Horrible encounter with a dog

[Thoughtsforcoffee]

I was walking my dog this afternoon when a small dog ran out of its front door and onto the pavement and started yapping and snapping at me and my dog. I got a fright and tried to move it away and it started snapping at me and my dog. A young girl came out calling its name and I suppose was in shock so shouted at her and she ran back inside crying. Her mum came out and I told her that her dog was trying to bite me and my dog and she raised her voice and told me I shouldn’t have yelled at her child. I was really annoyed and told her the dog had been Trying to attack us and she totally minimalist it, saying it’s a chihuahua and couldn’t attack anyone and hadn’t even bitten her. I told her I would call the police and she swore at me and slammed the door in my face, I was really unsettled and frightened and just need someone to tell me I’m not actually the one in the wrong here, I should be able to walk my dog without fear of being set upon.

A chihuahua? Couldn't you have picked it up and popped it back in it's garden?

I reckon my rabbits would do do more damage if they bit than a chihuahua

I would also appreciate any thoughts on whether I should call the police to report the aggressive dog, although it didn’t actually bite me or my dog I believe it would have and the child and parent were very irresponsible letting it out of the house.

1. The door should have been shut and the dog shouldn't have been able to escape the house.
2. Accidents happen.
3. You should not have shouted at a child.

Well it was a chihuahua cross so bigger than a normal chihuahua, but it was very snappy and I do believe it would have bitten us. I felt attacked.

Apparently I’m always in the wrong when I walk my dog, on his lead, and other dogs run up to him.

I’m holding him too tight
He can sense my nervousness
He must smell like a bitch
I should let him off the lead

I usually end up telling them to eff off.

I feel like it was a stressful incident - potential dog situations are stressful - but actually no harm done, so might be best to try to ground yourself and move on.

How young was she and what did you shout at her?

the police aren’t going to do anything, it’s not a dangerous dog and didn’t bite you so don’t waste their time. It’s just yappy, most chihuahuas are.

It was very stressful, I expected the lady to be apologetic but instead she was angry with me for raising my voice at her child and completely minimised her aggressive animal.

As it didn’t bite you, then I’m not sure the police will do anything. However, if it puts your mind at ease, ring 101 for their advice.

I probably would have shouted at the child as well. Small dogs are the worst and can give you a nasty nip. In our area, we gave a few aggressive daschunds. Just because they’re small, doesn’t mean they can’t be aggressive.

Believing it would have is pointless, It didn’t bite you, it just barked.
for all anyone’s concerned I could believe you would bite me.

I’m not very good with child ages but I’d say around 6? I’m motmentirely
sure, she came out calling the dog’s name and started to come over and I just shouted your dog is attacking my dog and me and she burst into tears and ran into the house and then her very unpleasant mother came out, lifted up the dog and told me off!

Honestly, I’d just make a note in my head not to walk that way. You’re rightly defensive of your dog, from her perspective she’s being defensive of her child. The dog shouldn’t have been out. And you can report any dog, not just if you think it’s a banned breed. I don’t think you’d get anywhere with this though as no injuries.

Edit - cross posted but you can’t shout at a six year old! They can’t control dogs.

I’m worried it could bite someone else but I don’t want to be made a fool of by the police if they minimise it like the owner did. She said something really patronising like “it’s not exactly a bully dog, it’s teeth don’t even meet
in the middle so stop being a Kathy and never approach my child again”. It was so upsetting.,

But it wasn’t attacking you and your dog. It was barking at you. And when the child owner tried to call it back you shouted at them and scared them away. An adult shouting at a child is scarier than a tiny dog barking at an adult and a big dog.

OP,
I have seen a chihuahua snapping and snarling and it's not pleasant.
I wouldn't have picked it up as previously suggested. They can and do deliver a nasty bite when they want to.
I would have pulled my dog away and kept walking.

I get why you were shocked but I don’t think you should have shouted at the child, it’s hardly her fault.
How big is your dog? Are you able to lift them OP? I have a small dog (not quite chihuahua small) and when faced against annoying or worrying dogs I just lift mine up out of their reach. The dog shouldn’t have been out but they’re not exactly dangerous, they’re tiny.

It was an accident, dogs bark and snarl to protect their territory. It sounds like it didn't actually try to attack your dog, just a shock. Of course shouting was fine, the parents should've come out rather than the child. Xx

I can lift my dog if needed but I was rooted to the spot as I’d tried to move this dog away and it was just barking and snapping and I was really frightened.

i thought you was going to say an older child not a 6 year old, I would be annoyed if someone decided to shout at a small child who was trying to help by getting the dog.
Yes the dog shouldn’t have been barking etc at you but you are fine, move on.

It was an accident, yes the dog shouldn't have got out but it did. Shouting at a child that young when it wasn't their fault was where you were wrong. I understand you were stressed but it was a tiny dog, you weren't being bit and the child was probably more scared of you shouting at her than you were the dog.

Dog escaped house (these things happen)

Little girl ran out of the house to get dog

You shouted at little girl even though she was only six and doing the right thing in trying to retrieve her dog

Dog didn't hurt anyone

Mum came out

You told.mum off saying the dog was trying to bite you, except it probably wasn't and it didn't.

Mum was already stressed due to an escaping dog and a crying daughter and really didn't need your unfounded telling off.

Now you want to call the police?

Sorry but.you ABVU

This is a joke, right?

You're totally out of order. Accidents happen, the dog got out and was barking at you. It's very small breed. What's your dogs breed? You shouted a young child that was trying to help you. Never acceptable to shout at a random child!
Also ringing police and wasting their time really?? What are you going to say a dog barked at me and I was scared?? Get a grip.
In the future if faced with a situation like that remain calm. Say firmly to the dog, no! If possible move away, cross the road etc. To put distance between yourself and the dog. Calmly walk away.

It wouldn't have been OK it if was a big dog running out on to the pavement. So it's not ok if a little dog does it. Little dogs get away with loads. But they're often so highly strung. Small dog syndrome is definitely a thing. People should not allow their dogs to run outside. I have a dog and i live in a cul de sac where no one walks past and he's still not allowed to just run out. He is far more scared of little dogs than big dogs as the big dogs just leave him alone.

This is a really stupid comment. Pick up a snappy yapping dog that you don't know? Cracking idea that. You are aware that even small dogs are capable of biting and inflicting pain? 🙄