Dog ate my picnic

[givingitupok]

Had a picnic with my child today in our local park. Random dog (Shar Pei) appeared out of nowhere and ran over to us. I stood up and picked up my child and ran in a panic and stood behind a tree (probably looked like a total fool doing so but there was nowhere else to go without running towards the dog!). No idea where the owner was at this point. Watched the dog eating our food and also drooling all over our lunch box. Owner suddenly appeared from a path that lead into the park screaming at her dog to 'get here now'. Dog totally ignored her and she had to grab it and literally drag it away and put the lead on it. She apologised but when I asked her if she was going to pay for our food she actually had the gall to say 'you should have picked it up when you saw him coming' !!! I have just got home and this literally only happend 45 mins ago so am still fuming. She did not pay for our food and despite initially apologising, was incredibly arsey and walked off in the opposite direction. My child is very upset and the worst bit is, he has SEN and made everything in the lunch box himself (spread the sandwiches, cut up the apples, broke the chocolate into pieces to fit it in the container, etc). This was quite a big thing for him and he's really upset. I am also on a low income and spent a lot on the food. I took a photo of her and it clearly has her face in it. Not sure why but I just felt like I had to do something. I am not going to name and shame, but I'm just so angry.

Not sure what I want from this thread. Just rather pissed off.

Sounds like it would have all happened so quickly too seeing this huge dog run over. I think you did what many would do OP and look after your child above everything else.

I find many dogs off lead in places they should be on and owners are amused to say the least at my reaction asking them to call the dog away. I am often mocked and told the dog is fine. The other week DH and our toddler DC was in a park on a swing and the family had their huge dog off lead (definitely not a dog-free park). I try to keep calm to show my kid not to be afraid (inside I’m shaking!). Suddenly the huge dog bounded towards us and came right up to me. DH looked after toddler and I said, “Do you mind calling your dog away I’ve got a phobia.” While they did (snickering away) I was hyperventilating for the next 10 minutes. I know my reaction probably sounds a bit much but truly big dogs charging out of the blue is confronting. I feel the owners should have more control.

When I go with my DC and if it is somewhere I feel may have off lead dogs, I will carry a long umbrella or a kids bat and a whistle specifically for dogs, just to have more gear in my hands just in case an aggressive dog did come over. Thankfully haven’t had anything happen yet.

Or just someone stirring the pot.

OP, sounds like a very stressful situation for you, I hope you and your son are over the shock of it. I love dogs but I can understand the fight/flight instinct kicking in. You’ve done the right/kind thing in alerting the dog’s owner to the grapes and chocolate. The only appropriate reaction from her should be gratitude for getting this info to her. Hopefully it hasn’t put your son off picnics and your next one will be extra tasty and dog-free. All the best to you. 💐

There's always one! How was she irresponsible? The dog's owner should have had it on a lead!

Yes, this is happening more often. Our children's playground has a clear sign on every gate saying there will be a £100 fine for any dogs found in the playground- yet some idiot will always take their dog in there!

The problem is there is no number given to report the problem to. I am always tempted to take a picture of the dog and owner but not sure where to send it or how they will be able to contact them from just a picture.

We had this happen recently, a dog ate our slobbered on my daughter's entire lunch box. Her sister and friends rallied round and shared their food with her, which was lovely, but the dog owner couldn't care less tbh. I love dogs, we always had a pet dog growing up, but after multiple incidents of dogs jumping up at my daughters and the sheer amount of dog poo on the pavements locally, I am really sick of irresponsible dog owners.

I hope your little boy is OK OP and not too disheartened after all his effort.

I took that as a joke not a suggestion

What do you mean by "Karma may be coming her way"?
Do you mean the dog or the owner?
Do you want the dog to be ill or worse because the dog did what dogs do?

And the chocolate.
Poor thing
Bloody twat of an owner.

I'd be mindful of teaching your dc to be scared of dogs. The dog should have been on a lead but I'd also do more of a check next time to see what kind of place you are setting up your picnic. I walk my dog in a set of fields and this week suddenly there are people picnicking everywhere. For the dog owners who use the field 365 days a year with no one there it's a bit of a surprise. It's not a park though. It's also not great for the picnickers as they are tending to set up in the areas without long grass which is also where most dogs pee and poo! It's picked up but still, I wouldn't want to be eating in those spots.

You should definately do this.
Poor dog.

But the dog doesnt does it.

Dog owners very rarely understand the real fear that some others have of dogs

No. Replace the words 'dog owners' with 'twats' please.

There are plenty of responsible dog owners. But twats will be twats.

So the Dog suffers??

Agree 100%.
It is mostly 'Lockdown' dog owners.
They have no idea how to look after their dog properly.
Poor dogs.

Exactly this.

So many (stupid) dog owners believe this and take their dog to the vet before they even become unwell. They have unnecessary treatment and the dog would have been totally fine. (See stories above)

Vets must see the £££ signs coming 😂

Nice.

What a shame your picnic was ruined. Like pp have said, unfortunately there are so many bad dog owners out there, it's really problematic. Your child will be scared of dogs for life, probably.

Personally I’d post on Facebook. Idiot owner.

Why did you run away, why didn't you just shoo the dog away?

This is insane to me- didnt you do research on what is safe for dogs before getting your first dog? Have you never done dog first aid? There are many things poisonous to dogs you should probably google. It’s irresponsible not to know these things!

It's quite a picture, isn't it? The ignorance of some dog owners is astonishing. No wonder we have a problem with dog behaviour.

Silly comment. The dog wasn't going to attack the family because it was distracted by the picnic. That's the whole point.

They are toxic but in relation to the dog’s body weight. A Shar Pei would likely have to consume more than was in an average picnic.

Aren’t you a charmer for wishing pain and a possible painful death (if it had consumed enough and didn’t get to a vet on time) death to an innocent animal.