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Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To dare to think that the Cult of Dog has gone too far?

959 replies

MariLlwyd · 25/04/2025 11:43

There is now not a single public space in my home town that is dog-free - and that includes cafes, restaurants and even the library. Local beaches, once a quiet escape, have turned into asylums for the fur baby/pupper brigade to inflict their poorly trained animals on others with children getting chased, people jumped on and tripped over and all to the sound of hysterical barking and frequent dog fights.
80 year old woman knocked over by uncontrollable dog? 'You got in his way'.
Ask politely that you take your dog away from our lunch table? 'Go fuck yourself'.
Sit on the most remote bench you can find? Peri-menopausal wild eyed harridan lets loose 3 dogs from her 4x4 to jump all over you and laughs that it's 'their spot' and turns unhinged when you push them away.
Yes, this is a rant and yes I hate most dog owners.
This weird cult that values darling dogs over human beings is actually pretty worrying.
I shall await the inevitable and hilarious 'incoming' from the emotionally stunted Doggo Nutters.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
7
TheTigerWhoCameToBrunch · 26/04/2025 11:51

The sooner this country falls under the cloak of Islam is is ruled by Sharia Law, the better! Keeping pet dogs will be haram!

8dateslater · 26/04/2025 11:51

SnoozingFox · 26/04/2025 11:32

Any form of dog licencing will just be the same people ducking out of it So they run the risk of having their animal seized and destroyed then, as they would with an uninsured car. Some people not wanting to comply with a law is not a reason to not pass the law in the first place.

Genuinely how would it be enforced though?

I 100% like the idea of it, and think there are certain things you should have to do eg classes, health checks, have a register so dogs could be complained about etc. I just think there's zero way of doing it so it reaches owners that aren't already doing those thing

The uk stopped dog licencing because they couldn't enforce it And the compliance was terrible

Microchipping has been law for a decade and only something like 10% of strays are chipped properly. Most responsible people's dogs are, but they aren't the dogs that tend to stray.

Equally docking and cropping is illegal. You can physically see dogs with those attributes and still nothing is done

Something like cars works because you have to use them on public roads and you can read plates at a distance so check thousands a day. There's no way of doing that for dogs. Every single check would be manual and easy to avoid

Car insurance is a great example. People insure their car because of anpr, and you need to have the car physically visible at some point. What is astronomical is the number of uninsured driver's that are driving an insured car in someone else's name.

How much police resource would be dedicated to stopping owners and checking paperwork? Where would you do it? Like tv licencing where everyone is assumed to have a dog?

Even if say there were microchip readers on everysingle lampost (that can register the absence of something being the hardest thing!) , people with unlicensed dogs would just go else where to fields etc

Situations where people avoid the vets with dogs, avoid socialising dogs, exercising them well, and avoid training is an absolute mix for an explosion of dog bites.

Its why in my health care job, we don't check people's immigration status at A+E

OonaStubbs · 26/04/2025 11:52

Onleemoi · 26/04/2025 11:47

Humans do (take) precedence over animals. A dog under a table in a pub doesn’t mean they don’t. Sorry you all hate them but unlucky, you’re just going to have to live with it.

But why are dogs allowed in pubs when no other animal is? What is so special about dogs. They are mere beasts, like horses, rats, or hippopotamuses, None of those animals would be allowed in a pub, people would think you were mad if you considered it.

FilthyforFirth · 26/04/2025 11:53

Completely agree and loathe dogs and 90% of owners.

Intranslation · 26/04/2025 11:54

I think we might have reached peak dog ownership levels around lockdown times and the level is still higher than in the past.

The inevitable consequence of this is that with more dogs about there are a higher number of less clued up owners.

I have a DC who is a bit afraid of dogs. It's not a completely irrational fear. Some of it dates back to a dog bounding up to him in the park when he was little. This has made me observe dog and owner behaviour a bit more closely and I do see what OP is getting at.

I think dogs in cafes and pubs is ok if they remain on lead and under table/out of the way. I don't like dogs on beaches on peak season family spaces. Those beaches where they have to be on leads create a different problem. I feel sorry for the dogs as their barking and wanting to join in the beach fun when they can't is frustrating for them.

Dogs on mountain/hill or coastal path walks are better on leads. It's not safe on steep paths to have your dog off a lead - not safe if you have to go running after it off path, not safe if it runs ahead and causes distress to other walkers, if there are sheep or other animals about then dogs have to be on leads.

We were recently in the Lake District over a warm weekend. We did a couple of popular walks. 2 days running we encountered poo bags every few metres. It was shocking to see this, there really isn't any excuse. If it had been one or two I guess it's par for the course that there might be less clued up owners but every few yards is ridiculous.

8dateslater · 26/04/2025 12:05

The tricky thing is dog owners have been the bread and butter for places like the lake district, and most uk tourism (outside of cities) for years and years. Dog owners have been the reliable uk holidayers for decades

If you have a cafe in the lakes for example. You know that a big chunk of your custom has dogs that must be with them (as you cant leave them in 90% of tourist accommodation). You also know that a large chunk of people will eat in a cafe with dogs in it and not care. If that's your current status quo then you can't know how many people are walking past because of it and if that cancels out the dog owners

MyHeartyCoralSnail · 26/04/2025 12:06

MixedBananas · 26/04/2025 11:46

1 trillion percent. They need to be confined to dog parks and peoplea homes. If you choose to own a dog and your live in a soqce that doesnt accomodate them thats your own problem don't inflict that on others.

We have stopped holidaying in the UK now are everywhereis dog country. Last time we went 2 years ago we went to st ives emd of sept so thought bmit be quiet. Nope nope. Dogs everywhere. Tight cramped streets full of dogs crapping everywhere On the beaches that coeqrly say no digs allowed during peak season. March - Oct no dogs allowed. But yet dogs were there.

We escqped to a remote beach and cove. Only to be followed by people with their dogs. A seal mother and her pup were separated she qas out hunting for food and couldnt get bqck to her pup as the dogs were in her pathway back to him. You could aee her poke her head up qnd check peridocially. And becuase of this she most likely abandoned her pup! Absolutely disgusting. It should be a criminal offense.

I am not a dog hater. My family had dogs BUT they had q massive farm and they were working dogs. They sleep outside and looked after and roam on the private property. They are not forced upon the mass public!
It has gotten out of hand. Hotels accepting dogs and B&Bs any holidays rentals. And now landlords have to accept them! It is revolting. We do not keep dogs in the house as it is a massive hygiene issue. So to go rent where dovs lived or go to a hotel where dogs go is a massive no no for me. It makes me feel nauseated.

And I’m sure the dog poo was collected, I’m pretty sure the streets of St Ives aren’t littered with dog poo. Not seen any, quite a few bits of litter from the grockles.

Sounds like you’re better off abroad though

NeedASafeSpace · 26/04/2025 12:07

TheTigerWhoCameToBrunch · 26/04/2025 11:51

The sooner this country falls under the cloak of Islam is is ruled by Sharia Law, the better! Keeping pet dogs will be haram!

Yes, because all that wil happen is that there will be no dogs.

You need help.

Ferretedaway · 26/04/2025 12:10

There’s an independent dog friendly coffee chain in my area which is partnered with Guide Dogs. Each branch sponsors a guide dog puppy in training and the profits from their dog treats go towards that. This is a good thing surely, and it would not be a good look if their shops were not dog

I think that’s excellent. And any shop with a jar of dog treats and a bowl of water I don’t have a problem with either. It’s the treating dogs as our equals, by providing dog ice creams, ‘cakes and pastries’,dog menus in cafes etc, that I think is going too far.

I sat next to a couple having lunch in our park cafe a few months ago. They ordered a meal for their dog, which came on the same type of plate used by the cafe for people. Our flats are supposed to be dog free but people are getting round it by claiming that they’re emotional support dogs. Absolutely people should have guide dogs, hearing dogs, medic alert dogs etc. Unless a dog is a licensed assistance dog, then it’s a pet imo. All pets provide comfort, emotional support and companionship . Unless it’s a working dog , that’s why we have them. I love dogs but I agree there is a dog cult and anyone not buying in to it is deemed to be a dog hater.

LostGhost · 26/04/2025 12:13

WinterKitchen · 26/04/2025 11:27

Why aren't these dog lovers adopting rescue dogs instead of spending a month's pay on one?

It's not as easy as walking into dogs trust and walking out with a dog. Rescues tend to be impossibly strict with their adoption criteria (not all of them granted but it seems to be most of them)

We tried to get a rescue before we got our pup, as soon as we said we both work full time they wouldn't let us go any further. Despite that fact that we're both hybrid and we alternate our office days so someone is always at home with her day to day. We've trained her to be left on her own so we can now go out for a few hours and leave her at home.

They also turn you down if you have children, other pets in the house, if you live in a flat, the list goes on.
A friend of mine tried to adopt a spaniel and was turned down because she lived in a (Fairly spacious) one bed flat. They completely glossed over the fact that she was a horsey person and said spaniel would be going to the horse yard with her daily, so yes admittedly wouldn't be getting an hours walk around the park every day...but WOULD be able to spend 6-8 hours running around the yard, accompanying her on hacks ect.

MyHeartyCoralSnail · 26/04/2025 12:19

8dateslater · 26/04/2025 12:05

The tricky thing is dog owners have been the bread and butter for places like the lake district, and most uk tourism (outside of cities) for years and years. Dog owners have been the reliable uk holidayers for decades

If you have a cafe in the lakes for example. You know that a big chunk of your custom has dogs that must be with them (as you cant leave them in 90% of tourist accommodation). You also know that a large chunk of people will eat in a cafe with dogs in it and not care. If that's your current status quo then you can't know how many people are walking past because of it and if that cancels out the dog owners

This. The audacity of people wanting businesses to turn away the vast majority of their customer base because they don’t like dogs there.

We get it every year. All through the winter dogs allowed on beaches, in cafes/pubs. Come summer the grockles appear with their litter and inability to reverse down a country lane, some business (generally newly owned) decide dogs and their owners who keep them going through winter aren’t welcome - then wonder where last years clientele is next winter. Dogs kicked off beaches (although luckily our local council are busy with looking at relaxing some of the rules -recognising the pooch pound)

8dateslater · 26/04/2025 12:19

Ferretedaway · 26/04/2025 12:10

There’s an independent dog friendly coffee chain in my area which is partnered with Guide Dogs. Each branch sponsors a guide dog puppy in training and the profits from their dog treats go towards that. This is a good thing surely, and it would not be a good look if their shops were not dog

I think that’s excellent. And any shop with a jar of dog treats and a bowl of water I don’t have a problem with either. It’s the treating dogs as our equals, by providing dog ice creams, ‘cakes and pastries’,dog menus in cafes etc, that I think is going too far.

I sat next to a couple having lunch in our park cafe a few months ago. They ordered a meal for their dog, which came on the same type of plate used by the cafe for people. Our flats are supposed to be dog free but people are getting round it by claiming that they’re emotional support dogs. Absolutely people should have guide dogs, hearing dogs, medic alert dogs etc. Unless a dog is a licensed assistance dog, then it’s a pet imo. All pets provide comfort, emotional support and companionship . Unless it’s a working dog , that’s why we have them. I love dogs but I agree there is a dog cult and anyone not buying in to it is deemed to be a dog hater.

That's always the problem with these threads (and the many many each week that come before it) is they go off the rails. These are the things we should be disuading etc

It usually starts as quite a reasonable rant that anyone sane would find hard to disagree with

But it normally escalates (as it has done on this thread) to some sort of dogs should only be allowed on private property and people that own them are mentally deficient.

I completely agree (as a dog lover) about 90% of the annoyances. I hate dog poo on a shoe as much as anyone.

I'd even argue that I find dogs off lead in places they shouldn't, badly behaved dogs in cafe more annoying than 90% of non dog owners because I know the risk of places then removing dog access, or because they behaviour that annoys people also annoys dogs trying to be on their best behaviour.

I also think theres a responsibility on things like dog friendly cafes to be dog friendly rather than simply allowing dogs.

Nothing is more irritating to book a meal in a dog friendly pub for example to then discover your on a table where your dogs are in the way, there's 300 dogs every where and no chance of settling a dog.

However these conversations never happen, every thread turns into a race to the bottom about how I must be a terrible, thick, unloved person and how dogs should be poisoned (a genuine comment of someone talking about taking grapes to places to feed dogs in the last 48 hours)

OonaStubbs · 26/04/2025 12:22

Maybe dog friendly pubs, hotels and eateries should have to pay a special dog tax to encourage at least some of them to be dog-free.

8dateslater · 26/04/2025 12:26

OonaStubbs · 26/04/2025 12:22

Maybe dog friendly pubs, hotels and eateries should have to pay a special dog tax to encourage at least some of them to be dog-free.

I really struggle to believe that there is anywhere where at least some places aren't dog free already

Even places like the lakes which is the most notoriously dog friendly places has plenty of dog free accommodation and restaurants

It has dog friendly places too which outnumber them perhaps but also non dog friendly places. 90% of chain restaurants don't allow dogs as a start

Kardamyli2 · 26/04/2025 12:35

Glitchymn1 · 26/04/2025 09:10

@Kardamyli2 What a despicable thing to say. Disgusting and vile, you should be banned.

Banned for having a different opinion to you? How on earth do you navigate life if you can't cope with people voicing opinions you don't like? Do you have a meltdown every time you hear a politician you disagree with?

Intranslation · 26/04/2025 12:36

8dateslater · 26/04/2025 12:05

The tricky thing is dog owners have been the bread and butter for places like the lake district, and most uk tourism (outside of cities) for years and years. Dog owners have been the reliable uk holidayers for decades

If you have a cafe in the lakes for example. You know that a big chunk of your custom has dogs that must be with them (as you cant leave them in 90% of tourist accommodation). You also know that a large chunk of people will eat in a cafe with dogs in it and not care. If that's your current status quo then you can't know how many people are walking past because of it and if that cancels out the dog owners

Been going to the Lake District for years and it is - as you say - very much a dog lovers destination. We go in spring nearly every year. Most people keep their dogs on a lead in spring. There are always one or two that don't. On 2 paths this year there were signs on every gate reminding people to do so. On one path - Railway path Keswick to Threlkeld - it specifically said 'short lead' but dogs off lead and long lead abounded. The sheep were hiding. The poo bags thing I mentioned was ridiculous. Especially on the Buttermere circular route. Really every few steps there was one at the Fleetwith end and a third of the way round

TeenLifeMum · 26/04/2025 12:38

WinterKitchen · 26/04/2025 11:27

Why aren't these dog lovers adopting rescue dogs instead of spending a month's pay on one?

Because rescues are often not suitable for a variety of reasons. We did try but never got responses. Most can’t be housed with children (even though mine are older I have young dc as guests) or rabbits. My rabbits live free in my garden - I’ve trained my spaniels not to chase them.

Now I’m an experienced dog owner, dh and I may well rescue when we’re retired but it isn't simply a case of just rescuing a dog. also not a month’s pay but i actually think dogs being expensive is a good thing - it encourages thought before buying.

NeedASafeSpace · 26/04/2025 13:01

Ferretedaway · 26/04/2025 12:10

There’s an independent dog friendly coffee chain in my area which is partnered with Guide Dogs. Each branch sponsors a guide dog puppy in training and the profits from their dog treats go towards that. This is a good thing surely, and it would not be a good look if their shops were not dog

I think that’s excellent. And any shop with a jar of dog treats and a bowl of water I don’t have a problem with either. It’s the treating dogs as our equals, by providing dog ice creams, ‘cakes and pastries’,dog menus in cafes etc, that I think is going too far.

I sat next to a couple having lunch in our park cafe a few months ago. They ordered a meal for their dog, which came on the same type of plate used by the cafe for people. Our flats are supposed to be dog free but people are getting round it by claiming that they’re emotional support dogs. Absolutely people should have guide dogs, hearing dogs, medic alert dogs etc. Unless a dog is a licensed assistance dog, then it’s a pet imo. All pets provide comfort, emotional support and companionship . Unless it’s a working dog , that’s why we have them. I love dogs but I agree there is a dog cult and anyone not buying in to it is deemed to be a dog hater.

Another comment about dog ice cream.
You don't need to buy one. It has zero impact on you that dog ice cream exists. My dog loves them, and it is a cooling treat for her. But how dare I treat my dog to something nice... must mean the end of times.

CarmelaBrunella · 26/04/2025 13:04

NeedASafeSpace · 26/04/2025 13:01

Another comment about dog ice cream.
You don't need to buy one. It has zero impact on you that dog ice cream exists. My dog loves them, and it is a cooling treat for her. But how dare I treat my dog to something nice... must mean the end of times.

I don't think it's that; more a reflection that if dogs have special ice cream it indicates the level of indulgence now granted to pets. You may feel that's ok, but that these things exist, and that so much is "dog friendly" is definitely a societal change.

WanderleyWagon · 26/04/2025 13:05

YANBU (speaking as a wild-eyed perimenopausal harridan myself). The thing I hate, hate, hate is that it's not just sharing the spaces with dogs - it's having to look at, walk past and occasionally step on the dog shit, bagged and unbagged, all over the place.

NeedASafeSpace · 26/04/2025 13:08

CarmelaBrunella · 26/04/2025 13:04

I don't think it's that; more a reflection that if dogs have special ice cream it indicates the level of indulgence now granted to pets. You may feel that's ok, but that these things exist, and that so much is "dog friendly" is definitely a societal change.

And how is someone treating their dog to an ice cream affect anyone else?
Another poster said it was disgusting as there are kids going without breakfast. How are they even linked?
They are not.
It is indulgent for a human to have an ice cream too. Maybe we should all be issued with state provided packs of Huel. Meets all our dietary needs. No need for anything fancy.

CarmelaBrunella · 26/04/2025 13:10

NeedASafeSpace · 26/04/2025 13:08

And how is someone treating their dog to an ice cream affect anyone else?
Another poster said it was disgusting as there are kids going without breakfast. How are they even linked?
They are not.
It is indulgent for a human to have an ice cream too. Maybe we should all be issued with state provided packs of Huel. Meets all our dietary needs. No need for anything fancy.

I didn't say it affected anyone else.
I think you must have the wrong poster.

NorthernGirl1981 · 26/04/2025 13:20

TouchtheEarth · 26/04/2025 11:22

You clearly know nothing about dogs! Large breed dogs are usually friendly and harmless; it's the yapply little f*kers that will grab you by the ankle that you have to watch out for.

I don’t have to “know anything about dogs” to know which size dog annoys me.

I didn’t say big dogs weren’t friendly - in fact it’s being friendly that’s the problem!!!

At least the little ones aren’t jumping up me with their big slobbery mouths leaving drool on me and their dirty feet leaving paw prints and general dirt on my clothes, or breathing their stinky dog breath in my face when all I’m trying to do is enjoy some food or a drink in peace! 🤮

Little nippy dogs that don’t leave drool and dirt on me are far more preferable to the “lovely and friendly” big dogs that do.

Stompythedinosaur · 26/04/2025 13:24

What a drama llama.

I don't for a second believe there are no dog free spaces in your town, or that every single dog owner you meet swear at you.

And of course other people are allowed to use public spaces. Not much you can do about it. Sit in your garden if you want to control who is there.

The only part you aren't being unreasonable about is that people should have control of their dogs.

Sorrysunflower · 26/04/2025 13:29

NorthernGirl1981 · 26/04/2025 13:20

I don’t have to “know anything about dogs” to know which size dog annoys me.

I didn’t say big dogs weren’t friendly - in fact it’s being friendly that’s the problem!!!

At least the little ones aren’t jumping up me with their big slobbery mouths leaving drool on me and their dirty feet leaving paw prints and general dirt on my clothes, or breathing their stinky dog breath in my face when all I’m trying to do is enjoy some food or a drink in peace! 🤮

Little nippy dogs that don’t leave drool and dirt on me are far more preferable to the “lovely and friendly” big dogs that do.

I saw a big slobbery (tho quite friendly looking) thing take a massive sneeze in the ladies wear section at John Lewis the other day. 🤮