Are there still any responsible dog owners left?

[Cla7]

I just got attacked by three dogs in our local park when I was out with my toddler. Knowing what might happen, I always stay right at his side so I was able to lift him up when the dogs charged at him. They started to jump up at me and nipped me, luckily not him. I screamed at the dog owners but they weren’t even that bothered, just half heartedly called them back. No apology, apparently it’s fine because they only nipped me and ‘had they actually attacked I wouldn’t be standing here talking anymore’. I have red bite marks but no broken skin. They doubled down saying that toddlers reassemble prey and that everyone with a brain should know that, so why would I take my toddler to a park where dogs are around.

Am I really expecting too much wanting to walk in the park with my toddler and not get attacked? Sadly this is not the first time it’s happened. Where have we come to and in the light of dog owners not being responsible, is it time for stricter rules?

You are being really weird on this thread. Get a grip.

He might have been running in the 'wrong' place but the dog should have recall enough to come away when called. If it was called of course. There is never any reason for a dog to bother someone else, no matter what patch of ground its on.

YANBU. It’s not all dog owners. We have a puppy and we’re still training her and often take her to the park and woods on a long lead as we can’t trust her recall. If a jogger or person walks past I pick up the lead just so I can make sure she doesn’t lunge at someone. We also avoid certain groups of people with their dogs as i don’t trust other dogs to be under control.

My puppy loves people but quite rightly not everyone wants a puppy to lunge at them on their walk so she’s always under control. I used to hate it when puppies used to jump up at me.

The goal is that she eventually ignores people and can walk past calmly and obeying my commands but until that happens she’s on a lead.

I am not fan of dogs, esp in cafes etc. But I can recognise that there are still many really good dog owners like you around.

what happened not be a big deal

It is a big deal. Dogs should not run up to people or other dogs. Period. In the dog world, if dog A runs up to dog B, dog B will consider dog A to be rude, and will likely tell it off. Then all the owners argue about who was at fault, so a dog running up to a person or a child is equally rude.

It is always the fault of the dog that runs up. If you watch how polite dogs interact, they will look at each other, pause, likely walk past each other to the side, then gently approach. They do not just barge up to each other without a much higher chance of argy bargy breaking out. I wish more owners understood this.

Well the council, police and dog warden all disagreed with you and him.
None of the dogs jumped at him they either joined him on his run or turned to look at him/say hello when he ran up behind them.
If you dont want to interact with dogs dont go running in a dog park that is specifically fenced off and designated for dogs

Hi OP. You absolutely shouldn't not have had to experience this. Off -lead dogs should have 100% recall or be on a lead. As a dog owner, if I do not know that my dog will recall immediately, it's on a lead. This would prevent the vast majority of negative interactions.
This of course, requires focus and concentration by the owner. Interesting that there were 2 owners. I often find the dog owners who walk in a couple or group lose focus on their dog and are slow to recall, although there are also those who solo walk with a mobile glued to their ears. These sorts of people are often 'red flags' and it would be wise to be more aware around them.

I hope you have reported it to 111? Always ask for details, take photos at home and report. But YABU, there are lots of responsible dog owners around. As with all strands of life, a few idiots tar the rest.

A man has died this weekend after being bitten by a dog in a local park

https://news.sky.com/story/man-dies-after-being-bitten-by-dog-in-wakefield-as-police-make-murder-arrest-13573111

There are too many dogs and not enough controls around who can own them.

But dogs shouldn’t be coming up to people they don’t know. And why should someone without knowledge of dogs have to consider if their actions are going to wind the dog up?

I’m allergic to dogs as they set my asthma off. Over the last few years the behaviour of dogs has gotten worse.

Agree with this - I didn’t grow up in a dog household. None of my family have dogs. I have a few friends with dogs but I’m allergic so I don’t have anything to do with them. Why on earth would I know what to do with a dog?

I had to explain to someone once that no I couldn’t let their dog out for a wee because (allergy aside) I have no idea how to bring it back in or interact with it at all

Soo from what you are saying:- every time you take your toddler to the park you are both "attacked" by marauding dogs. Please advise us of this public space so we can avoid!

No she'd rather post a sensational post on MN and wallow in the outrage. Much more satisfying

Yes, I've been told a few times how being helpful means I'm being 'weird'.

Touch grass.

Can YOU hear YOURSELF, equating dogs with humans?!

Firstly OP I’m really sorry this has happened to you . It must’ve been very upsetting, and I hope you are all ok now.
secondly , I still see many responsible dog owners out and about so I’d like to think they outweigh the irresponsible ones!
thirdly, I’m sorry some of the posts here haven’t been that supportive. I’m coming to the conclusion that many people on here are just not very nice

take care x

The ones that do attack people, don't just do it once, however.

Do you really think everybody’s stupid? You need to stop these disingenuous offers of ‘help.’ You are just trying to catch the OP out and hope that somehow it will prove your mistaken belief that she’s lying about this. We can see through you. Pathetic.

Or maybe the OP is lying / exaggerating? 🤷‍♀️ Do you think everyone on MN is honest?

I didn’t do that. I challenged a batshit poster who said she wants all dogs killed.

Do you prefer ban all cars because some people get hit by cars? I stand by the men example, men are much more dangerous to women than anything else but we don’t keep them locked up for limited use, nor do we (in civilised societies) lock up women to protect them from violent misogynist men. If you can’t understand the example then that’s your problem.

No. But the whole board would be completely pointless if we disbelieved everything everyone said.

That's what the pub I go to say. The first time I walked in with several dogs on loose lead in one hand they were amazed. They refer a lot of people to me now.

We need dog wardens back so we can report directly to someone who can actually do something and may also know the owners/dogs concerned and might have a profile which can help the police.

We need stricter laws if there are injuries - if your dog injures someone (or another dog/livestock/pet), the owner is responsible - eg if the dog bites you or knocks you off your bike but the injury is mild it's ABH. If it's serious, GBH and if it kills someone, it's manslaughter,

Such laws will have no impact on the responsible dog owners but may make the entitled ones think again.

A lot of councils have got rid of their dog wardens and I doubt the police will act unless someone has been very badly injured. Although someone did get bitten by a dog in a park near me a few weeks ago and the local police did put a post up about it on Facebook asking if there were witnesses. So perhaps they do more than I think.

My default is to expect exaggeration as a minimum. People want support, so they're bound to over-egg in their favour.

My dog does amazing loose lead walking. He's a very good boy.