Completely outrageous dog owner behaviour

[Onepeople]

Went for a walk this evening. We live by the sea and my walking route was along the sea front, popular with dog walkers. I am often bothered by dogs off their leads coming up and sniffing me, running round my ankles etc. I find it bloody annoying and inconsiderate really but, whatever.

Tonight though. Dog comes running up to me, leaps up and covers my trousers with his muddy paws. This annoys me and I tell the owner to control her animal. She gives the typical 'He's only saying hello!' response, which always makes me wonder whether I should go up to dog owners and slobber all over them as it's 'only saying hello' apparently. Anyway, the dog carries on jumping up at my so I kick out at it to make it go away.

Obviously in an ideal world I wouldnt have needed to do this. And I kicked out at it, rather than actually kicking it. I knew I wouldn't actually make contact.

Owner comes running up to me, suddenly showing a burst of speed she wasn't capable of when the dog was misbehaving. She screams 'Dont you dare kick my fucking dog!' then shoves me with two hands right in my chest. I almost lost my balance, but just about stayed upright before her friend dragged her away. I honestly thought she was going to punch me.

Not sure why I am writing this other than the fact that I am still a bit shocked and shaky.

I know that not all dog owners are like this, and that this woman seems to be particularly twatty. But God sometimes I hate them all. Bloody dogs and their bloody inconsiderate owners. Control your animals!

Please don't kick an animal. Just walk in the opposite direction.

Well a) I didn't kick an animal. I kicked out at one that was jumping up at me, because dogs don't understand English despite their owners gently asking them to stop.

And b) Please dont shove me in the chest.

Don’t blame you. If the owner really cared about her dog she would not have put it in that situation.

unfortunately a dogs manners are usually an accurate reflection of the owners so not surprised she pushed you. I find an angry yell at the dog can sort things out.

hope you are Ok - can relate to the rage.

The owner saw you kicking towards her dog. She reacted by pushing you away. She was out of order but for fuck’s sake OP, don’t kick out at dogs.

That’s at least 3 very unlucky mumsnetters having incidents with dogs today.

I'm getting bloody sick of shitty dog owners like this!

I hope you're okay.

Your (b) point is misdirected since it wasn't me who shoved you.

Kicking out at an animal is not a good idea. But you already know that. You BOTH (the owner and you) behaved badly.

Imagine reading the OP and that’s the first thought that comes into your mind. The entitlement of dog owners knows no bounds.

She assaulted you.

Genuine question - What is the better response that you recommend when a large and muddy dog is jumping up at me? I had already walked on from when it first got involved with me.

The owner assaulted me. Was there a response that would not have resulted in her criminal behaviour?

Walking away from a dog is nigh on impossible, they follow and think it's a game.
The owner is batshit.

I have dogs and would have kicked out at a strange dog repeatedly jumping up at me, or kneed it in the belly as it jumped up. It is the owner's responsibility to keep their dog safe and they can't do that if it's not under control.

If you let your dog run up to people you have to accept that there’s a chance it will get booted 🤷‍♀️ and I say that as a dog lover

control your bloody dogs

walking into dogs that are jumping up at you will be more effective. I know it seems counter intuitive but the dog understands this better and usually gets the result you want a lot quicker.

Not that you shoukd have to do this of course. It woukd be better if dogs never jumped up at you, but you might find this tip helpful since you say it happens all the time.

Try not to kick animals, it really isn't kind. I absolutely cannot stand cats, fucking hate the buggers including my neighbours ones that climb in through my windows but I would never kick one.

You should have reported her to the dog warden at the local council.. A description of her and the ddog. She broke the law by not having control of it in a public place and assaulting you.
She laid hands on you. That's assault.

I saw a post on here once that made me laugh and then made me actually think.

Next time they say he's only being friendly/saying hello go up to the owner and give them a big hug while saying I'm only being friendly. They'll be horrified and if they see you again they will grab their dog and run in the opposite direction. Far better than kicking (out) at a dog which puts you at risk.

You should have spat on her - if she objected tell her it is no different to her dog covering your clothes in mud unrestrained.

I would (and have) push the dog down gently but firmly while saying hello to it. But then I like dogs and I don’t like violence towards animals.

The other woman was totally wrong, I don’t dispute that. I just think you probably scared her because she thought her dog was in danger.

I live by the sea too and walk on the seafront and beach every day.
My dog sadly died and I am very pleased to see dogs out and about.
Rarely though does one want to give me the time of day, they're normally busy with their own stuff going on - balls, sticks, playing with other dogs and their owners or in the sea.
I would love to know how all the " I am often bothered by dogs off their leads coming up and sniffing me, running round my ankles" people attract the dogs so effectively as I'd love to be able to do that so I can give them a tickle.

If she assaulted you OP you should have called the police and told her that she shoved you when you kicked out at her dog.

This is not a joke - I am disabled and if a dog jumped up at me I would fall over and be unable to get up, and would be very likely to break a bone.

Its an epidemic genuinely. I'm fucking sick of them too. I'm actually a bit scared of big dogs so I don't think I could be as ballsy as OP and go to kick it though, I wish I was. 🤣

If someone pushed me in the chest after her dog jumped up at me she would seriously regret it.

I love dogs and am a dog owner but yanbu to react as you did.

If you can’t control your dog don’t let it off the lead!

I am not blaming you for your response.. As a dog owner.. I keep my dogs on leads unless we are on a lonely beach (lots here) . KNEE to the chest of any dog jumping at you.if it is just a bouncy idiot..if it is snarling then ya.. kicking out at it is ok.

Whilst I understand dogs with muddy paws jumping up is annoying (have had happen to me) I wouldn’t kick out towards a dog just because it’s annoying. Kicking out towards an animal could result in harm to the animal which would not sit well with me. But then, I don’t dislike or hate dogs so 🤷‍♀️

The owner’s reaction isn’t ok either.

if your solution to bad behaviour is worse behaviour, you’ve missed it!

Dogs dont know better, adult humans do.

Dogs arent humans.. I thought that was what we are told so often...

A human adult deliberately behaving like a poorly trained dog is just Bizarre.