UNHINGED woman screaming at me for “putting my dog in boot”

[Brouge]

I don’t deny my dog was in the boot of my (saloon) car for 30 secs. BUT we get the dog to jump in the boot where we have towels to give him a wipe down before putting him on the back seat. The boot is totally self contained so OBVIOUSLY it would be very bloody cruel.

Did this yesterday and this nutter comes screaming over from the other side of the park’s car park asking if I was serious. I tried explaining to her what I was doing but she wouldn’t have any of it. It was really weird. I said go look at the backseat of my car where you will see a dog seatbelt and car seat cover. Clearly a set up for the dog. But she refused to look. Said I was only putting the dog in the back cause I got caught out. Took photos of my license plate and said she was going to post me online and report me. What the actual fuck. She was an inch from my face at one point.

It’s so bizarre!

😂😂😂
if she was filming you, I would have carried on towel drying the dog and then put his harness on and let him into the back seat as normal. if you are not on facebook then don't worry about it.

Not all cars are hatchbacks or estates. Some people drive saloons (like OP) where the boot is a self contained box, outside of the rest of the car. A dog wouldn't be able to sit up or turn around, let alone see out, and air supply would be limited. If that's not actually illegal, it should be.

I wouldn't worry about it. If anything is brought to your attention explain the situation but try not to give it any more headspace. I used to change DCs nappies when they were little in the boot and other school Mums do the same. I've certainly never driven off with them in there.

Well clearly it's true for OP's car so do give over. Nobody really cares how much you know (or don't know) about cars. It's really not important to this post.

I used to change my dd and ds's nappies in the boot of the car. She'd have had apoplexy at that!

This reminds me of once when my DCs were small, I had to strap one in the buggy quite forcefully (as they were a toddler and going to run into the road otherwise) and I had similar from a nutter, across the road shouting and going on!

I'd put a note up where you were walking "warning, aggressive dog walker nearby" and then do a stick figure shouting near a car boot at the bottom.

People can be strange. Be glad she's not your neighbour or family member.

My dog always travels in the boot. She is well trained to tolerate it and has very positive associations with it, she jumps in willingly and settles down in her bed. It's essentially a crate, so the same size rules apply, as long they dog can fully stand, sit and turn they should be okay.

On a side note, what I see all the time which annoys me is unsecured dogs. Lots of people sue doggy seatbelts for the protection of the dog, but actually they aren't going to do much in a big crash and unfortunately a dog cannot really be kept safe in any car travelling at speed. What they are for is to restrain any dog which could become agitated and/or dangerous in the event of a crash. My dog is as calm and controlled as they come but in a motorway crash I am realistic to know she would be confused, scared and protective of us, and would be a danger and possibly prevent paramedics from assisting my family. So the boot with a bar it is. Would never about at a stranger for it though lol.

It’s highly likely she has mental health issues OP - this isn’t normal or reasonable behaviour. Ignore and feel sorry for her, what a sad individual she is.

I used to put the kids in the boot to dry them off and brush off sand, sometimes hung a blanket over the lid so they could change. We fostered too, would have been interesting if we'd been outed in social media.
Some people are bonkers.

‘Go away and seek therapy, you lunatic’

I used to change my kid's nappy in the boot...

Don't worry about it. I can imagine it was very unpleasant but you haven't done anything wrong. She shouldn't have approached you unless she saw you close the boot lid with the dog inside. Maybe you can ask a friend with a sm account to see if they can find anything and then post to.explain or report for spreading falsehoods.

We used to have an old Volvo estate with rear facing child seats in the boot . That used to blow a lot of people's minds. Was completely legal though.

If anything comes of it and anyone recognises you, you can explain and tell the truth. If you never hear anything about it, who cares, and it doesn't matter. Half these groups where people name and shame are all context dependant anyway. I've seen quite a few where people have berated people for parking but then it's been explained and there was a reason, or they weren't even parked (i.e. just dropping off), or something else that was absolutely reasonable. I got one once for being over the line in the far left space so on the white criss cross markings. But when I parked there was another car next to me over the line into MY space, and I just thought well if I put it there a little over the line it's not hurting anyone as it's the end space (and the only available). But yet people jumped on saying I shouldn't be driving, needed to go to specsavers etc. I was literally in there for 10 minutes grabbing a prescription for my 85 year old grandad, didn't cause anyone any harm or hassle, and it was caused by someone else in the first place!

My ex did the same with his little spaniel. Used to be good as gold on her little bed in the boot and with the freedom to pop her head up/sit up if she wanted. Usually though she just happily snoozed until we got to our destination.

Did you actually close the lid, or was your dog just sitting in the open boot being dried off by you @Brouge ? If the latter, no-one is going to take her seriously.

There’s some strange people about.

I got accosted by a woman screaming at me about dogs dying in hot cars once.

We’d been out for the day with the kids and the dog. Stopped off at Sainsbury’s to grab some bits for dinner. DH took the kids into the shop while I sat in the car with the dog.

Both passenger doors (I was in the front passenger seat) were wide open as we’d parked over an edge bit so could open them without getting in anyone’s way, however, dog had chosen to settle himself on the driver’s seat and jam his nose through the 2 inch gap where DH had had his window open.

A woman saw him, came round to my side of the car and full on laid into me.

A) We were parked on the ground floor of a 2 storey carpark so the car was in the shade

B) as I said, both passenger side doors were wide open

and C) I was sat right there next to him

I was like, you can see the doors are open and you can see I’m right here with him, are you ok?

She took photos of me and I half expected to end up on social media but I never saw anything.

A Renault Clio isn’t a saloon though. Clearly the deranged woman thought they planned to close the dogs into a self contained, pitch black boot (which wouldn’t be acceptable)

Oh god me too! I happened upon some addicts cooking up their drugs, right out in the open and a went a bit apeshit and stamped on their drugs/equipment. That was the decider for trying hrt really.

I agree with other posters, some people leave the house bristling and looking for a row.

Fascinating comment from the poster who knew all about car boots though

For what crime? I can't understand why anyone interacts with idiots who find it necessary to vent their spleen on things that don't concern them. Ignoring them means that you don't get uptight and they get more and more irate which can be very amusing. Maybe point a phone at them and take a picture, that really annoys them.

Verbal assault. Also defamation if she does post it online. I appreciate they’re. unlikely to do anything for a one off. I just frustrates me that people get away with behaving so appallingly and intimidating other people.

I think it's fine for short journeys e.g. to the park. Dog lies down, has a little nap, harmless.

i have a goldie. Far too big imo. I would not subject my dog to being unable to turnaround/sit up

I agree, I've (in my misspent youth) travelled many times in the boot of a saloon car. Would depend on the dog- my sighthound loves hiding in small spaces, it wouldn't faze him at all .