To put a post on local FB about man and aggressive out of control dog?

[DogIssues]

I probably ABU so I thought I would post here first instead, as I know Mumsnet will put me right if I am. Also to let of steam!

My dog was just attacked by an off lead dog. Totally unprovoked - I heard snarling and then a few seconds later it burst through a hedge and went berserk at my dog, who was literally just standing there minding his own business. It jumped on on him aggressively, snarling and barking and ended up flipping my dog onto his back, causing him to squeal in pain. Then it tried to come back for another go so I got in the way and chased it off. My dog is a pretty big breed (but a total softie and not an aggressive bone in his body). The other dog was Labrador-sized I would say (looked this type of breed but maybe a mix). My dog seems OK, but very shaken. I would hate to see how a smaller dog may have faired.

A man then appeared with a very lackluster sorry. He didn't really seem that bothered. Although as he was nowhere nearby I don't think he saw what actually happened. But he must have heard the noises and my reaction.

I told him he shouldn't have such an aggressive dog off lead and all he said was "Oh he's alright". I told him it absolutely wasn't OK and described what had happened. He didn't say anything else and kept on walking. I note he didn't put his dog on the lead.

I may have shouted some choice words after him. And I was so cross with his total lack of reaction to his dog being so aggressive that I took a couple of pictures of him and the dog.

I may be over reacting, but it was horrible. And now I am pondering posting the photos on my local FB page to worn others (it's a popular place to dog walk). But maybe that would be a twatty thing to do?

I think if the man had seemed in any way genuinely concerned about his dogs behaviour, and put it on the lead, I might not have been left feeling quite so cross. But as it is I am left feeling very annoyed (and a little bit shaken as it was quite scary how aggressive the dog was, I have lived with and been around dogs all my life and never seen anything like it!).

What would be your aim in posting the photos? Other than some sort of revenge?

I would report to the police.

It would assume so others know this dog is dangerous and to keep well away. People do this regularly on our local Facebook page and it is helpful. I have a small breed dog that would easily be pinned by a bigger breed and I know of 2 local aggressive dogs thanks to Facebook that I will cross the road to avoid or leave the park if I see them off lead.

Yes, that.

How is warning them going to help? How can they protect themselves from put of control dogs leaping out of bushes? I think if you post it it could just as easily be done with out the photos if it were genuinely a warning

Dog warden and police but our local fb page is full of photos and warnings from people and animals affected by off lead attacks

I would. There's been posts like that on my local FB and WhatsApp groups. You'll probably find you're not the first person to have a problem with this dog. One particular man in my village has thankfully learned he is not welcome at the park and takes his dangerous dogs elsewhere now.

I thought of that briefly, but then I wasn't really sure there was much point as I don't know who he is. And also the police probably wouldn't care as my dog hasn't been injured, thankfully. Seemed like police may be an overreaction.

Report to police.

Don't go down the Facebook route it won't end well

The dog won’t always be in those bushes though, it will most likely be off lead in local parks etc. and if local people are aware of what dogs to look out for they can take steps to avoid them.

OP the police won’t do anything unless someone is injured but your local dog warden should be able to keep it on file in case of other reports about the same dog.

When you say the dog “attacked” but your dog wasn’t hurt what exactly happened? So many people say, “This dog came over and attacked my dog”. It obviously didn’t “attack” or there would be injuries.

The dog probably saw your dog and came over for a nosy. That’s what most dogs do - unless on a lead or taught to stay with its owner.

Annoying - yes of course. Attack - nope.

I see these posts all the time. It think it’s fine to post, people like to be warned, someone may recognise him, and it leaves a trail if the police do get involved.
Someone posted a pic yesterday of someone badly treating a dog - the police have tracked them down already, so it can have a good outcome.
I’ve never seen these posts end badly, comments are always in support of the poster.

This happened to us, expect our dog was hurt and needed vet treatment and my husband was bitten. A husky appeared off lead out of nowhere in our drive and started attacking our cockapoo who was on a lead! My husband had to fight it off twice and hide in a neighbours shed. He is convinced it would have killed our dog if he hadn’t managed to kick and punch it off,scoop her up and get to safety.We had a witness who provided their details and the police couldn’t have given less of a shit. Said until we found out the owner they’d do nothing. We stupidly thought that was their job! I dread to think what would happen if it did the same thing to somebody less able to fight it off. Had thought about FB but too scared and don’t want a public bun fight. So I presume it’s still roaming.

Good point. If you do post keep it factual and unemotive

Oh gosh. That's awful. I'm sorry for your poor dog and husband. I'm sorry the police didn't do anything. I would expect they should if there were injuries, particularly to a human. Although it doesn't entirely surprise me that they didn't TBF.

I think its worth it to have it on record. As someone else said, dog warden too. I would also report to your local councillor - they cant take any action but its building a picture of issues in the area. But also no harm in posting on FB.

My local Facebook has had similar posts recently. Good to know who to look out for and who to avoid.

Crack on.

I think post it and ask for people who know who he is to PM you the details so you can ask the police to investigate as a dangerously out of control dog.

Rubbish. Dogs can and do attack and not leave injuries. It can leave young dogs and puppies very shaken up and make them fear aggressive. I've had dogs rush over and attack mine, complete with growls, yelps, full on fury with no injuries.

I wouldn't take pictures of anyone and put them online, no.

You might as well post it on FB, lots of other people do.

But make a brand new account so you're anonymous.

Is it not illegal to post images online without consent? Genuinely asking, I might be wrong. I also think you could draw some crazies on you or what if someone mistook the wrong person and it got serious. Go down the proper channels if you are serious about this

If a dog “attacked” there would be injuries. What you are describing is rough play. Labradors are big, heavy things that jump on other dogs and bowl them over. I have a small dog and it’s bloody scary when it happens but it is not an attack.

If a dog is set on attacking there will be injuries to the other dog and any person who gets in its way.

There is a Labrador in our local dog field who always seems to be there. It’s left to wander and bother other people and dogs while its owner wanders off with a phone glued to its ear. It’s a bloody nuisance jumping all over other dog walkers and bowling their dogs over. The dog is “over friendly” according to the police and dog warden. They won’t do anything about it, despite many dogs and owners being scared by its very existence - Because it has not attacked.

Right, so it was rough play when my neighbours cockerpoo jumped out of his van, came running accross the road and started attacking mine at his own front door? Didn't leave a mark on my dog but he certainly wasn't playing! Was it rough play when a dog came out of know where when I was on a walk with mine and started going for him when my poor dog was minding his own business? Just because they havn't managed to injure your dog due to fur or size difference, etc, doesn't mean it wasn't an attack.

I know the difference between rough play and an attack, I'm not stupid.

Are you my neighbour? She runs to the police screaming dog attack everytime a dog gets close to her precious Fifi.
Large, untrained, under stimulated but friendly dogs can cause injuries to other dogs in their over zealous attempts to interact with other dogs. If a vicious dog feels a need to attack it will and there will be serious puncture wounds at the very least. Too many people scream dog attack these days. My local fb page is full of them and usually by the same few posters. When they describe the dog and owner (usually with photos) that’s when everyone knows they are spouting rubbish.

That’s probably why the police won’t get involved, unless the dog really has attacked a person and the evidence is clear. Then they should. The police have never involved themselves with a dog on dog attack. Thats between the owners, the vet and pet insurance.

I’ve had dogs all my life and never had a problem with off lead dogs interactions. There’s no way would I ever allow a dog to approach a dog on a leash. Some are on leash because the owner is afraid it will run off because it hasn’t been taught to recall. Most are leashed because they are nasty, vicious, pampered, untrained, under stimulated, over reactive mutts with clueless owners. Precious Fifi is the latter.