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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

It’s a dog one

43 replies

PodgePie · 30/05/2025 06:36

Walking my two jack russell terriers this morning (off lead in an orchard) when a pair of dogs - one terrier & one collie barrel up to us & attack my elderly dog. Thankfully I was able to separate them & remove my poor girl from the situation but this is not the first time we’ve had an issue with these animals. The owner didn’t have them in her line of sight & has astonishingly poor recall.

I know where they live - would I be unreasonable to post a polite note through her door & ask her to either keep them on a lead or at least in her eyeline? I’m 100% sure any letter will have zero effect but I am seething that she is so wilfully careless. My lovely old lady isn’t in the best of health - she’s 14 & has the usual aches & pains which we manage with supplements but she’s visibly limping & extremely timid now.

OP posts:
Biropens · 30/05/2025 06:38

When you say “attack”, what do you mean? Pouncing with intention of doing harm or boisterous play with an elderly dog who was probably overwhelmed

Biropens · 30/05/2025 06:38

Did you say anything to the owner at the time?

RitaAndFrank · 30/05/2025 06:39

Oh I’m so sorry op, your poor little lady.

I feel your pain, except my dog has a tendency to go full nuclear on any dog that approaches him so I have to walk him in places that are as quiet as possible and shout out to other owners that he’s not friendly. Unfortunately, many owners can’t / won’t keep their dogs under control even when they can see he’s on a lead, and seem to take offence when I tell them that my dog isn’t friendly!

Original poster
PodgePie · 30/05/2025 06:45

Biropens · 30/05/2025 06:38

When you say “attack”, what do you mean? Pouncing with intention of doing harm or boisterous play with an elderly dog who was probably overwhelmed

Full intent to fight - this wasn’t a playful act.

OP posts:
Original poster
PodgePie · 30/05/2025 06:46

Biropens · 30/05/2025 06:38

Did you say anything to the owner at the time?

I couldn’t see her, her dogs had run so far from her & her recall is so useless she was completely out of sight. I could hear her but couldn’t find her, otherwise I would absolutely have said something.

OP posts:
Biropens · 30/05/2025 06:47

Do you often come across them off lead?

ExtraOnions · 30/05/2025 06:48

All Dogs should be on a lead, at all times, in public areas.

Biropens · 30/05/2025 06:50

ExtraOnions · 30/05/2025 06:48

All Dogs should be on a lead, at all times, in public areas.

Mine is (only because recall is pants)
however if recall is good, in an orchard at the crack of dawn like this scenario… I’m fine with others off lead

was the orchard not private property?

Original poster
PodgePie · 30/05/2025 06:50

RitaAndFrank · 30/05/2025 06:39

Oh I’m so sorry op, your poor little lady.

I feel your pain, except my dog has a tendency to go full nuclear on any dog that approaches him so I have to walk him in places that are as quiet as possible and shout out to other owners that he’s not friendly. Unfortunately, many owners can’t / won’t keep their dogs under control even when they can see he’s on a lead, and seem to take offence when I tell them that my dog isn’t friendly!

This is so frustrating for you.

We’ve had a few problems with these dogs before - they’re always off lead to the point I’ve seen them nearly run over a few times because the owner is so careless & hasn’t bothered training them. They aren’t well socialised so aren’t playful - they’re defensive & quite bold.

OP posts:
Biropens · 30/05/2025 06:51

PodgePie · 30/05/2025 06:50

This is so frustrating for you.

We’ve had a few problems with these dogs before - they’re always off lead to the point I’ve seen them nearly run over a few times because the owner is so careless & hasn’t bothered training them. They aren’t well socialised so aren’t playful - they’re defensive & quite bold.

Show quote history

Unfortunately someone like this likely won’t read the letter beyond the first sentence

Original poster
PodgePie · 30/05/2025 06:51

Biropens · 30/05/2025 06:50

Mine is (only because recall is pants)
however if recall is good, in an orchard at the crack of dawn like this scenario… I’m fine with others off lead

was the orchard not private property?

Show quote history

No, the orchard has footpaths through & around it.
I possibly sound smug but my dogs walk at heel, as I have trained them to do.

OP posts:
EleanorReally · 30/05/2025 06:52

that would the best thing to do,
rather than what people in my area, name and shame on facebook

Original poster
PodgePie · 30/05/2025 06:52

Biropens · 30/05/2025 06:47

Do you often come across them off lead?

Enough for it to give me cause to raise it with her, but not enough to punish my dogs my keeping them on the lead all the time. And frankly, that would only be worse for them if these dogs did attack us again.

OP posts:
EleanorReally · 30/05/2025 06:53

that and speak to her face to face

dottiedodah · 30/05/2025 06:54

I would do that.So.e dogs are very wilful and the owners are useless. My friends poor little dog was killed by a staffie.remarkably nothing could be done in respect of charges Brought

Original poster
PodgePie · 30/05/2025 06:55

EleanorReally · 30/05/2025 06:52

that would the best thing to do,
rather than what people in my area, name and shame on facebook

Thank you. I wouldn’t dream of naming & shaming online but want her to understand the ramifications.

OP posts:
Original poster
PodgePie · 30/05/2025 06:56

dottiedodah · 30/05/2025 06:54

I would do that.So.e dogs are very wilful and the owners are useless. My friends poor little dog was killed by a staffie.remarkably nothing could be done in respect of charges Brought

This is completely horrifying - I’m so sorry to read this.

OP posts:
Springflowersyay · 30/05/2025 07:06

Can you walk them elsewhere? This is what I would do and have done to keep my dog safe.

Biropens · 30/05/2025 07:08

PodgePie · 30/05/2025 06:51

No, the orchard has footpaths through & around it.
I possibly sound smug but my dogs walk at heel, as I have trained them to do.

Show quote history

But it will be private property that has permitted access

contact the landowner?

Original poster
PodgePie · 30/05/2025 07:15

Springflowersyay · 30/05/2025 07:06

Can you walk them elsewhere? This is what I would do and have done to keep my dog safe.

I think I might have to sadly - it’s such a lovely space & we shouldn’t have to avoid it because of one reckless individual.

OP posts:
Original poster
PodgePie · 30/05/2025 07:15

Biropens · 30/05/2025 07:08

But it will be private property that has permitted access

contact the landowner?

Show quote history

Excellent idea - I know the people who own it so will contact them this morning. I don’t know what powers they’d have but certainly worth exploring.

OP posts:
Jklow1254 · 30/05/2025 07:19

Can you report to the dog warden? There is a dog terrorising our village at the moment, our on-lead dog suffered a nasty attack a few months ago. We reported the owner and they have sent her a warning.

Chasingsquirrels · 30/05/2025 07:20

Honestly, I'd report the situation you've described.
https://www.gov.uk/control-dog-public

My last dog wasn't happy around other dogs, and despite constant work had awful recall. As a result he was walked mainly on a long lead and brought to heel if other dogs were around. Because he was restrained he could be very barky when passing other dogs. This was because he wanted to get away, NOT because he would be in any way aggressive if he was loose.

The number of other dog owners who had no understanding of this was unreal. They'd let their dog approach mine regardless, and then act like I/my dog were the unreasonable ones despite mine being totally under control (on a lead right by me and only mid-sized so very easy to move out of any situation if needed).

Controlling your dog in public

You can be fined if your dog is out of control in public - find out about Dog Control Orders, banned dogs, dog fouling and reporting a dangerous dog

https://www.gov.uk/control-dog-public

Tbrh · 30/05/2025 07:21

PodgePie · 30/05/2025 06:45

Full intent to fight - this wasn’t a playful act.

Show quote history

Why don't you report it? What if the next time it's a toddler?

Original poster
PodgePie · 30/05/2025 07:21

Chasingsquirrels · 30/05/2025 07:20

Honestly, I'd report the situation you've described.
https://www.gov.uk/control-dog-public

My last dog wasn't happy around other dogs, and despite constant work had awful recall. As a result he was walked mainly on a long lead and brought to heel if other dogs were around. Because he was restrained he could be very barky when passing other dogs. This was because he wanted to get away, NOT because he would be in any way aggressive if he was loose.

The number of other dog owners who had no understanding of this was unreal. They'd let their dog approach mine regardless, and then act like I/my dog were the unreasonable ones despite mine being totally under control (on a lead right by me and only mid-sized so very easy to move out of any situation if needed).

Edited

This is really helpful, thank you. Sorry you had to deal with so much ignorance too.

OP posts: