To feel if a dog bites a child they should leave the restaurant?

[Bookishworms]

*edit: sorry for typos! Dog not dig

Out for lunch yesterday with kids, a casual family restaurant where dogs are allowed in. We love dogs and were sat in the section with dogs. No dramas.

One terrier on the table behind had barked at the waiter so seemed a but highly strung but had settled down. My son got up to go to the loo and the dog was startled, (i guess by the sound of the chair scrape and movement) and jumped up and bit my son! He hadn’t trod on it or anything just startled.

Settled son, no skin broken, and the owners just seemed to want to pretend it hadn’t happened. I said ‘your dog just bit my child…?!’ They said was he bleeding and oh sorry dog must have been startled. Then went back to their lunch. I was a bit taken aback - I don’t have a dog at the moment but have in the past and if it had bit someone I would have taken the dog out of that situation right away.

Anyways we just went back to our lunch rather than make a fuss as son wasn’t badly injured but then my friend who has a smaller child was pointing out that a snap like that on say, a toddler, or exposed skin, would have been a huge problem and I should have reported it. I don’t want the dog put down or anything but surely there should be consequences for the owners? If their dog gets stressed in places like restaurants they maybe shouldn’t bring the dog?

Maybe I under-reacted.

They reacted in kind. You didn’t make any fuss so neither did they. If you wanted not to be near the dog after that, you could have asked the owner to re-seat them. Your son obviously didn’t make a fuss either, it sounds like a bit of a non event. Nobody was hurt, nobody seemed bothered.

As a dog owner, I would have been mortified and made sure I swapped details and followed it up. I’d have asked if you wanted us to be moved, and would be concerned about my dog too. But if someone was presenting as really calm, I’d just go back to my meal, it wouldn’t occur to me to leave unless my dog was still showing signs of distress. I’d just move her away from people, keep her on a short leash.

Ooooh hold on there. He didn’t air snap he bit his leg. There were marks though the skin wasn’t broken.

Son hadn’t approached or interacted with the dog in any way, we were sat at our table and my son (back to their table) got up to go to the loo. The noise startled the dog who had been lying down who jumped up and bit him.

I’m not sure how from my initial post you feel my child had behaved badly?!

You still can. Call 101 tomorrow and report the offence. They can go to the pub and track the owners down. If the injury marks are there take pictures. I don’t understand why you haven’t already. If your son was assaulted by someone would you not do the same? It is the same. There is a whole legislation out there that puts owners on strict liability when it comes to keeping dogs under control, there isn’t even a defence to when dogs bite.

If your dog bit someone you ought to be doing a lot more than just ‘exchanging details’ your dog needs a muzzle at all times.

They need to leave the dog at home next time! Of course they can't have their dog in a public place if it cant be trusted.

@Changename12 Thats a great policy, because it puts the onus on the owners to keep their dogs under control. It’s our responsibility to control our dogs in public places-that’s why I don’t take my excitable dog to restaurants. He’s also been known to nip when he’s startled or overexcited. He bit me on the nose last week when we were playing!

At worst they’d be given would be a voluntary control order, the first word being the operative one though.

@Bookishworms now that you’ve had time to reflect, I would make sure you’ve got a picture of ds’s leg and phone the restaurant and 101 tonight. There’s nothing to be gained by waiting.

I agree that you under reacted. A dog bit your son.
As the people didn’t see a problem you should have told the staff.
I would have lost my shit. I like dogs, I have dogs. I would be beside myself if my dog bit anyone but especially a child!

You under acted. Can't believe you allowed your dog to be bitten by a dog (ok didn't break the skin) and you didn't react.

Uh, when was the last time a toddler mauled someone to death?

Dogs do that regularly.

Are you reading the right thread?

you clearly have never met Chucky.

No harm done so why create a drama over absolutely nothing 🤨

You think it’s fine for dogs to bite children?

people smell too you know!

Exactly so we should all just embrace the wet dog smell whilst paying a small fortune for a meal.

@ilovepixie

well yeah but they are humans. With money to spend in cafe. Dogs don’t need to be in a cafe. And plus most people do shower regularly, clean their teeth etc. dogs don’t. Humans cover their arses and genitals. Dogs don’t. Dogs don’t use toilet paper. Etc. So your point is moot.

Well - I just do not understand why dogs need to be in a cafe or restaurant, full stop. What do people imagine their dog is going to do while they sit over a full restaurant meal? Do they think it’s fun for the dog? They’re selfish on several levels and basically self-indulgent.

If dog walkers want coffee - get a takeaway. I wish this unhygienic trend would stop.

Yes they should have left
on another note it’s so annoying on these types of threads when people say “dogs shouldn’t be allowed in food establishments” it’s NOT your restaurant to decide this, your opinion on the matter is irrelevant and just takes up unnecessary space on this thread

Literally the point of the thread?!

I didn’t create a drama.

Yes this was very much not the point of the thread, agreed. We love dogs. Happy to be around them. Chose to be in a place with them there. Appreciate others wouldn’t. But assume they should behave of course and checking my assumptions on what is reasonable dog behaviour are right

Are people allowed to let their dog bite people without any come back these days? I’d assume the dog would be need to be put down. If it’s bitten once it could easily bite again.

Er…hello?

OP created no drama whatsoever, but subsequently reflected and wondered if perhaps she should have made more fuss.

Some people will misinterpret ANYTHING.

Nope. It’s an aggravated offence because it has caused injury. They’re likely to get a community order upon conviction and measures for the dog.