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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to be annoyed about a dog roaming free near play park

58 replies

saffy56 · 12/11/2022 11:28

AIBU to think a rottweiler dog should not be able to roam free?? We have a fab play park near us but there is a rottweiler that lives very close by and on nice days he is left to roam free . He is a well known dog and everyone says he is lovely and wouldn't hurt anyone but because of his size my kids are really scared of him and it is stopping them being able to go the park with their friends.

OP posts:
NuffSaidSam · 12/11/2022 11:30

YANBU

It's completely unacceptable and I would report it. I'm not sure who to....the council? The RSPCA? The police? Whoever is in charge of dogs that could be dangerous.

EmmaGrundyForPM · 12/11/2022 11:30

It depends on what the rules for the park are. Our local play area is on a large playing field, and there are signs saying dogs must be kept on. lead.

yellowstickerbargain · 12/11/2022 11:31

Well trained dog with good recall are fine off lead in parks, but not on the actual playground area. You say near the playground so I'm going to assume it's not within the playground so YABU. It being a Rottweiler is irrelevant. That's just bad press.

Boomboom22 · 12/11/2022 11:32

Without the owner? Def check your council website for a dog warden. That's really bad if it's just out on it's own.

SoupDragon · 12/11/2022 11:32

Roaming free with no owner nearby?

ClocksGoingBackwards · 12/11/2022 11:35

If the owner is present and the dog has been trained well, it’s fine.

caramac04 · 12/11/2022 11:35

Without the owner? Absolutely not ok. Apart from not being under the control of the owner there is the chance it will poo. A large amount.
With the owner? That is ok. Maybe see if you can introduce your dc to the dog. Despite their fearsome reputation, most Rottweilers are very gentle.

Alexandernevermind · 12/11/2022 11:36

No dog should be roaming free. Op mentioned breed because of the damage they are capable of (despite them being a notoriously gentle dog). Apart from the obvious human risk the dog itself could get stolen, hit by a car, attacked by another dog etc. Get the council dog warden to speak to the owners.

Original poster
saffy56 · 12/11/2022 11:38

He doesn't actually go in the play park as that is fenced off he just wanders around the field where the play park is and a couple of streets near by. Has been going on for years apparently, as his owners now have mobility issues so they are no longer able to walk him. People say my kids should just man up as he isn't a problem. I am just annoyed because it is stopping them being able to meet their friends - park is very popular with kids as they all love the dog, both mine have always been a bit wary of dogs and this dog is huge if you don't have a dog or know many people with big dogs he can be very intimidating.

OP posts:
GetThatHelmetOn · 12/11/2022 11:38

No owner, call the door warden.

Roaming free against the rules of the park, ditto.

No park rules and owner present, go to the park with your children if you feel anxious about the dog.

PaperBlinds · 12/11/2022 11:38

Did you mean the dog is off lead and owner is around or that it is unaccompanied?

Off lead, if off lead is allowed - there is not much you can do. Ut you should have clear rules for park arrangements. However, no one enforced them and park staff have no powers.

Unaccompanied and just wandering around on its own, is not on and you could report.

unknown10 · 12/11/2022 11:39

Any dog off the lead is an out of control dog. No dog or any animal can be trusted 100%

I would report to the local council, dog warden, police etc

I've no time for selfish, lazy, irresponsible dog owners

Notimeforaname · 12/11/2022 11:41

Any dog off the lead is an out of control dog. No dog or any animal can be trusted 100%

I would report to the local council, dog warden, police etc

I've no time for selfish, lazy, irresponsible dog owners

Are dogs not allowed to be off leads in public anymore?

unknown10 · 12/11/2022 11:43

ClocksGoingBackwards · 12/11/2022 11:35

If the owner is present and the dog has been trained well, it’s fine.

I know a police officer that got a call to a house, the family dog had attacked a baby

The officer was greeted by the dog standing in the hallway with just the baby's head in it's mouth

No dog can be trusted 100%. Anybody who trusts a dog 100% is a fool

YellowTreeHouse · 12/11/2022 11:44

Every single time I saw that dog on its own I’d ring the dog warden. I’d also continually report to RSPCA that they were unfit to look after the dog.

GreenWheat · 12/11/2022 11:45

If the owners are incapable of accompanying their dog, they need to pay for a dog walker. Aside from the safety perspective, who is clearing up its poo?

OnlyFannys · 12/11/2022 11:45

OP you need to be clear if he dog owner is present or not, whether its acceptable depends on this.

CryCeratops · 12/11/2022 11:47

If the dog’s off lead and unaccompanied by the owner, that’s unacceptable.
Even it’s the least dangerous dog in the world, who’s going to pick up its poo? Not sure who you’d report this to though.

YellowTreeHouse · 12/11/2022 11:48

OnlyFannys · 12/11/2022 11:45

OP you need to be clear if he dog owner is present or not, whether its acceptable depends on this.

She has. She’s said they have mobility issues and cannot walk their dog anymore, so they just let it roam free.

VickyEadieofThigh · 12/11/2022 11:50

Allowing a dog to roam because the owners cannot walk it is unacceptable. I'd report it to the dog warden.

OnlyFannys · 12/11/2022 11:51

YellowTreeHouse · 12/11/2022 11:48

She has. She’s said they have mobility issues and cannot walk their dog anymore, so they just let it roam free.

Show quote history

I wasnt clear if she meant they had mobility issues so dont walk it on the lead just watch as it wanders around or if they just let it out and leave it be

Trees6 · 12/11/2022 11:52

I’m sorry to read of the owner’s mobility problem but this is not a reason to allow their dog to roam unsupervised. I’m a dog lover but I wouldn’t trust any dog completely. They need to employ a walker.

Your children absolutely don’t need to “man up” and yanbu about this particular topic, but it may be worth addressing their fear of dogs.

bloodyeverlastinghell · 12/11/2022 11:53

back in the 80s it was completely normal on our estate for people to let the dog out. It’d go for a walk and come back. Times have changed. My dog is lovingly walked of course.

Original poster
saffy56 · 12/11/2022 12:00

No one else seems to bat an eyelid as it has been going on for a good few years apparently. When the kids were smaller we used to go to more local parks this one is great but is a good 25 min walk but it is where all their friends now go. My DD is really scared but all her friends are walking there this afternoon and she is too scared to walk with them because you usually meet the dog on the way.

Maybe I am over reacting as no one else seems to have a problem so she either has to overcome her fear or find friends that go to different parks!!

I think I will report it and see what happens.

OP posts:
Cw112 · 12/11/2022 12:05

I'm very much of the belief that a well trained, well socialised dog with solid recall is fine off leash but as an owner you need to be present to make sure you can recall your dog before something goes wrong. Could be as simple as another reactive dog being off leash in the same vicinity or that dog going to say hello to a leashed dog that might result in a dog fight. The owners issues don't really matter, they could hire a dog walker or get family/ friends to supervise the dog. I would call the dog warden if there was a dog roaming off leash unattended no matter how lovely their nature. Its for the dog warden to speak to the owners about and figure out a better arrangement with them. Doesn't matter what the breed or location is.