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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

I kicked my neighbours dog

175 replies

bumcakes1234 · 16/02/2022 15:52

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!!

OP posts:
Original poster
bumcakes1234 · 16/02/2022 17:04

@Gizacluethen

You should have just let your dog off the lead Ah yes. You should have just let your dog off so it could either fight and potentially die, or run off and get lost and potentially die.

You did the right thing and I'd have been mortified if my dog had behaved like theirs did. Also trying to drag your dog away would have escalated the situation. In dog training we were always told not to pull at the lead in this situation, it makes it worse. You'd have ended up attached to two fighting dog with a baby strapped to you. Keeping your baby up out of the way and using your feet was the best way to direct aggression away from you but also to protect yourself and your dog.

They should have had control of their dogs. End of.

Thank you.
OP posts:
godmum56 · 16/02/2022 17:05

dog owner myself yanbu

Wonnle · 16/02/2022 17:07

I'd have kept on kicking it myself till the owner turned up , but then i hate dogs with a passion and pig ignorant owners who just won't believe that anyone won't like there smelly mutt

Original poster
bumcakes1234 · 16/02/2022 17:08

@Cakelover17

YANBU but I don’t think it was the smartest choice just standing still with your dog, and then kicking the other dog whilst holding a 12 month old, who presumable had limbs sticking out of the carrier (easily biteable). It could have easily caused the dog to attack you/your baby instead. It’s hard to no what to do in those situations though, and the main thing is you, baby and your dog are all ok.

Personally I’d have stuck around to shout at the owner too, they could see you have a child too they were out of order for not reacting more, I wouldn’t be embarrassed if I were you, I’d be furious and wanting to go find out if the dog was going to be around again. You arnt the one who should feel embarrassed at all.

Yes my mum basically said the same, it could have bitten me or tried to bite my baby. At the time I didn't even think of this, I was just trying to get it away.

I feel awkward because they're new neighbours and it's such a bad start. Although I'm very capable of standing up for myself it's not something I enjoy and the last thing I want is for things to be awkward with them because we live right next door (our houses are literally attached to one another)

OP posts:
Marineboy67 · 16/02/2022 17:11

I love dogs and am a complete sucker for them however I've had to do the same in a threatening situation.
Dogs do what they do and sometimes it's the bloody owners that could do with a kick!

Nocutenamesleft · 16/02/2022 17:11

Damn straight

I’ve seen agreesive dogs. Once it’s got hold. You’d never get it off. Saw a very traumatic video in LA where the dog held on for 20 mins

You did everything right. You had a baby in a sling.

I cannot stand people who cannot control their dogs leaving them off a lead. It pisses me off big time!

Jellybean23 · 16/02/2022 17:12

Well done, I'd had done the same. And please don't feel any need to apologise if you see those people again, they should be apologising to you.
Once one of the dogs started attacking, the other three might well have joined in.

Original poster
bumcakes1234 · 16/02/2022 17:12

@Wonnle

I'd have kept on kicking it myself till the owner turned up , but then i hate dogs with a passion and pig ignorant owners who just won't believe that anyone won't like there smelly mutt
Yes I am not like that, I do appreciate some people aren't keen on dogs.

In my job, I used to work for an estate agent and when I'd go to vendors houses you wouldn't believe how many dogs jumped all over me, licked me and their owners did nothing. I actually really like dogs but I don't like my clothes at work being covered in dog hair (and sometimes mud) and my hands covered in dog spit.

Although in those instances I wasn't blaming the dog, it's the owner for teaching their dog that's ok!

OP posts:
Crimesean · 16/02/2022 17:13

You were holding a baby and an on-lead dog! I really don't see what else you could've done.

I blame the owner of the other dog. OK, you have to practise recall somewhere, but it was still technically his/her fault.

anniegun · 16/02/2022 17:14

You should report the attack to the police. Uncontrolled dogs are a menace and the owners need to be brought to account. It could be a child next time

muddyford · 16/02/2022 17:15

My dog was attacked by another dog and the attacker also grabbed my wrist. The lovely policeman, who dealt with the owner, said he always carried a heavy walking stick and had struck several dogs along the length of their skills to protect his dog. Those of us with well-trained and obedient dogs are getting increasingly fed up with owners who, quite frankly, can't be arsed, and will take strong measures to protect our property. Next time I am faced with an aggressive dog I shall be kicking its bloody lights out.

Saltyquiche · 16/02/2022 17:15

The aggressive dog should have been muzzled or on a lead at least. You were frightened for your dog and small baby. I’m not surprised you reacted but best have a plan of action (or inaction) for next time you see the dog.

FantasticFebruary · 16/02/2022 17:16

I don't think YABU exactly, but I wouldn't have done it. Partly just because I'm too soft & couldn't kick a dog. I don't know, maybe if it was actually biting a dig/person, but even then I'm not sure!?

Secondly, because I'd have been worried it would start biting the baby.

I would have shorted st it though and the stupid owners.

WonderfulYou · 16/02/2022 17:17

YABU for kicking it.

If a man/woman came over shouting abuse at you you wouldn’t throw a punch and not expect one back.

Obviously you were in a difficult situation but it makes me shudder thinking how you could have caused the dog to attack you and get your child in the process.

Blocking with your arm, foot, leg etc = fine.
Kicking, punching, antagonising = not fine.

muddyford · 16/02/2022 17:19

Skulls not skills!

ANameChangeAgain · 16/02/2022 17:19

You panicked, which was understandable. Its all very well for the should have, could have, would have comments, but you were protecting your child and under control dog from an out of control dog, and I would have probably done the same.

PanickedE · 16/02/2022 17:20

I think as long as you used reasonable force then you haven’t done much wrong. You were very vulnerable since you had your little one with you

Joystir59 · 16/02/2022 17:20

Totally the other dog owner's fault that her dog ended up getting kicked. You had to look after your own dog.

bollocksthemess · 16/02/2022 17:21

I’ve got a 14 week old puppy, a 3 year old dog and I’m 33 weeks pregnant with twins.
I had my two on leads last week, stood still, sitting next to me when a huge pit-bull looking thing charged at us. It wasn’t being aggressive, but neither could it’s owner get it back to him. I had to grab it by the collar and let my two go to stop 7st of bull breed jumping all over my puppy.

I did kick a spaniel at the weekend that was being aggressive, I only had the puppy with me on the lead that time. It came rushing over snarling, I shouted at it and it backed off and came at my dog again, so I hoofed it in the ribs, hard.
The man with it told me ‘there was no need for that’. I just asked why it was close enough to my on-lead dog for me to kick it if it was under control.

I don’t want to go round kicking dogs, I just want my puppy to be well adjusted and not be attacked. When I was bringing up my older one I lived more rurally and there weren’t as many dogs, and those we came across were well trained. It’s proving harder to manage other people’s dogs round my younger one where we live now.
If either of mine got close enough to an on-lead dog for someone to kick them, it would be entirely my fault for not having proper recall and manners.

SomePosters · 16/02/2022 17:21

I have done this more time than i should have too… once in front of the groom on his wedding day

Im not sorry for any of them though I got shouted at a few times

I only did it when necessary and with minimal force to keep my bitch and my baby safe.

If you don’t want me to kick your dog then best not let it attack my kid or my dog!

Pizzaplanet6 · 16/02/2022 17:22

Was it genuinely “aggressive” or did it barking and running shock you so you reacted? So many people are quick to say a dog is aggressive when it isn’t.

BearSoFair · 16/02/2022 17:22

YANBU. My Sister had to do similar recently when a larger off lead dog came snapping and snarling at her on lead dog.

We don't have a dog but I've been surprised when out with my Sister how many dog owners will just let their off lead dogs go bounding up to others on lead with a merry "it's ok, they're friendly!". They may well be, but the dog they're approaching might not! Sister's dog has a yellow 'NERVOUS' print lead and tags on his harness but a surprising number of other owners ignore them!

MrsTimRiggins · 16/02/2022 17:29

Well it is what it is, we’re all protective over our babies but I wouldn’t have said your reaction was likely to calm the situation, were the dog inclined to attack.
As an aside, and what’s really annoyed me about this thread, even if it’s ‘just’ fields, dogs shouldn’t be off lead (unless it’s the dog owners field in which case, stop yer trespassing 😂 ) especially dogs who have no bloody recall. The attitude that it’s fine because you don’t see people is annoying to me, I’m bothered about the livestock myself.

Wishihadanalgorithm · 16/02/2022 17:30

OP, I’m a dog owner and I think you have nothing to be concerned about. The idiots who can’t control their vicious dog should be more concerned. You protected your dog and I know I would have done the same.

I hate aresholes like these people who have no control over their vicious dogs. Maybe this will teach them to keep their dog on the lead in future.

MissMaple82 · 16/02/2022 17:31

Don't worry... as long as you didn't act like a maniac and cause physical harm. If I was the neighbour, I wouldn't be offended under the circumstances.