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?

I've got a Lab and a springer spaniel and they walk to heel, one each side.

You did do that. And you’ve done it again.

In response to somebody saying all dogs should be put down. So matching hyperbole with hyperbole. Do you get it?

Well, yes, to a point. But I wouldn’t use the murder of people as any sort of answer to a cull of dogs (which I have not suggested is right).

As I said, hyperbole.

I hope you and your little one are ok. The problem is the owners and I’m not sure stricter rules would change their attitude, sadly. I’ve witnessed it - had a dog run up and snarl in my toddler’s face while he was standing holding my hand. The owner couldn’t have cared less. I’m not anti dog - I have a large, young dog and young kids. He wasn’t off a training lead until he had perfect recall and was trained in a dog field. Most areas have them and you can pay to let your dog run free to their heart’s content. If you can’t control your dog, don’t take it to the bloody park full of people. Not rocket science. 🤦🏼‍♀️

I’ve had this with my boys, I am guessing human boys give out a scent dogs don’t like as they’ve gone for them for no reason (they were just standing there looking at leaves on a bush). That or dogs start fighting with other dogs they don’t know, I’ve been nipped before and yes some owners couldn’t care less.

Some dog owners are ok, but I believe many people buy a dog to complete this family ideal, but they have no time or energy to properly socialise, care, exercise and spend the amount of time you need to ie be retired or not work. Dogs are left for huge amounts of time and the majority are stressed and tired. All leading to anxious or bored dogs that have minimal social skills.

@Noodles1234 Yes, I've known people who leave their dogs cooped up at home whilst they're out working or - like my friend - leave them caged up in the back of the car while they're shopping, etc.

Then there's the friend's propensity for giggling about her dogs: "Oh [dog's name] is such a tart!"

Nope, you’re drawing false conclusions because it serves you’re rabid, trollish purposes. I pity sad, loveless little people like you 😁

What on earth are you talking about?

Does your tactic of telling people what to do work IRL or do you just feel particularly snarky here? You don't get to control what I say, to whom I say it, why I say it, where I say it and how I say it. Hope that helps. Wind your neck in.

Meanwhile in Wakefield, a man has died of his injuries caused by an out of control Alsatian. The complacency on here and the minimiaing is just awful.

dog people want to live in denial about it because it serves them. If dogs were a problem then they might have to face up to appropriate boundaries and restrictions. These are inconvenient easier to refuse to acknowledge the issue

You don't get to control what I say, to whom I say it, why I say it, where I say it and how I say it

Lol. Did you wag your finger as you typed that? It’s up to you of course whether you want to continue this disingenuous approach of offering ‘help’ or not.

I cannot believe the defensiveness on this thread.

Of course your experience is not okay, and I can see why you feel this way about dog owners. I am a dog owner, have been my whole life, and I share your view.

Society has completely humanised dogs and it’s leading to behavioural issues. A man was killed by a German shepherd in a park over the weekend.

If I dog is off the lead then it needs perfect recall and shouldn’t be approaching anyone but its owner.

dog people want to live in denial about it because it serves them

That should read "irresponsible dog people want..."

Responsible dog people would welcome regulation around breeding (too many irresponsible breeders), where you can get a dog (too many unregulated sources leading to an increase in irresponsible breeding), regulation on training (anyone can call themselves a trainer despite having no qualifications. Some are even on the television making programmes), regulation on foreign rescue dogs being brought in (pretty much all the foreign rescues I've ever come across have issues of some form or another), regulation on who can have a dog (this is tricky, and I wish there could be some means of filtering out potential owners who treat their dog like a baby, and not a dog), etc etc.

It's not relevant to OPs incident though.. that story reads as an 'altercation' where a man has died after a dog bite and the owner has been charged with murder. In other words, he used his dog as a weapon, in a targeted attack.

The dog 'attack' that OP describes is nothing like what has happened there, it is stupid owners letting their stupid dogs run over to anyone they like, they got excited when she picked her child up, they jumped up and nipped at her .. it's not a vicious dog attack at all.. but it IS completely unacceptable that the owners allow it.

I've had dogs all my life and I'm sick to the back teeth of these idiots letting their dogs do whatever they like.. my dog has become so reactive to bolshy dogs now that he will actually bite a dog that won't stop pestering him to see them off .. the owners soon change their tune then, even though I warn them in advance to get their dog.. anyone who allows their dogs to do this are halfwits.. and it is a problem that has mostly come about since lockdown.

Quite right. That is what being under control means - and it is a legal requirement, not an optional extra that the owner is free to kindly do if they feel like it.

"Under control" appears to have different meanings for different people. Some view it as being nowhere in sight, running up to other people, while they are busy scrolling, whereas the rest of us view it as having them walk near us and coming back when asked.

I don't think those people even think about whether their pet is under control or not in fairness, it is not on their radar in any way shape or form, it seems to go hand in hand with them being thick as shit IME

What they think is (if you can call it that), my dog is not "aggressive", so it should be allowed to go up to anyone and everyone, it's "cruel" to keep it contained on a lead when it has so much fun off lead doing whatever it wants, with no thought of other people who want to enjoy those spaces without being harassed.

IMO it speaks of a bigger problem in society, in that people just aren't considerate anymore, some people just honestly don't think about anyone but themselves, the same sort of people chuck litter out of their windows, block junctions or park like twats, leave mess for others to clean up, shout and swear wherever they are.. I see it everywhere I go unfortunately and frequently as a responsible dog owner.. it's getting worse too.

What they think is (if you can call it that), my dog is not "aggressive", so it should be allowed to go up to anyone and everyone, it's "cruel" to keep it contained on a lead when it has so much fun off lead doing whatever it wants, with no thought of other people who want to enjoy those spaces without being harassed.

This hits the nail on the head - viewing the dog as though it should have the same freedoms as a person. Which doesn’t make sense anyway because people don’t tend to run up to strangers and harass them, and if they do their are consequences.

@SandyHappyPerson
IMO it speaks of a bigger problem in society, in that people just aren't considerate anymore

I agree with this. It started when Blair got in as the self reliance seemed to become a lesser principle. Now people are just so self absorbed, they either don't notice that other people share the planet with them, or they don't care.

Then again, my opinion is a little skewed as I also encounter owners who do care, but don't know what to do, or who still, despite all evidence that they shouldn't, treat their dogs like babies. I have one at the moment who has nipped people, is scared stiff of everything to the point where it will look like it is attacking another dog (to make it go away), follows the owner around the house incessantly, screams the place down if it is left alone etc etc. Still the owner won't listen that it is him that is causing the dog to be so stressed. Not on purpose, but by smothering it with human values and not dog values. The poor thing doesn't understand our world and can't process it.

Fully agree

Yes our neighbours do this and go to work / out most evenings and weekends even go on holiday and have someone “pop” in. Needless to say the dog is insanely bored and barks / howls a lot. I strongly feel people should have eyes wide open when thinking about having a dog and accept they need
Food, daily dog walking or hire a dog Walker, Vet bills, insurance and kennel care costs when on holiday. Or youre just not being fair on the dog or your neighbours. And yes they do bark when you’re out!

11 pages of dog hating rage bait. 🙄