To think that it’s unacceptable to let your dog run free outside with no supervision?

[januaryfiles]

Name changed for this post.

There’s a house near to where I live (about a minutes walk) which has dogs. I frequently walk past this house walking by myself and also with my puppy. One of their dogs - a collie - is allowed to run out of their front gate and onto an adjacent grassy area, as well as across a road and up to a nearby business. Granted, the road is a dead end but still has a fair amount of traffic due to the business, people driving to walk their dog, as well as lorry drivers parking up overnight. To begin with I thought it was a one-off or at least a rare occurrence, but it has become clear that it is regular.

It has run up to me (stopping about 10ft away) and barked and growled until I left. I presume it’s guarding what it thinks is its territory, however this is public land! If it was barking and growling in its own garden then fair enough - not the nicest to walk past but I get that some dogs are reactive so it is what it is. I’ve witnessed a car drive along the road, pulling onto the grass to park about 80m away from the front gate where the collie gets out and it’s run straight to the car, stopping again about 10ft away, barking and growling.

I met the owner tonight for the first time (I’ve seen this dog over 10 times for context) as she was in the garden and asked her to call her dog back. Apparently the public area is the “dog’s garden” and no-one has brought up any issue before, and it has never growled (implying that I’m lying). I reminded her of the fact that dogs must be under control at all times and if she is unaware of what her dog is doing when it is running free, then it’s not under control.

I can only imagine how it would feel if you were walking along with your child and met this dog. I don’t think it would bite because I think it’s guarding and also fearful, but it also seems unpredictable so I wouldn’t trust it. Also from the point of view of welfare of the dog; I feel really bad :( it isn’t the dog’s fault at all but it’s being put at risk of being hit by a car or running up to the wrong person who reacts out of fear or whatever. I have a dog and I could never ever put him at risk like that, not voluntarily. I understand accidents happen where fences are jumped or whatever, but the gate is open for it to go in and out.

I’m not sure if I’m being unreasonable because I’m autistic and so I sometimes focus on the rules too much, and this experience has shaken me up quite a bit.

I'm also a dog owner and definitely do not think this is ok. The owner is massively putting the dog at risk, it could so easily get run over. I also agree that the dog should be under control when in public and not just roaming around for everyone's safety. We have a similar sounding match of grass outside our house and I'd never let my dog play out there.

@Dinglewoop thank you, it’s very reassuring to read that you have the same point of view. I get it, it’s a great open space, but the risks are too high imo.

It's not okay. Dogs should be under control in a public place.

Report it to your council and 101.

definitely not ok either from a welfare perspective or from a public safety (or intimidation) perspective.

I've seen this before with farms - one I know puts a cone out, presumably to mark the division between their "bit of road" and the area it is on which is by a road with a footpath. They have multiple dogs who come out barking to defend their patch, but mostly stop at the cone and make sure you pass along before going back in.

I wouldn't personally let my dog play in the front garden, ever, but then I am on a road with quite fast moving traffic. I think it might be like cats; some are indoor cats, some are outdoor cats, some will wear a collar and some won't but if you are in the country and live on a farm they are there for a purpose. Often it is hard for non-country folk to adjust to these things but I may be making assumptions on the area here.

Not saying it is right btw, and I agree with other posters they are putting their dog at risk. Not just from cars but from passers by who may report it.

We had something similar near us and I actually caught the dog the first time I saw it and knocked on the nearby houses until
someone identified the owner’s house and the owner gruffly took the dog off me and shut the door. I see from our local
FB that when this dog is reported as being found by someone assuming it is ‘lost’ then locals say it just roams and not to worry. I think it’s unacceptable and dangerous for the dog and passing motorists etc.

however in the village I grew up this was very common and our neighbours dogs used to walk together off to the country park a couple of miles away and then come back when they were hungry/tired! All very Enid Blyton.

Yanbu. The dog-owner was a dick.

Unsupervised dogs running free and growling in his face is why my child has become terrified of dogs. And the fat owner huffing and puffing on the horizon shouting “Don’t worry, he’s friendly” or “He’s only a puppy” doesn’t count as supervision.

100% YANBU. I can't fathom why some people do it. No-one is EVER in full control of their dog. They think they are. They're not.

Unless it's private farmland (in which case free ranging collies are the norm) then you need to report as it's a legal requirement to keep your dog under control. That said I had an escape artist of a dog who took himself on late night adventures, mostly to guard my neighbours chickens chasing off the evil foxes (she welcomed him, gave him treats which didn't help!) so I would say always tell an owner their dog is out, especially collies as they are a pain for escaping but returning before you realise they got out

yanbu, anything could have happened.

YANBU. Some people will never learn though

From the government's website. This is per the Dangerous Dogs Act.
You are not being unreasonable to want to walk without a dog roaming free in a public place growling and barking at you.

Argh, wrong photo

Dog owner, trainer, behaviourist...

Not in any way ok, at all. Dog is out of control, its likely causing you reasonable apprehension of injury, thats an offence.

However getting the owner to see that is another matter - you could speak to your dog warden, if you can track them down.

My route would be to walk past armed with high value treats and lob them into the dogs garden, luring the dog back where it should be, away from me, and hopefully giving the dog a positive association with my presence, reducing the chances of an aggressive encounter in future.

This is potentially not something the owner will like and yes the dog may have food allergies or all sorts - not my problem, nor yours. If she wishes to avoid this, she can keep her dog secured on her own property.