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Original poster

Dog burst my son's football

496 replies

Maverick99 · 11/04/2024 19:53

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 posts:
PoppyCherryDog · 11/04/2024 22:14

RazzberryGem · 11/04/2024 20:12

I agree, and maybe if it was like £7.99 - £12 like every other football EVER, they would have.
The way OP has phrased it (to me, I could be wrong) was that they were demanding for the dog owner to replace it and pay the £45 for another one.

"Very pissed off and vocal", wanted money and / or their details after the dog owner said they couldn't afford to replace the ball.

Seems like they weren't really put in much of a position to be able to barter. People probably don't take cash dog walking, and I doubt I'd have given over my address and phone number to someone screaming at me in a field to hand over almost £50.

Show quote history

This. Yes the dog owner is at fault but I don’t think it sounds like you acted in a manner that would’ve encouraged him to replace it.

Nightone · 11/04/2024 22:16

Why are you letting your son play football in the dog park?

opalescent · 11/04/2024 22:17

It's completely understandable that you were annnoyed, especially as your son was so upset
That said, dogs sometimes burst footballs. Asking a complete stranger for £45 to replace it is laughable, especially in the middle of a field. What did you expect him to do? Go to the cashpoint? Give you his bank details? It's a dog and a ball. Honestly, I truly despair of Mumsnet.
I consider myself a fairly normal and reasonable person, and I would have been incredulous if you'd demanded that of me. He had already profusely apologised. Get some perspective.

PosyPrettyToes · 11/04/2024 22:19

As a dog owner I would be mortified and want to replace the ball, but honestly if someone was insisting their 5 year old’s football was £45, and I needed to pay them that for it I’d probably think they were lying CFs trying to cash grab.

opalescent · 11/04/2024 22:19

WappityWabbit · 11/04/2024 21:02

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.

Jesus Christ

ZiriForGood · 11/04/2024 22:23

opalescent · 11/04/2024 22:17

It's completely understandable that you were annnoyed, especially as your son was so upset
That said, dogs sometimes burst footballs. Asking a complete stranger for £45 to replace it is laughable, especially in the middle of a field. What did you expect him to do? Go to the cashpoint? Give you his bank details? It's a dog and a ball. Honestly, I truly despair of Mumsnet.
I consider myself a fairly normal and reasonable person, and I would have been incredulous if you'd demanded that of me. He had already profusely apologised. Get some perspective.

So how would you rectify your negligence and the damage your dog caused?

And yes, it is a negligence to have a off lead dog close to football goals, it isn't an accident.

opalescent · 11/04/2024 22:23

I would apologise profusely.
That's it.

It's a football.

RhubarbAndFlustered · 11/04/2024 22:24

The cost of the football is irrelevant. The dog should not be allowed by its owner to destroy anyone's property outside of its own home or garden! Would you be saying the same if it was a lady's £500 handbag it ran up to and bit a hole clean through? Or bit through the tyre of an expensive bike? The man is liable to pay for it and I would be sorely tempted to follow the gentleman home one day and get his address for the police visit. Having a dog out of control of the owner is illegal and that dog was out of the owners control.

opalescent · 11/04/2024 22:24

I'm truly in despair. Are these replies tongue in cheek?

opalescent · 11/04/2024 22:26

RhubarbAndFlustered · 11/04/2024 22:24

The cost of the football is irrelevant. The dog should not be allowed by its owner to destroy anyone's property outside of its own home or garden! Would you be saying the same if it was a lady's £500 handbag it ran up to and bit a hole clean through? Or bit through the tyre of an expensive bike? The man is liable to pay for it and I would be sorely tempted to follow the gentleman home one day and get his address for the police visit. Having a dog out of control of the owner is illegal and that dog was out of the owners control.

Do you think the police have the time or inclination to mediate in a 'dog bursting football' scenario?

Noseybookworm · 11/04/2024 22:27

Yes he was in the wrong to not control his dog but he only had your word for it that the ball cost £45! That's a ridiculous amount of money for a football 😳

XenoBitch · 11/04/2024 22:27

ZiriForGood · 11/04/2024 22:23

So how would you rectify your negligence and the damage your dog caused?

And yes, it is a negligence to have a off lead dog close to football goals, it isn't an accident.

Show quote history

Cite an official source about it being negligent about a loose dog being in a dog friendly park, that also happens to have a kids kicking a ball about. What law is being broken by a dog taking a ball? Considering that dogs are encouraged o go after balls as a natural part of their play.

Dogs chasing balls, and kids kicking balls.... they have shared the same space since forever. Sometimes a dog pops a ball... and sometimes a kid kicks a ball into a garden and never gets it back. Or some older kids nick their ball. Should they also be pursuing the garden owner for not reimbursing them?

sunnyday98 · 11/04/2024 22:28

RhubarbAndFlustered · 11/04/2024 22:24

The cost of the football is irrelevant. The dog should not be allowed by its owner to destroy anyone's property outside of its own home or garden! Would you be saying the same if it was a lady's £500 handbag it ran up to and bit a hole clean through? Or bit through the tyre of an expensive bike? The man is liable to pay for it and I would be sorely tempted to follow the gentleman home one day and get his address for the police visit. Having a dog out of control of the owner is illegal and that dog was out of the owners control.

If it was out of control how did he put it back on the led the way the op suggests?

You are seriously suggesting following this man which may even be assault if he fears you're going to do something to him and and then report him to the police over a football.

opalescent · 11/04/2024 22:29

Oh thank god. I thought I was going mad for a second.

ZiriForGood · 11/04/2024 22:29

RazzberryGem · 11/04/2024 20:12

I agree, and maybe if it was like £7.99 - £12 like every other football EVER, they would have.
The way OP has phrased it (to me, I could be wrong) was that they were demanding for the dog owner to replace it and pay the £45 for another one.

"Very pissed off and vocal", wanted money and / or their details after the dog owner said they couldn't afford to replace the ball.

Seems like they weren't really put in much of a position to be able to barter. People probably don't take cash dog walking, and I doubt I'd have given over my address and phone number to someone screaming at me in a field to hand over almost £50.

Show quote history

So, no matter how expensive the ball was now, if people don't take cash dog walking, what is your suggestion how the dog owner's fault should had been remedied?

Allthegoodnamesaregone1 · 11/04/2024 22:29

opalescent · 11/04/2024 22:23

I would apologise profusely.
That's it.

It's a football.

And that's why I love the trend of publicly shaming people on Facebook.

Especially with so many people sick of negligent dog owners.

Imagine trying to go out in your community walking a dog and everyone having seen the post about how awalful you are to a 5 year old!

opalescent · 11/04/2024 22:31

The fact that you 'love the trend of publicly shaming people on Facebook' tells me everything I need to know.

Magnastorm · 11/04/2024 22:31

The cost of the ball is irrelevant. A kid should be able to kick a ball around in a park and not have a dog ruin it.

Owner was a total dick to not replace it and bullshit he couldn't afford £45 if he can afford to keep a dog. What a nasty arsehole.

XenoBitch · 11/04/2024 22:32

Magnastorm · 11/04/2024 22:31

The cost of the ball is irrelevant. A kid should be able to kick a ball around in a park and not have a dog ruin it.

Owner was a total dick to not replace it and bullshit he couldn't afford £45 if he can afford to keep a dog. What a nasty arsehole.

OP has a kid, and said she can't afford to replace the ball either.

From what I gather, kids are a ton more expensive to keep than a dog!

Allthegoodnamesaregone1 · 11/04/2024 22:32

opalescent · 11/04/2024 22:31

The fact that you 'love the trend of publicly shaming people on Facebook' tells me everything I need to know.

And the fact you support negligent dog owners tells me everything I need to know.

JMSA · 11/04/2024 22:32

Aww, that's so bloody annoying OP. And I say that as a massive dog lover. I'm glad your son is getting it replaced.

Magnastorm · 11/04/2024 22:32

Noseybookworm · 11/04/2024 22:27

Yes he was in the wrong to not control his dog but he only had your word for it that the ball cost £45! That's a ridiculous amount of money for a football 😳

Sometimes people have nice things and other people should respect that.

And it would be easy to google the brand of ball to verify the cost.

Toddlerteaplease · 11/04/2024 22:33

Everanewbie · 11/04/2024 19:58

I’m sorry this happened. But seriously, a £45 football for a 5 year old?

That was my first thought!! £45 for any type of football seems a lot!

ZiriForGood · 11/04/2024 22:33

XenoBitch · 11/04/2024 22:27

Cite an official source about it being negligent about a loose dog being in a dog friendly park, that also happens to have a kids kicking a ball about. What law is being broken by a dog taking a ball? Considering that dogs are encouraged o go after balls as a natural part of their play.

Dogs chasing balls, and kids kicking balls.... they have shared the same space since forever. Sometimes a dog pops a ball... and sometimes a kid kicks a ball into a garden and never gets it back. Or some older kids nick their ball. Should they also be pursuing the garden owner for not reimbursing them?

Show quote history

If there were official goal posts, it is obviously football friendly area.

If the child kicked the ball into someone's garden it is a different case.
Are you saying it is ok to have off lead dog destroying other people's stuff?

sunnydaytoday0 · 11/04/2024 22:34

If the guy couldn't afford £45, why couldn't he at least offer a small amount - £10, even £5?? The fact he offered nothing at all is quite telling.