Another dog one....

[Dingdongdog]

Walking back from school run today and a German shepherd jumped up at me, I thought it was going to bite me but owner managed to pull him back but not before he slobbered all over me in what seemed a fairly hostile way. I was getting something from my pocket and wondered if he thought I had a treat. Owner said nothing.

If it had been 10 minutes before it might have been my daughter's face and she is bloody terrified of dogs as it is ( due to being continuously approached by them in the village that we live)

As I walked away I went to put my hand down and realized I was covered in dog slobber and as I came to I thought "Nah, that's not on".

I therefore walked back up the road to find the owner and said, politely but firmly "I'm really sorry but I just realized I'm covered in your dogs slobber, I just wonder if maybe he should be muzzled if he's that strong- if it had been 10 minutes earlier it could have been my daughter and could be much worse."

The guy looked fairly timid so left it at that, just thought I needed to do something- if the guy had disciplined the dog at the time and shown concern I would have felt reassured and wouldn't have stalled him up the high street.

I have a touch of the guilts/ I'm not particularly fond of confrontation and I'm also interested to see what others may have said/ done and if my idea of the muzzle is totally ludicrous in this situation.

Anyway was in your opinion, was I being unreasonable?

I agree with PP that it probably wasn't being aggressive. Sounds like it was looking for a treat or saying hello. Of course that doesn't mean it's acceptable or a pleasant experience for you, dog should definitely be on a lead at least if it can't be trusted not to do this. I think it was fine to say something to the owner but probably would of been better to do it straight away but I get that you were shocked. Hope it doesn't happen to you again OP!

Spitting at someone is classed as assault. Dog slobber is not.

It should be. It's disgusting and an awful thing yo happen to someone.

I'm so happy to hear from another Bullmastiff lover , I've had four and they are just the best dogs ever

Then I might gently suggest that someone who finds dog slobber such an awful thing might need to get some help to get by in life.

Someone purposely spitting at another person is disgusting. Dogs are not doing it on purpose.

🤣

hello, what’s your emergency?

Come quick, I’ve been assaulted by dog slobber!

They’ll be right there🤣

No the owner should be prosecuted. They are supposed to keep the dog under control.

And their salivary glands too?

😆

Doesn't matter if it was aggressive or not. A big bloody dog jumped up on you, and nearly pushed you on the road.

Why do some people think this is ok and even funny!!?

Hostile Slobber, the name of my punk band.

Totally agree, I just sometimes wish she realised she isn't a lap dog!!!

😂😂brilliant!

Ah talking of slobbering and frothing it's raised @kitsuneghost one of the resident dog haters . This was a non event OP. Are you that bored?

I like dogs and I own a dog but yanbu to be pissed off that a big dog got close enough to you to make any sort of contact.

What you encountered was a shit owner who thankfully had a friendly dog.

I have a small dog but I don't allow him to approach strangers because I get that not everyone likes dogs!

Talk about whataboutery!!
A slobbery jumpy dog; 10 mins sooner and it could have been my CHILD!!
Hostile slobbers
Nearly knocked me into road
Jacket in its mouth
You sound like a right drama queen, no longer your child is scared.

Non-event.

YABU to have passed on your irrational fear of dogs to your DD. You’ve made life much harder for her than it needs to be.

The law states injury, not bite, in relation to dog offences. This can be a bite, scratch, bruise, mark on the skin.
An offence does not have to have an injury caused. The law describes it as reasonable apprehension of injury.

If a dog runs up to someone, snaps at someone, nips them or attempts to jump up at them - then there could be reasonable apprehension of injury. The OPs description might be seen as reasonable apprehension of injury.

The owner is clearly not aware of the law or of their responsibilities regarding being in charge of a dog.

Dog offences where a dog has caused injury is one of strict liability. So if someone says I thought the dog was going to hurt me - that’s the offence. Where the dog has caused injury (scratch, marked skin, bite etc) then the offence is one of strict liability.

In regards to the OP being unhappy that the owner didn’t reprimand the dog at the time - the owner should not reprimand or
use punishment techniques for ‘disciplining’ the dog. The owner sounds like they need to train the dog using positive reinforcement strategies and have a better understanding of the responsibilities of dog ownership in relation to dog law.

Yep, course this happened…..🙄

If a dog jumps up at you and makes contact or makes you fear a bite, it’s classified as a dog attack and the dog as a dangerous dog. It’s the same as if a human came up and assaulted you. The dog owner is responsible for the assault because the dog is out of control. The dog and owner should be reported to the local dog warden. Young children and women are the ones who most often require plastic surgery as a result of dog attacks. Men tend to be bitten on the arm, children and women on the face. Good luck getting information from the offending owner and getting hold of a warden, but the law’s on your side. Assault is a criminal act - even by dogs.

As many pp have shown my understanding of the law is correct.

Dog owners who think dogs touching people is in any way funny are the problem. Nasty people. Usual suspects on this thread, they literally hate humans and have no respect for others at all. They genuinely think dogs are equal or better than humans.

If humans spitting is assault then a dogs mouth on you most certainly is a worse one.

No one should be slobbered over (without consent). Dogs do this as they believe you are friendly & happy to be jumped over. Forget the owner-tell the dog no firmly and they usually back off. Owners can be a bit funny about you shouting at their dog but they need to learn as well.

Maybe or maybe they are trying to kill you. Have you seen their mouths with fangs? Their tongues? Ew.

Get a grip will you ffs