Dog burst my son's football

[Maverick99]

Took my 5yo football mad son to the park today to play with his new football that he got for his birthday. It cost £45 and was the first time he'd used it, after months of begging me for it.

He was kicking it through some goal posts when a dog (I think it was a staffy of some kind but know nothing about dogs so could be wrong) ran up to the ball which was about 10ft away from him and bit it, causing it to burst. It then started running around in circles around my son then back to its owner. Didn't seem dangerous but son was hysterical over his football.

Owner put the dog lead on and apologised, and I asked that he replaced the football. I was v pissed off and vocal about his dog and the fact that it wasn't on a lead. He said he couldn't afford it and refused to exchange details or tell me his name but was v apologetic.

Just feel pissed off that there was nothing I could do and nobody else helped me out as lots of people saw.

Can't afford to replace the football myself but thankfully my dad is going to buy him a new one tomorrow.

Not sure what I want from this thread, just a vent because I feel so irritated still and like I could've done more or handled it better.

How is that relevant? The dog, off leash, damaged the OP’s property. Of course he should have offered to pay.

This! I'm shocked at the responses OP is getting - and I say that as a dog owner for many years, although sadly my dog is dead now. I would have been mortified if he'd done something like that, and paid to replace it - but, in any case, I kept him on a lead when there were chaseable things around.

Can't believe the entitlement of some of the dog lovers on here. Don't take nice balls to the park because dogs can't help themselves and that's the risk you take? No. How about you let your dog off the lead, you risk having to pay £45 to replace a nice ball if you can't control your dog. "Just the risk you take" can work both ways FFS.

All the “Doggo” types will be on, telling you that you should be honoured that the dog ran over and damaged your property. How dare you expect to enjoy a fairly innocuous activity at the park, when a dog (which is clearly much more important) wants to run about.

How big was the dogs mouth for it to be able to bite a football? I have two large labradors and they can't take a bite out of a football.
As a dog owner I'd be mortified and apologetic if any of my dogs damaged anyone elses property though. I'd feel awful and make sure you knew that because it's not fair for your son's ball to be damaged.

I am unable to work, and have a dog. She is a great emotional support, and makes me leave the house. I could not afford £45 to replace a football. At the moment, I could not afford £5 either. Shaming me on FB would drive me to an awful place.

The man the OP encountered was very apologetic. Shaming him wont magic up £45... and it could have a serious knock on affect for him.

I’m sick of dog owners thinking their precious little Fido can be off the lead, doing as they please, and that they, as owners, should not be responsible for their actions. The Dangerous Dog Act clearly states that dogs MUST be under control at all times and be capable of being recalled immediately. If not, they must be on a lead. Why is this so difficult to understand?

Apparently you can pay over £100 for one!

Then his dog should be on a lead. Simple.

Why is everyone going on and on about the price of the ball, that's hardly the point. And 45 quid is for the hard wearing special premiership etc balls that will last years, loads of kids have them and loads of kids I know have footballs ranging from 25-45 quid and take them to the park as they should be allowed to do. So you shouldn't take a bike or scooter to the park either as they are expensive?
The only person in the wrong here is the dog owner, that dog shouldn't be off the lead especially in a park where it's so reactive

You would hope it would put someone in an awful place? Fucking hell, that is nasty

Especially over a football.

If I was out running is £200 trainers and your dog chewed my shoes it wouldn’t matter if they where £20 or £200 on my feet they would have damaged them.

This.
It’s not up to people to decide on the value of the item. If you, your dog, your child, etc damages someone else’s stuff then you pay for it. Surely this is obvious.

@SevenSeasOfRhye good grief!

Grab a photo of the guy next time if you see him. Make a report on 101 of a dog out of control and post him on Facebook.

Then don't fuck about with other people possessions.
I whole believe we should shame people who act in such awful ways.
Everyone has a sob story now. Your actions are your own.

Your dog, which you have responsibility for, destroyed a ball. You are liable to replace it.

Probably best getting a cheaper ball for the park next time. The supermarkets usually sell them for under £10. That way if it happens again, asking for recompense won't be a massive thing for most dog walkers. They'll be able to put their hand in their pockets.

@PlainCake - correct you wouldn't play in the Prem with a £45 ball

It’s not ‘over a football’.

It’s over the damage of someone’s property, the poor control of an animal with a jaw strong enough to burst a football and causing a child to be upset.

Why does one person ‘being in an awful place’ trump another person’s ‘being in an awful place’?

Especially a child.

If your dog chases balls and can’t be recalled quickly to prevent that, keep it on a lead! People don’t want your dog chasing their kids balls.

I don’t let my dogs off lead because one of them has poor recall and would absolutely chase balls or squirrels etc. The other could be around balls, squirrels, birds, sheep, other dogs, absolutely anything and wouldn’t chase any of them because she’s well trained, looks to us, and has fantastic recall.

"

People encourage their dog to go after balls, because balls are a popular thing to throw for your dog. Balls for dogs are small enough for them to run about with, but to get a grip on a larger ball, a dog will bite down more so they can carry it about. If the ball is filled with air, it will get burst. No malice or aggression involved."

So completely irrelevant and completely highlights the self absorbed attitude of some dog owners. If your dog chases other people's footballs - it should 100% be on a lead in a park where there is likely to be people playing football.

That's just common sense.

The dog owner is legally liable for the damage caused by his 'out of control' dog.

In your shoes I'd hang around the park for the next few days with my phone at the ready to take his photo (plus dog) then tell him to pay up otherwise I'm reporting him to the police.

Then I'd report him anyway.

Can't stand entitled dog owners.

It is sad for your son who is only 5 and was very fond of his football. But luckily he is getting a replacement tomorrow.

The dog was friendly and playful and acted on its instincts.

The dog's owner was very apologetic, despite you being ¨vocal¨. He could have just walked away. He should have offered to pay for a cheaper ball, but he might not have been able to afford that either. Unless you wanted to involve the police, I don't think there is any point in demanding his name and address.

As for others watching, they would not want to get involved in a ¨vocal¨ argument, unless your child had been injured.

It is best to leave it as a vent and forget about it. Much worse things can happen unexpectedly.