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?

What happened to and your little one was appalling @Cla7 and the way that it was carelessly dismissed by the owners of the creatures just adds insult to injury. They implied that the park belongs to the dogs and your toddler shouldn't have been there.
Unfortunately too many dog owners are absolute shitheads🤬🤬

Phone the police, please.

It doesn't have to be 999. Just contact them as normal - there are other lines.

Maybe look up ways to protect your child & yourself. I love animals but….
Personally I’d always wear tough jeans & good hard toed shoes & kick attacking dogs in the area of their kidneys, never put head or arms near attacking dogs.

My dog can be a twat so I keep him on a lead in public. Other people's dogs run up to us aaaaall the time. Luckily he's friendly so no harm done but small/"friendly looking" dogs can get away with it whereas my dog is large and "scary" looking so if I did that, I'd end up being dragged on the local FB group. Adorable labs seem to be the worst offenders 😁 I sometimes feel like I'm the only only sticking to the rules. That said, I've also had multiple occasions where small children have been allowed to run up to him with their arms out.

Op in the nicest possible way does attack mean jump up? (And before anyone jumps on me I am just curious because very few dog owners wouldn’t at least panic a little given the chance they’d get in trouble)

This is good advice, also carry a sturdy stick or pole, if the arrogant shithead tosser owner complains that you whacked his dog tell him too bad it's a predator and I have to follow my instinct to defend myself.
Wtf, telling you that your child looks like prey!? So he's admitting that his creature is dangerous but you just have to accept it. Fucking cunts🤬🤬🤬

OP, if this really happened as you say, and you really were bitten by a out-of-control dog, and the dogs really did try to attack your toddler, then you should report it.
Only you know whether this happened, or whether an overexcited dog just bounced around within 500 metres of your toddler, so only you can make the decision.

The hallmark of a shit dog owner is questioning an OP like this when she describes an incident as it happened. And then minimising it.

Anyway on this board, there are many good dog owners. It is unfair that they are tarred by the same brush.

Another crap dog owner. It’s clearly not a troll post. What a weird accusation.

And here start the inane comparisons to children. Because you have no intelligent defence just about dogs and the ones who have shit owners.

Yes I am but not currently a dog owner. I didn’t realise it was mandatory.
So clearly that’s made little difference.

presumably anything effective will need money chucked at it The advice to swing a lead or length of rope is good, although wouldn’t some dogs just to think it’s a toy ?
would be interesting to know how other countries deal with this issue of pets being out of control.

That's absolutely terrible, KookyMoose. I am so sorry for your injuries. I hope there is some (a lot) of comeback for the appalling owner of the dog that did this.
When I was attacked once by a Rottweiler - no physical injuries luckily - the owner would not even acknowledge my existence - did not speak or make eye contact, just ignored me and the panic attack i was having. The fact you, a person, were ignored because of the dog and the owner's defensiveness is what makes it all even worse. What sort of owner could do that? Hoping you are now recovering well.

Typical defensive DARVO responses from dopey dog owners. And of course the obligatory ‘dog HATE’ accusation if you object to being mauled and assailed. Ugh. 🙄

Yanbu op. Some of these responses absolutely prove your point.

I fear not many. I love dogs and always have BUT I am totally fed up with owners who, when on a walk, seem content to stroll along with their animal in front on a long lead. They do not seem to realise that if the dog rushed into the road or at a group of people they have zero control.

Possibly, the answer may lie in people having to complete a training course before buying a dog. Run, of course, by someone who is a sensible trainer who know that, as well as affection, dogs need discipline in order to be sensible.

Please go to the police and take pics of the bite marks.

Oh do fuck off. Why the hell is wrong with you? Are you going to put down all men, because some attack women, all teenagers, because many commit antisocial behaviour, and all car drivers because some commit hit and runs?

Can you hear yourself?!?

Oh ffs, yes there are. These people clearly are not. HTH
ps you should be phoning the police about this - disgusting behaviour