I kicked my neighbours dog

[bumcakes1234]

We live in the countryside, I went out with 12mo DD in the carrier and my dog (who was on the lead) we walked round the corner from our house. In the distance we saw some people out walking with their four dogs, the dogs saw us and started all barking and racing towards us. I wasn't sure what to do because my dog was on the lead and theirs wasn't, I tried to pull my dog away and take a different route but she wasn't keen on turning her back on the dogs running at us (don't blame her tbh).

Decided to stay still and maybe they'd be fine after a sniff, one of the dogs was very aggressive snarling, it snapped at my dog and I just lost it

I kicked the dog and started screaming and shouting at it to get away.

It went off and I went on my way on the different walk. Didn't stop to have an awkward conversation with the dog owner. I should add the owner was trying to call their dog back and we do live in the kind of place where you can go for a walk in the fields and not see a soul so I'm not mad them for not having their dog on a lead.

I am however mortified that it was (I believe) a relation of the people who have just moved in next door 🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️

YABU - you overreacted and should apologies to your new neighbours

YANBU - that psycho dog went for your dog and you have to do what you have to do!!

@Soontobe60

The dog snapped at your dog probably because your dog was on its lead. It was, in effect, captive. Instead of walking off with your dog you decided to stand still, making your dog even more vulnerable. The fact that your dog would not walk away with you seems like you don’t have full control of it, just like the owners of the other dogs didn’t have control. The dog wasn’t attacking you. Did it actually have hold of your dog? I can see why you reacted as you did, but unless the dog was actually attacking your dog and would not let go, kicking it is unacceptable.

Not at all.

Dogs are on leash for all kinds of reasons and their unwillingness to turn their back on a threat is nothing to do with lack of control. It's instinct.

You undoubtably should stop the uncontrolled dog in any way possible. Whilst kicking could have caused a worse outcome, it kind of depends on the dog and your instinct would surely stop you kicking a German shepherd for example, so it doesn't escalate.

You can report a dog for "fear of harm" to a person or dog, therefore kicking them for "fear of harm" is acceptable. Better than waiting for them to attack your dog or child.

The other owner should have had control of their dogs, and should be the ones to apologise to you if it comes to it.

Lifelong dog owner and I absolutely love dogs. But I will not allow one to harm my dog or child and would step in/harm them if I thought it was imminent.

It goes from snarling and snapping to "hole in your dog's skin" very, very quickly.

I have docile, gentle, calm dogs and have kicked an out of control dog trying to attack them too. I would never harm an animal intentionally otherwise but I will protect mine, even if did mean seriously injuring or killing an attacking dog.

Did the owners not try to stop their dog?

I’ve been bitten before after another dog went for mine but I still don’t think that I could physically kick an animal.

I once saw some people shouting at a woman with her dog on lead because she asked them to control their off leash dogs and keep them away from hers as it was scared.

They told her that her dog wasn't under control because he needed to be on lead and was a "bad breed" I had to stand up for her as their behaviour was disgusting and wrong.

I hate people like this.

I kicked a German Shepherd that was trying to attack my daughter's Lhasa Apso, who was on a lead. It jumped over the fence and I kicked it an told it to fuck off. The owner came running out and apologised, but I was furious, it could have killed her.

Yeah given you had a baby and the dog was acting aggressively I don't think you did anything wrong if that's what was needed to keep the dog at bay. If they know their dog is other dog aggressive then it simply shouldn't be off lead unless in a private space.

I have 2 dogs and would utterly furious if anyone hurt them, but you did what had to be done.

I don't agree with the comments about you panicking with inference of acting inappropriately. Your instincts kicked in to protect your baby and your dog which was tethered and at the mercy of the aggressive one. Your instincts got the required result. I get so cross when even over-friendly unleashed dogs come hurtling towards my quiet on-lead one, especially when the useless owners can't recall them. If you can't control your dog, there are consequences. Simple.

Idiotic owner needs to keep an aggressive dog on a lead, and all the others on leads too since they have zero control over them. I'd feel bad for the dog for kicking it, but I also wouldn't let it near me, my child or dog with it snarling so yep it would get kicked. And then the owner would have been shouted at for being a moron.

They need to be careful, if the dog comes across a horse or cow or something that kicks, the dog could end up dead.

YANBU.

If an irresponsible owner puts their dog in that position and a dog approaches you or your dog aggressively, you need to do whatever you must to protect yourself and you should not hesitate. It’s awful, but if injury is going to occur, the injury should be to the aggressor.

I don't think you did anything wrong at all @bumcakes1234. I would have done the same thing. You had a baby and your own dog to protect. I wouldn't be embarrassed either, the owner of the other dog should be. They should have had control of their dog.

You were protecting your dog and possibly yourself and your daughter. YANBU, the owners of the dogs actually owe you an apology, they shouldn't have their dogs off lead if they're aggressive and don't have good recall

YANBU.
Snarling dog may have learned it's lesson from your swift kick and may be more cautious who s/he snarls at next time.
No apologies needed IMHO.
If anything, they should be apologising to you.

For clarity, I am a dog lover and don't advocate kicking dogs randomly, but, sometimes, needs must.

I kicked the dog and started screaming and shouting at it to get away.

How big was that dog? Was it larger than your dog?

My concern would be, you were presumably holding your baby. It's understandable to want to protect your dog, but what if the dog reacted to YOU kicking it and YOU became the target of its aggression?

YANBU. I turn into a Mama Bear where protecting my own dog is concerned.

YANBU. Aggressive dog runs at my children, I will kick it.

@bumcakes1234 I wish I’d kicked the dog that escaped from a garden bit my passive dog on her rump and caused problems where my dog now lunges if other dogs come too close.
Not to mention the £70 vet bill.
We were on holiday at the time so no redress.

I wouldn't kick a dog that was only threatening but not being physically agressive. For once, in all likelihood, this is what could make it become physically violent.

You should have turned away and your dog should have followed your direction.

Saying that, I would have had a word with the owners. A dog that snarls should be on the lead.

@vivainsomnia

I wouldn't kick a dog that was only threatening but not being physically agressive. For once, in all likelihood, this is what could make it become physically violent.

You should have turned away and your dog should have followed your direction.

Saying that, I would have had a word with the owners. A dog that snarls should be on the lead.

Why on earth should she or her dog turn their back on an aggressive dog?

Would You? No one would fgs.

YANBU - I love dogs and have three of them and would have done the same. I hate dog owners that don't secure their pets. It's not safe for them nor for others. Very irresponsible.

YANBU - If they have dogs odd lead they need to have trained them to return when called. This is extremely important - if their dogs don't come back when called, they are not safe to be off lead. It is NOT your fault.

*off lead!!

@Soontobe60

The dog snapped at your dog probably because your dog was on its lead. It was, in effect, captive. Instead of walking off with your dog you decided to stand still, making your dog even more vulnerable. The fact that your dog would not walk away with you seems like you don’t have full control of it, just like the owners of the other dogs didn’t have control. The dog wasn’t attacking you. Did it actually have hold of your dog? I can see why you reacted as you did, but unless the dog was actually attacking your dog and would not let go, kicking it is unacceptable.

What a load of rubbish.

@SoupDragon

It goes from snarling and snapping to "hole in your dog's skin" very, very quickly.

This is what I thought in the moment, I thought act now otherwise this is going to turn nasty and I couldn't just stand there and let the dog bite mine, not for the sake of being polite. I do feel embarrassed though but to be honest, particularly because they're my neighbours.