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.

OP said the dog owner could not afford to pay for the ball, and was very apologetic. Are you wanting him to self flagellate in front of her or something?

She also said she just wanted to vent (fair enough)... not ask how she could somehow punish this man more. I bet he felt mortified. If my dog did the same, I would too... and I would also not be able to afford anything other then the small change in my purse.

The kid is 5... they will get over it very quickly. An adult being shamed on FB is a whole new level, and is really not needed. It is bullying.

I would be pissed off about this too OP. The ball was a birthday gift for your football mad little boy, which by the sounds of it he couldnt wait to try it out at the park.

Regardless of the price, your son should be able to take his football to the local park and play without a dog ruining the ball. Dogs should be kept on leads if they are likely to chase balls

We had similar when the DCs were younger. Playing cricket in the park (cheap kids' set) and a dog appears from nowhere, picks up the ball and runs off with it. Owner appeared and tried to give the ball back but it was covered in slobber so I told him it's ok and he could keep it. He looked sheepish and walked off and that was that - game over. It doesn't matter what the object costs though. If your dog is going to go after other people's belongings they need to be kept on a lead.

No I'd want to know how he was going to pay it back. Nothing more, nothing less.
If he can't pay that then he can sell the dog he can't afford

And after that of he still refused yes I'd absolutly got for public exposure.

Some very angry people on here 🙄

People don’t like the idea of a child being upset over having his present destroyed.

It’s a parents’ forum. We’ve all had upset children, we feel it in our hearts.

It was two years old so wouldn’t be worth £45 now anyway.

Depends it could actually be worth more depending on the ball itself.

This is going way too far.

I doubt it, especially if the OPs son has been kicking it around before the dog bit it...

You should have taken a photo.of owner and dog and put on local SM stating what happened. Shameful he lets his dog damage a child property then refuses to replace it. In my local park it states all dogs must be kept on a lead at all times.

Some people on here are being ridiculous so far on this thread I've seen people saying:

1. Take photos and post on social media insisting shame and ridicule

1. Hang around the park threaten him on camera that if he doesn't pay up you'll go to the police (and then report it anyway) (I mean has anyone actually considered that's close to black mail?!)

1. If the owner can't afford to replace the ball he should have to sell his dog

Think some people just enjoy the idea of being nasty

Yes, just like every dog post that gets posted.

I had dogs. I’d of never let them destroy someone’s property without reimbursing.

Im also fed up with dogs owners thinking they can never do no wrong leaving dog shite everywhere too these days.

If people would just control their bloody dogs, these threads would be a lot less common.

The dog owner should have contributed to the replacement of the ball but I really disagree with some of the vitriol on here.

Just what I was thinking!😳

Oh god, poor DS and poor you too😢. I'd be gutted in your position, but I don't think that you could have actually done anything differently, really. I'm not surprised he didn't agree to pay either, it IS a lot for a football and lots of people just wouldn't believe it. I very much do as DD is very into her football, training 5 days a week and also playing at least one match a week in season. She has a lot of kit and a lot of it is bloody expensive. Her good stuff is absolutely not allowed at the park incase of exactly this sort of scenario; I know you should be able to, but it's probably best not to if it can't be replaced easily (same position here...).

’Alexa, show me someone who…’?!

Goodness me, I hope this catchy phrase of yours doesn’t catch on🙄

I’ve only just got over confused.com

It was obviously an accident. It's rubbish for OPs son.

He was "very apologetic".

I wouldn't give money or my details to a stranger in the park who was "very vocal" at me about an accident I'd already apologised for (several times by the sounds of it).

Honestly I would just move on. I'm not going to harass someone over an accident with a football. No-one was injured.

Surely the price of the ball is irrelevant 😳 Was the dog owner aware of what was going on ???
Thats the question

Dogs should not be off lead in parks or any public places for just this sort of reason.
It’s not okay to let your dog run up and take children’s balls. Or to let it run up to people at all.
Hire a private, secure, dog field to let it run around off lead.
Of course in this time of climate emergency, no one should be getting dogs anyway - they are a luxury the planet cannot afford (with the notable exception of working or assistance dogs).

Ah, it is you. No one should be having kids in this time of climate emergency. Dogs are small fry compared to humans. But yes, shame dog owners for the Earth eventually being burned into oblivion.

It's an absolute pain, but unfortunately not that unusual amongst people with balls and dogs in parks. I often wonder why no insurance company is ever set up a low cost insurance for single items, or low cost items that you wouldn't claim on your main insurance. I hope your son's birthday wasn't ruined.

Pet insurance covers vet bills, and nothing else. You can get third party insurance for cheap (£25 per year) from the Dogs Trust.

Third party public liability insurance for your dog – up to £1,000,000 per claim (subject to legal liability being established against you) if your dog causes damage or injury to another person, their property or pets (an excess of £200 applies for the UK and £500 in the Republic of Ireland). This includes dogs banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act that have been exempted, including American Bully XLs

It wont cover a £45 ball, as the owner would be liable for it.