog

You may already know this, but the KC dogs from lots of breeders have endorsements on them to prevent offspring being registered without their knowledge (the original breeder must lift the endorsement).

Yup.

The dogs i've had have all had clauses in the agreements with the breeder that the dog is not for breeding/should not be used for breeding without the breeders permission. Dog to kept simply as domestic pet ect.

OPs agreement might be different obvs.

I guess if you were just going to sell (or keep) the puppies without registering them with the KC then that wont stop you doing it and the breeder wont find out.

However you can't register the puppies with the KC without naming the sire and the dam and then it would come to light that you have dishonoured your agreement.

(also i hate to say it but simply being registered with the KC is no longer the guarantee of a good dog/breeder that it used to be)

Ylvamoon · 18/01/2022 14:22

Grin just enjoy walking her!

Make sure your hot pants & crop top stay in the ccupboard. You are not allowed to upset ANY male

GirlInACountrySong · 18/01/2022 14:25

In season dogs used to drive my male dog batty!! Got to the point he was tracking them and pulling me over. He's castrated now so the problem has stopped

Not sure it's illegal though! Your dog is a dog and needs walking still!

User574773662 · 18/01/2022 14:25

ONLY pets should be bred from, not bitches kept purely for breeding purposes, this is puppy farming.

Home breeding does not equate to back yard breeding. There are a great number of licensed home breeders who health test their girls.

Puppy farms aren’t always dirty kennels, there are plenty of high profile puppy farms. One thing they all have in common is that their animals are not pets.

nothingcanhurtmewithmyeyesshut · 18/01/2022 14:26

It's not illegal just fucking stupid. HTH.

BurntO · 18/01/2022 14:27

To answer the OP, she is wrong. Walk your dog but be mindful. It’s stupid to suggest anyone other than those with an unrestrained, uncontrolled dog is at fault.

Wolfiefan · 18/01/2022 14:29

Our bitches all have that endorsement on. We can’t breed from them. Their breeders may agree to remove the endorsements if asked but I’m not interested in breeding.
All the specialist health tests.
The risk to my bitch
Having to potentially take back puppies with issues if there are problems.
Chance of huge vet bills.
And passing on the genes? Why? For all I know mine could have faulty genes!