I’m so tired of people with dangerous dogs ruining the park for everyone else.

[Purplehat123]

I’m so tired of people with dangerous dogs ruining the park for everyone else.

Every time I take my children and our small cavapoo to the park, there’s always someone with an intimidating dog off the lead. Yesterday it was a man with a huge German Shepherd (and I mean huge), a bully breed on a lead, and an Akita off the lead just wandering around.

This is a busy, very suburban park, full of families and young children. And there I am, trying to scoop up my two toddlers, push the pram with the baby, grab the dog, and move away as fast as possible because I am not taking the risk of one of those dogs attacking. And let’s be honest, if something did happen, I’d have to sacrifice my dog to protect my children.

Even the two dogs that were technically on a lead, if they decided to go for another dog or child, there’s no way he could have held them back. They were enormous, powerful breeds.

And don’t get me started on the Akita. It was off-lead, trotting around freely as if that’s totally normal. Akitas were originally bred to guard property and hunt large game, including bears. They are strong, territorial, and known for being aggressive toward other dogs. They can be incredibly unpredictable and are not the type of breed you let wander freely in a public park full of children and pets.

Today it was a woman with a giant Rottweiler off-lead, paying absolutely no attention while she scrolled on her phone. Again, no control, no awareness. Rottweilers were originally bred to drive cattle and guard livestock, and they are incredibly strong, protective dogs. They have a natural guarding instinct, which can easily turn dangerous when not properly controlled. It’s no coincidence that they feature in so many fatal dog attacks, especially involving children. The number of child deaths caused by Rottweilers is horrifying and well-documented. It doesn’t matter how sweet you think your dog is at home but when a dog like that turns, it’s too late to stop it.

Far too many times my own dog, who is a total wimp and literally gets bullied by a chihuahua, has been attacked by dogs whose owners claim, “Oh, they never normally do that.” It’s always after the fact, once the damage is done.

And honestly, it’s the complete lack of awareness that really gets me. You might think your dog is friendly, but when you’re letting it freely wander up to children and other dogs, especially massive, powerful breeds, it’s terrifying. It might not scare you, but to everyone else, it’s incredibly intimidating.

I love dogs. I grew up with them. But this constant anxiety when I take my children out is exhausting. I shouldn’t have to be on high alert every time we go to the park because someone refuses to take basic responsibility for an animal that could cause serious harm.

I have 2 small dogs. One walked off lead, unless I see another dog on a lead or acting in a way I dont like, the other on the lead more because she will sometimes run up to other dogs and if they dont know her, it can be worrying (she is a pug, as much danger as an oven mitt, but its still not ok, which is why she gets less off lead time and only in certain conditions).

I am so sick of people 'walking their dogs' while they are on their phones. Not watching what they are doing, not watching for danger, and not seeing when they shit so not picking it up.

A few years ago there was a woman on here ranting about someone telling her she should be monitoring her dog instead of being on her phone. Stating it was her only time to check her socials etc etc. She was absolutely indignant about the implication she was irresponsible. People like that give dog owners a bad name.

There has been a major crackdown, this from the BBC website 13/05/2024.

Tougher penalties have come into force for dog owners in England and Wales who allow their pets to attack people.
The maximum prison sentence for allowing a dog to carry out a fatal attack on a person has increased to 14 years from two years previously.
Allowing a dog to cause injury can now be punished by five years in prison, up from a previous maximum of two years.
Animal welfare minister Lord de Mauley said it was "only right" owners should face tough punishments after attacks.
"Irresponsible dog owners will not only face longer prison sentences, but will also be liable for prosecution regardless of where an attack takes place, even in their own home.
"This will give protection to those who provide vital services in the community - postal workers, nurses, utility workers - as well as people visiting family and friends."

Ah, that makes more sense. You are not alone. It crops up on here all the time, and in the real world. "Dogs should all be on leads", usually because of the owner of a problem dog who inflicts it on the rest of us who didn't sign up to have any involvement, and refuses to take responsibility for fixing their own dog. Or some such.

Not enough and it's all reactive rather than proactive. Why not ban the dogs before they get chance to maim or kill?

What would you like them to do instead?

Sounds like a you issue tbh, you're clearly very nervous around large breeds.
From your description in the OP two of the three were off lead, you haven't said they were out of control so presumably they weren't. I suggest you stop second guessing how well other people have trained their dogs.

From what you have said two out of the three dogs were on a lead, and the third dog was off lead but not bothering anyone (except by existing)?

Dogs absolutely should be under control in public, but it sounds as if these three were under control?

I had a very timid and well behaved German shepard. However i get sick of scary dogs everywhere especially as my sons are scared of them

breed/size is relevant though- certain breeds are statistically much more likely to be involved in fatal attacks… I would also question the decision making (and type of environment a dog is raised) by someone who chooses to own a bull breed, large German shepherd and Akita that they would have no hope at all of controlling if they really needed to.

Agree, lots of people saying the same on local Facebook group.

Dogs are attacking wildlife and chick's in parks as well.where there is water.
Still some people are refusing even when they know the dog is doing this.

Couldn’t agree more!

3 year old girl attacked by Cockerpoo in Kent June 2025.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/metro.co.uk/2025/06/21/toddler-3-arm-ripped-open-mauled-cockapoo-outside-school-23470410/amp/

My dog is a labrador retriever. Let’s all hope he doesn’t do stereotypical retrieving things in the park and start trying to bring me back toddlers. I’m scared stiff of them and they’re so unpredictable.

Another great reason all dogs a toddler couldn’t beat in a fight should be banned.

A dog jumped (damp paws on clothes) then licked my child’s arm. Owner smiled indulgently and said ‘oh sorry, he’s friendly’ I just walked off with him muttering something.

Ban what? All dogs? Any dog can attack if provoked, poorly trained/cared for, gets ill so is your solution ban all dogs everywhere?

Ah, Oona posts on all dog threads about how the government need to do "something" about "all the dogs".

You are anxious about dogs on leads. That is a you problem. What does "technically on a lead" mean?

Tbh OP I'm sick of all dogs ruining it for everyone else, and it's usually the smaller ones that are more yappy and aggressive. Most of all I hate seeing owners who let them sit on seats in cafes etc that people also sit on, its gross.

For the same reason we haven't banned cars despite countless fatal RTAs caused by dangerous driving or driving whilst under the influence: the majority don't drive like lunatics or whilst drunk or haven taken drugs.
There are 13 million dogs in the UK, one in 3 households has one. Whilst every dog-caused fatality is an unnecessary tragedy, it isn't fair or appropriate to ban breeds unless there is clearly a major problem with that breed, as has clearly been the case with XL Bullies and the American Pit Bull Terrier before it. My only criticism of the XL Bully ban is that the Government imo should have introduced the ban far earlier than it actually did, given the extremely high level of fatalities.
I have just posted a link to a Cockerpoo attack on a 3 year old outside a school in Rainham, Kent last month. Should this breed be banned as well now?

Dog owners could have to take their dog/puppy to classes by law and only be allowed out wo a lead and/or a muzzle until they've pass a test?
A bit like you can’t drive a car wo a driving test.

I mean the issue here is first and foremost the owners right?
And most of those won’t get sentenced (unless have got really serious) and truly believe their dog is different and is great/not a danger/behaves well (even when it doesn’t)

I don’t know if it’s a good idea or not.
im sure people will find holes etc….
But apart from (mandatory) training, I’m not sure how you can teach owners that a good recall is essential and not letting your dog run towards anyone and everyone is not ok.

I agree OP. My DS had to give up rollerblading in the park because for some reason every single dog treated him like a prey species when he was on rollerblades. The owners didn't care one bit. The dog would just be leaping up in his face and barking savagely and they were not interested.

Every single dog?

It sounds like you are scared of dogs and also automatically make assumptions based on size of dog, not body language. It's body language that is key. Dogs were all bred for something, but some are so far removed from working lines now. Large dogs are often far more docile and calmer than smaller breeds. They also normally get trained far more intensely if the owner is decent because it's not "cute" behaviour in a large dog, but accepted (wrongly so) when the dog is small. I.e the amount of times a small dog has jumped or pawed me and the owner says, "oh isnt that cute". No... It isn't.

Interestingly, at a recent wedding we went to, 2 vets we had both said cavapoos were causing them the most problems due to poor breeding, often during covid, wrong temprament poodles creating highly strung dogs with unpredictable natures.

Terrible comparison though, cars are necessary to get to work & school, whereas dogs are an animal held captive as a source of amusement / plaything for the people who keep them.