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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Parking when there are dogs around

738 replies

TheQuirkyMaker · 02/02/2026 08:05

I was in our local park yesterday, talking to another dog owner, when an SUV swept in right beside us, halted, and reversed into a parking space. As it reversed, I slapped it on the roof. The driver jumped out, angry, and I think was ready to give me a slap. I said the car park was empty (it was, it serves about 200 cars) and he had no need to park next to us and potentially hit a dog. He said he was parking near the skate park for his children, and our dogs should be on a lead (they weren't). They are elderly, obedient little dogs, and don't need to be on a leash but they are little and could be hit by a car.
I told him to "F--- Off" and felt okay at the time but couldn't sleep last night for worrying who was in the right.
Was I the unreasonable one?

OP posts:
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5
Orangesarenottheonlyfruit · 02/02/2026 08:08

So someone parked in an empty car parking space, you hit the car because YOUR dog was off the lead and they could hit it.
And it was their problem?
Yes, my dear, you were unreasonable

whytheduck · 02/02/2026 08:10

Was your dog under control or not. If yes, then why couldn't the car park there. If no, then that's your problem. Either way YABVU

Lemonfrost · 02/02/2026 08:10

This has to be a wind up. On the off chance it isn’t, you were completely unreasonable.

purpleme12 · 02/02/2026 08:10

You haven't really given any indication that he was being dangerous

Only that he was near some dogs in a car park

If you're worried about your dogs being in a car park they are going to be near cars aren't they. So they should be on a lead then if by your own admission they could be hit

Yes I think you're unreasonable

MrsBennetsPoorNervesAreBack · 02/02/2026 08:11

Yes, of course you were unreasonable.

He parked his car in a legitimate space in a car park. He could have parked further away if there was lots of space, but he did nothing wrong.

You had your dogs off lead in a car park, which was stupid imo in any case. You then behaved incredibly rudely and aggressively by hitting his car and swearing at him?

You're completely in the wrong here. It is your job to keep your dog safe in a car park.

PrizedPickledPopcorn · 02/02/2026 08:11

If your off lead dog is near a manoeuvring car, you call it to you and move away.

Are you a driver? Slapping a manoeuvring car is VVU and arsehole behaviour.

The driver parked where he often does, probably where it’s safe for his kids to get out on the park side of the car park. You probably gave him (and his kids) a heart attack, banging the car.

CrazyGoatLady · 02/02/2026 08:11

Put your dogs on a lead in car parks. Our adult two are fine off lead but we still don't risk it around cars. Not because of them, but because a driver may not see them, dogs can sometimes do unpredictable things as well.

GallonHat · 02/02/2026 08:12

This has to be a reverse.

Dear God, please let this be a reverse. Or just a post engineered to get me up and raging at the start of the working week.

PacificState · 02/02/2026 08:12

Yeah, don’t go around banging people’s cars (unless they are about to run someone over and you need to get their attention in an instant.) It’s an absolutely surefire way of making someone furious with you. And while it’s annoying when someone parks up next to you in an empty car park, it shouldn’t send you into an uncontrollable rage. And if your dog isn’t on the lead in the car park, that’s on you. (I sometimes don’t put mine on the lead in car parks, but I know I’m the one at fault and it’s up to me to be alert about what drivers are doing!)

stickydough · 02/02/2026 08:12

Absolutely unreasonable mate. Dogs shouldn’t be off lead in a car park, elderly or not.

smilingatthesun · 02/02/2026 08:13

Next time put your dog on the lead when your are in the car park. Completely unreasonable to hit the car that was parking in a parking space because your dog wasnt on their lead.
Next you'll be telling children not to run on the grass as there are dogs around

Original poster
TheQuirkyMaker · 02/02/2026 08:13

Lemonfrost · 02/02/2026 08:10

This has to be a wind up. On the off chance it isn’t, you were completely unreasonable.

Okay, maybe I was in the wrong. But an empty car park? Why decide to park near other cars anyway? And little dogs wandering around?

OP posts:
Taweofterror · 02/02/2026 08:13

Is this rage bait?! Of course you were unreasonable!

PrizedPickledPopcorn · 02/02/2026 08:13

Friend’s dog was run over last year. She still thinks the driver was unreasonable. Her dog wasn’t on a lead, walking with her alongside an access road, and dashed under the car.

Rooroobear · 02/02/2026 08:14

TheQuirkyMaker · 02/02/2026 08:13

Okay, maybe I was in the wrong. But an empty car park? Why decide to park near other cars anyway? And little dogs wandering around?

Show quote history

You were in the wrong. If he parked in an actual space he has the right to park there. Dogs around or not. Even if there were lots more spaces, they can park where they want in an actual space. I’d have been fuming at you too if you’d have slapped my car without cause!

stickydough · 02/02/2026 08:15

TheQuirkyMaker · 02/02/2026 08:13

Okay, maybe I was in the wrong. But an empty car park? Why decide to park near other cars anyway? And little dogs wandering around?

Show quote history

Because his life and choices weren’t revolving around you? He wanted the least amount of walking with his young children?

MrsBennetsPoorNervesAreBack · 02/02/2026 08:15

TheQuirkyMaker · 02/02/2026 08:13

Okay, maybe I was in the wrong. But an empty car park? Why decide to park near other cars anyway? And little dogs wandering around?

Show quote history

It might have been empty, but it was still a car park. Not a dog park. And he was entitled to park in any empty space.

Was this a one-off reaction or do you often behave like this? Sounds like you might need some help with your anger management.

PrizedPickledPopcorn · 02/02/2026 08:15

TheQuirkyMaker · 02/02/2026 08:13

Okay, maybe I was in the wrong. But an empty car park? Why decide to park near other cars anyway? And little dogs wandering around?

Show quote history

They shouldn’t be wandering around. Do you drive? The cars parked on that side because they wanted to. Maybe the other side was muddier, or they sensibly wanted their dc close to the path/gate so they aren’t wandering in the car park like your dog.

Original poster
TheQuirkyMaker · 02/02/2026 08:16

PacificState · 02/02/2026 08:12

Yeah, don’t go around banging people’s cars (unless they are about to run someone over and you need to get their attention in an instant.) It’s an absolutely surefire way of making someone furious with you. And while it’s annoying when someone parks up next to you in an empty car park, it shouldn’t send you into an uncontrollable rage. And if your dog isn’t on the lead in the car park, that’s on you. (I sometimes don’t put mine on the lead in car parks, but I know I’m the one at fault and it’s up to me to be alert about what drivers are doing!)

Thanks for the reasonable response. It was an empty car park, built to park about 200 cars. Why sweep in and reverse near the only two other cars there?
It wasn't through longing for our company.

OP posts:
IsawwhatIsaw · 02/02/2026 08:16

He’s not responsible for keeping your dog safe. That’s your job.

PacificState · 02/02/2026 08:17

Every car park has spaces that are ‘better’ than others (usually near the entrance). You’d clearly parked in one of those favoured spaces yourself! Why didn’t you park somewhere quieter if you wanted your dogs to wander around off lead?

Rooroobear · 02/02/2026 08:17

They also don’t need a reason to park where they want if it’s an actual space. Even if he turned up alone to go for a walk he can park where he wants in a car parking space. People don’t have to justify their actions their in the right

MrsBennetsPoorNervesAreBack · 02/02/2026 08:18

TheQuirkyMaker · 02/02/2026 08:16

Thanks for the reasonable response. It was an empty car park, built to park about 200 cars. Why sweep in and reverse near the only two other cars there?
It wasn't through longing for our company.

Show quote history

It's fine to think that you would have parked somewhere else. But he parked in a legitimate space, and that was his prerogative.

I can't believe that you told him to fuck off in front of his children.

Original poster
TheQuirkyMaker · 02/02/2026 08:18

MrsBennetsPoorNervesAreBack · 02/02/2026 08:15

It might have been empty, but it was still a car park. Not a dog park. And he was entitled to park in any empty space.

Was this a one-off reaction or do you often behave like this? Sounds like you might need some help with your anger management.

Show quote history

I don't agree. Of course he can park where he wants, but his children could walk 50 meters to the skate park if they were physically able to use it. Run over a dog to make a point that he doesn't like them?

OP posts:
Smoosha · 02/02/2026 08:18

TheQuirkyMaker · 02/02/2026 08:16

Thanks for the reasonable response. It was an empty car park, built to park about 200 cars. Why sweep in and reverse near the only two other cars there?
It wasn't through longing for our company.

Show quote history

It’s annoying when people park next to you in any car park yes. But that’s all it should be. Annoying. A quick eye roll and move on. He’s allowed to park there even if it’s annoying. It’s your job to keep your dog safe. There might be a reason he wants that space. Less walking across a car park small children. Possibly the same reason you wanted to park there with your dogs.