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AIBU?

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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:
HeBeaverandSheBeaver · 29/09/2023 16:44

If your son is running off and is in danger of cars I'd say that more of a worry than the dog at this present time.

Lavender14 · 29/09/2023 16:44

I don't think you're being ridiculous. The dog could have been exceptionally well trained but bully breeds are known for their impulsivity and strong prey drive. Any responsible owner will know this and be actively working on that consistently because that's what those dogs require, same as collies need herding stimulation and spaniels need to 'flush'. You work with your own dogs natural bred instinct. For that reason I would be concerned at an owner having that particular breed off leash in the street where it could be surprised by children/ other animals etc. It demonstrates a lack of understanding of the breeds traits and is leaving the dog open to making mistakes.

Original poster
brookie26 · 29/09/2023 16:46

I'm not saying my child runs off every single time we leave the house. I hand hold as much as possible and will continue to do so, but regardless the dog could still easily get to him if it's not on a lead.

It's not only my son I worry about, it's the fact there's primary aged school children around my area which the dog could easily target

OP posts:
AtrociousCircumstance · 29/09/2023 16:47

The dog needs to be on a lead at all times. Please report.

howtowriteahaiku · 29/09/2023 16:47

There are weird answers on here. So four year olds aren’t allowed to run excitedly out of their house any more? We have to constantly keep them close by at all times in case a dog attacks? No, it’s up to owners to keep their dogs away from children especially young ones who may have unpredictable behaviour or antagonise a dog without realising they’re doing so. They’re not mature enough to know 100% how to behave in all circumstances but does that mean we should constantly have them on reins? I think dog owners have to be aware and not allow their dog into a situation where they could be provoked (they should keep them on a leash or keep them away from kids).
I would be nervous too about a dog like that, but I think all you can do is be very wary and take care of your kid as best you can. many of these dogs will be well trained and cause no issues but how do you know?
maybe try and strike up a conversation with the owner and ask how their dog is with kids. You might get more of an understanding of whether the dog is trained etc.

LolaJ87 · 29/09/2023 16:47

brookie26 · 29/09/2023 16:46

I'm not saying my child runs off every single time we leave the house. I hand hold as much as possible and will continue to do so, but regardless the dog could still easily get to him if it's not on a lead.

It's not only my son I worry about, it's the fact there's primary aged school children around my area which the dog could easily target

You have a very active imagination but you should probably put it to better use.

Grapewrath · 29/09/2023 16:49

If your child is running out without you being in control of him, a local dog which has not shown any aggression is the least of your worries.
I say this as a ASD parent- you need to properly supervise and manage your child before a serous accident happens

Original poster
brookie26 · 29/09/2023 16:50

@Grapewrath Just because the dog wasn't showing aggression at this time doesn't mean it won't

OP posts:
YourNameGoesHere · 29/09/2023 16:50

There are weird answers on here. So four year olds aren’t allowed to run excitedly out of their house any more? We have to constantly keep them close by at all times in case a dog attacks?

No four year olds who have no sense of danger should absolutely not be allowed to run excited out the house and into a road irrespective of whether there is a dog there. Not sure why that's a weird viewpoint.... Hmm

FOJN · 29/09/2023 16:52

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.

Depends whether the safety of your child or being right is more important to you.

Yes the dog should be on a lead but OP cannot control that. She can takes steps to make sure her child doesn't bolt towards the dog.

Arightoldcarryabag · 29/09/2023 16:52

I think it's better off the lead. At least that way there's no false sense that the owners may actually be in control.
These owners probably realise trying to restrain the dog is futile so at least you all know as well.
Exercise caution but no need to worry unduly, yes they are dangerous but that doesn't mean they are all going to hurt someone for no reason.

MissFancyDay · 29/09/2023 16:53

brookie26 · 29/09/2023 16:46

I'm not saying my child runs off every single time we leave the house. I hand hold as much as possible and will continue to do so, but regardless the dog could still easily get to him if it's not on a lead.

It's not only my son I worry about, it's the fact there's primary aged school children around my area which the dog could easily target

Oh for heaven sake, he doesn't have to run off every time, it only takes once. Keep him secured.

Original poster
brookie26 · 29/09/2023 16:54

I'll keep my child secure as best as I can. Just worries me that there's other kids playing in the area, would hate for there to be a fatal accident just because a dog is allowed to do whatever it wants

OP posts:
PepsiMadMax · 29/09/2023 16:56

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.

I agree with this.

OP you’re responsible for the safety of your child and why I can see why you’re wary of an XL Bully I’d be keeping my child close to me tbh. If he runs it may chase and I wouldn’t have any of my children bolt near a road, I’d rather have reins they didn’t like than a dead or injured child.

On another note, I can’t wait until the (hopefully strict) guidance comes into force and those XL Bully abominations have to be muzzled and have to be under proper control. The same conditions should apply to any other dogs over a 20kg imo like Spain.

Queucumber · 29/09/2023 17:00

Labradors are over 20kg. Are they a risk?

Queucumber · 29/09/2023 17:02

Lots of pit bulls are under 20kg.

FOJN · 29/09/2023 17:04

howtowriteahaiku · 29/09/2023 16:47

There are weird answers on here. So four year olds aren’t allowed to run excitedly out of their house any more? We have to constantly keep them close by at all times in case a dog attacks? No, it’s up to owners to keep their dogs away from children especially young ones who may have unpredictable behaviour or antagonise a dog without realising they’re doing so. They’re not mature enough to know 100% how to behave in all circumstances but does that mean we should constantly have them on reins? I think dog owners have to be aware and not allow their dog into a situation where they could be provoked (they should keep them on a leash or keep them away from kids).
I would be nervous too about a dog like that, but I think all you can do is be very wary and take care of your kid as best you can. many of these dogs will be well trained and cause no issues but how do you know?
maybe try and strike up a conversation with the owner and ask how their dog is with kids. You might get more of an understanding of whether the dog is trained etc.

Edited

No you keep an excitable child within reach of you at all times whenever you are near traffic, unless of course you are unconcerned about them being killed.

No, it’s up to owners to keep their dogs away from children especially young ones who may have unpredictable behaviour or antagonise a dog without realising they’re doing so.

If only it was that simple. I've had a child of about 7 deliberately "jump scare" and scream in my dog's face whilst the parents smiled on indulgently. My dog was at least 6 feet from the child, on the opposite side of me, on a short lead and walking to heel. I thought the child was just moving position on a bench and the next thing I know he's cut across my path and is screaming in my dog's face. Feel free to tell me how I was responsible for that.

PrtScn · 29/09/2023 17:04

Queucumber · 29/09/2023 17:00

Labradors are over 20kg. Are they a risk?

They're the ones statistically more likely to bite as well.
I hate labs. My Staffie has been attacked 3 times by off lead labs.

Cowlover89 · 29/09/2023 17:05

PrtScn · 29/09/2023 17:04

They're the ones statistically more likely to bite as well.
I hate labs. My Staffie has been attacked 3 times by off lead labs.

Show quote history

Nothing wrong with labs.

Fireisland · 29/09/2023 17:06

YANBU and I can't believe the responses on this thread. I wouldn't want my child anywhere near an off lead XL bully.

Can you start parking at the front and using the front door instead, I'd be avoiding my back lane if I knew there was an XL bully in the vicinity.

Bananalanacake · 29/09/2023 17:06

I'm sure XL bullies weren't around when I was a kid in the 80s, so how do they suddenly spring from nowhere, or are they closely related to another type of bulldog? Sorry about my lack of knowledge, never been a dog person.

Balloonhearts · 29/09/2023 17:07

So your only reason for thinking this dog is dangerous is that it was large and stocky? A trait it shares with dozens of breeds. It literally did nothing but walk past. Showed no interest in you or your child whatsoever and certainly didn't try to 'get at him.' The hysteria on here is ridiculous.

Jesus Christ, stop the planet, I want to get off...

PrtScn · 29/09/2023 17:07

Cowlover89 · 29/09/2023 17:05

Nothing wrong with labs.

Show quote history

No it's the owners probably. For letting their labs off the lead when they have absolutely no recall. Then they shout "they're friendly" 5 seconds before it attacks my on lead Staffie.

Original poster
brookie26 · 29/09/2023 17:08

@Balloonhearts Nothing to say it wouldn't in the future. I mean look at that poor 10 year old boy who was innocently playing football outside his house until one ran past, turned and then savaged him. Not to mention all the other attacks which have happened recently.

OP posts:
Missingmyusername · 29/09/2023 17:08

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

If your son is free running aren’t you under any obligation to control your child? The dog could be on a lead and your child is going to run up to it potentially.

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