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Original poster

Worried about this XL bully

154 replies

brookie26 · 29/09/2023 16:18

We often park our car the back of our house rather than the front as we live on a busy lane. This means our back door is basically our front and we leave through the back majority of the time.

Anyway, today I was leaving my house to pick DC up. There are 2 women walking with an XL bully off the lead. The dog wasn't displaying any aggressive behaviour but I was still really cautious and got in my car quickly.

It turns out the dog lives on the street behind us as it entered via a back gate a few doors down at the bottom of our backstreet.

What worries me is the fact I have a 4 year old who will often run off as soon as we leave the house. I'm forever telling him not to run off in case of cars coming etc but he doesn't listen. I would hate for us to be leaving the house and the dog be there again, off the lead.

Am I worrying about nothing here?

OP posts:
YourNameGoesHere · 29/09/2023 16:30

brookie26 · 29/09/2023 16:28

@TomatoSandwiches Wouldn't see the point of using a harness just to walk a few steps to the car. Plus we've tried them in the past and he hates them.

The problem is the owners of dangerous dogs not leashing their dog

Your son is just as likely to run up to the dog on a lead if he's not under your control. The dog being on a lead will make absolutely no difference if your child is impulsive and a bolter.

WetWetBottomOnTheNightBus · 29/09/2023 16:30

Have the owners confirmed it's an XL to you?

TomatoSandwiches · 29/09/2023 16:31

No the problem is you need to ensure your sons safety by finding a way to not let him run off.
I don't like the fact that dogs can be off lead in public or residential areas, but you can not control that right now.
What you can do and really should do is find a way to keep your son safe from roads and cars.

Original poster
brookie26 · 29/09/2023 16:31

@WetWetBottomOnTheNightBus Can't be 100% sure, but to me it looks a lot like one. It was a very big, stocky dog and had all the characteristics of one

OP posts:
Flyingfup · 29/09/2023 16:31

We have some near us. I have talked with DC about appropriate behaviour, such as not running around when these dogs are out. XL Bullies are related to pitbulls, so have a strong prey drive that can be triggered.

Have lived in the US and know parents there who have similar talks. It is very different from a guard dog, that is unlikely to take off on the street. If an XL Bully is triggered most people cannot restrain them.

Goldfish41 · 29/09/2023 16:32

Dogs go for small children. I’ve had three target mine aggressively (while I’ve been holding his hand tightly) in the past year, none of them were even XL bullies, so given the strength and aggression of this breed I would say you are right to be concerned. I can’t believe that anyone would call you ridiculous for that, the consequences would be so devastating if anything happened. And given the current news, the fact that these owners are STILL walking their bully off the lead doesn’t suggest they are the most responsible or considerate.

Original poster
brookie26 · 29/09/2023 16:32

So most of the time I do hold DS hand and guide him into the car which is close proximity anyway. But either way, the dog would still get to us? So I can't really stop it can I? Just have to hope the dog is well trained/doesn't turn aggressive. Responsible dog ownership should be making sure your dog is on a lead in my opinion.

OP posts:
AtrociousCircumstance · 29/09/2023 16:33

Report. The dog needs to be on a leash at all times in residential areas.

sallyannie22 · 29/09/2023 16:33

I don't think you're being ridiculous at all given the bad press at the moment. I feel like a lot of owners are trying to make a point by deliberately not putting their dogs on a lead just to prove how well behaved they are. Which they may well be.

However I don't think it's unreasonable to be nervous if you see one. I'd feel the same. Firstly you don't know the dog, secondly nobody knows if or when a dog may turn and thirdly if it did turn the owners had not one bit of control over it. They are idiots and as much as I like some bull breeds I will be chuffed when this particular brand of them get banned for good, they are awful.

Original poster
brookie26 · 29/09/2023 16:34

I just can't understand why the owners would think it was ok to be walking the dog in public with no lead. Near 2 bloody primary schools as well at school pick up time. My son isn't the problem here I don't believe

OP posts:
KajsaKavat · 29/09/2023 16:34

ANY dog off the head is worrying and annoying but one that can kill you obviously way life so.
o really hope all of this leads to debate and stricter rules for dog ownership in the future, it’s ridiculous now.

Original poster
brookie26 · 29/09/2023 16:35

I feel the owners should be told to leash their dog if out in public. It's an accident waiting to happen in my opinion

OP posts:
Tlolljs · 29/09/2023 16:36

Right so the dog shouldn’t be on a lead but the child should be on reins?
Thats bullshit.

YourNameGoesHere · 29/09/2023 16:37

brookie26 · 29/09/2023 16:34

I just can't understand why the owners would think it was ok to be walking the dog in public with no lead. Near 2 bloody primary schools as well at school pick up time. My son isn't the problem here I don't believe

The trouble is any dog on or off lead could react to your child if he ran at it. Whilst all dogs should be on a lead when being walked in busy areas unfortunately you do need to accept that the responsibility of keeping your child safe is yours and even if he doesn't always run into the road the fact you know he does it and haven't mitigated this risk is unreasonable.

YourNameGoesHere · 29/09/2023 16:38

Tlolljs · 29/09/2023 16:36

Right so the dog shouldn’t be on a lead but the child should be on reins?
Thats bullshit.

The answer can be both.

Yes the dog should be on a lead.

And

Yes the child should be on reins.

Both would be sensible.

Travelfan2021 · 29/09/2023 16:38

This reply has been withdrawn

Removed at poster's request due to privacy concerns.

LolaJ87 · 29/09/2023 16:38

brookie26 · 29/09/2023 16:32

So most of the time I do hold DS hand and guide him into the car which is close proximity anyway. But either way, the dog would still get to us? So I can't really stop it can I? Just have to hope the dog is well trained/doesn't turn aggressive. Responsible dog ownership should be making sure your dog is on a lead in my opinion.

It doesn't negate that the owner should have their dog on a lead but there is some major irony in you complaining about it.

Perhaps you should be a responsible parent and keep your child from running into roads/traffic or approaching strange animals be they on a lead or not? That is up to you. You can stop that, and do something proactive to keep your child safe instead instead of imagining far more likely unlikely dog attacks.

Travelfan2021 · 29/09/2023 16:38

This reply has been withdrawn

Removed at poster's request due to privacy concerns.

geekone · 29/09/2023 16:39

Quoted below

MariePaperRoses · 29/09/2023 16:39

There is cause for concern.

Stop letting your four year old charge ahead where he could antagonise a perfectly innocent dog and hurt it.

Honestly, get a grip and leave the poor dog alone.

geekone · 29/09/2023 16:40

WetWetBottomOnTheNightBus · 29/09/2023 16:30

Have the owners confirmed it's an XL to you?

I wondered this too? It’s very difficult as XL bully’s don’t have a specific breed characteristic that can be referenced. How is the OP sure it’s not a wee staffy or a boxer mix??

Thementalloadisreal · 29/09/2023 16:41

It’s perfectly reasonable to worry about any dog, also cars etc. There’s a lot we can’t control in the world. All we can do is encourage DC to be cautious and careful eg. Not running off.

jiinglebells · 29/09/2023 16:42

You can't control all external factors (even when people are doing things they shouldn't be!) but you can work on control with your child and keeping him as safe as you can - that "XL Bully" could be any other danger that he's potentially going to run into.

MissFancyDay · 29/09/2023 16:42

You are right to be cautious about the dog but your child is in much more danger from cars. You need to hold his hand or carry him, all the time, around roads if he darts off.

Simonjt · 29/09/2023 16:43

Well as the dog can’t drive its unlikely to run over your son, if your son is a runner you need to either hand hold, reins or pushchair, otherwise he is at risk of being run over, he is also at risk of running upto dogs. Allowing a child free access to a road is not prioritising their safety.