Dog owners very irresponsible letting them of leafs on walks knowing they too can spread covid19?

[mumieone]

Today on my permitted walk in semi rural area two men having a day on the beach just let thier dog run wild with no consideration for social distancing.

With reports on dogs, cats and the latest tiger having symptoms and testing positive for covid19 should dig owners be allowed to let thier dogs just jump on passers by?

I saw the dog coming and moved about 4 metres away from the men. One just lit up a fab and did nothing and the other watched.

When I moved the dig chased me as I ran to try to climb up a hill. I threw stones near it to try to deter but didn't work and owner eventually took him and said he was being friendly. More like dangerous. I said look we are all trying to social distance and who knows if your dog has covid19 and some of us are trying to keep ourselves and others safe and social distance!

Shouldnt dog owners be more careful?

If the owner is not concerned about human beings safety do you honestly think I'm concerned about contracting something from a pet I did not elect to be mine.
@mumieone

Perhaps the owners had engaged their brains read the science and realised there was no risk?

If you've unilaterally decided that dogs spread coronavirus in the face of zero evidence then that's your lookout, but your irrational and ignorant opinions do not give you the right to act like an unbridled arsehole

This thread is brilliant (and absolutely goady).

You've got to love Mumsnet sometimes.

There's threads where people defend humans mixing with other humans at BBQs and going to the shops so they can have their beer and chocolate when it's known that humans can spread Covid to other humans, and then threads like this fanning flames of panic because dogs are spreading Coronavirus.

Nowhere to sit down, eat a sandwich or throw a ball without a dog approaching you

None of which you’re supposed to be doing anyway.

I see your unbridled arsehole and raise you a goady gobshite.

I managed to come back unscathed.

I did meet this gaggle but no one was willing to cast their stones

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Was the OP there? I’m unsure. Unless of course the lycra was hidden by flowing robes and a nest of facial hair.

None of which you’re supposed to be doing anyway.

I was meaning generally. Even before this crisis, some parks were no go areas because of dogs off lead

Don't get dogs that need lots of exercise 🙄🙄🙄🙄

@Flaxmeadow Have you ever tried reporting them for being off lead in the parks where you want to have your sandwiches and throw your balls?

Don't get dogs that need lots of exercise

What, in case there happens to be a global pandemic?

Excellent advice @littlemeitslyn - if only I'd foreseen this global pandemic back 2008 I'd never have bothered!

@twinkle2306 I've heard that hand washing is quite effective. You know, for those dogs covered all over with COVID19 who come up and rub themselves over unsuspecting passers by.

You're right, it is a massive risk.

Dogs should be on leads all the time right now. Not worth the risk. No dog needs lead free time. Huskys have terrible recall so most dont ever let them off and manage to exercise adequately despite needing more stimulation and exercise than most dogs.

@Eckhart funnily enough I don't carry a sink around with me? I have a dog. I keep her on a lead to stop other people touching her or vice versa. Unless you're happy to wash your dog after every walk?

No dog needs lead free time And no child needs a park with swings and roundabouts and slides. So we'll get rid of all those, shall we?

No dog needs lead free time

Actually @Glaceon off lead exercise is associated with reduced levels of stress, frustration, obesity and behavioural problems so yes dogs DO need off lead exercise, in the same way that humans need exercise - for physical and mental health.

Have you seen the number of huskies in shelters after becoming destructive and chronically frustrated due to lack of exercise?

No thought not.

I always find it interesting on MN how many people spout utter bollocks and assume their opinion is fact - it's remarkable the faith that folk have in their own ignorance

@twinkle2306 My dog doesn't go about touching people so I doubt she's carrying any infection. Most dogs don't go about touching people. They shouldn't anyway, even under normal circumstances. That was my point. If you stroke a dog, you wash your hands. Now, and always.

Most people wouldn't argue against that simple rule with 'I don't carry a sink'

@Veterinari for a period of a couple of months dogs would and could cope on leads. This has been pushed by the RSPCA and Dogs trust etc. Dogs can also have mental and physical situation through mind games, scent games, garden play etc

@Eckhart you cannot ever guarantee your dog won't run off. What if they get spooked, catch a scent, attacked even. If someone then catches them even if you do wash your hands your dog still has it on their coat. They bring that into your home etc. Furthermore you'd have to break social distancing etc. Pretty weak argument of my dog doesn't do that. It only takes once

No dog needs lead free time

😂😂😂 Are you going to break that news to dogs who definitely need exercise off lead? Why shouldn’t a dog with excellent recall be allowed to burn off energy in an empty, enclosed field or mountain track??

you cannot ever guarantee your dog won't run off. What if they get spooked, catch a scent, attacked even. If someone then catches them even if you do wash your hands your dog still has it on their coat.
They bring that into your home etc. Furthermore you'd have to break social distancing etc. Pretty weak argument of my dog doesn't do that. It only takes once
Given nobody can guarantee their child won't run off, touch benches/lampposts/other surfaces, and nobody can guarantee they're not going to walk through air with Covid droplets in it (which can get on coats and into houses), it's a fairly daft argument.

Everyone needs to be responsible. Dogs should be under appropriate control. Covid has nothing to do with it and it's wrong to be invoking it where it's irrelevant.

Yes, you're right, @twinkle2306. But currently in the uk we're minimising risk, not obliterating it. If someone has a dog that's likely to run off, they should keep it on a lead. Otherwise you'll be suggesting that spouses shouldn't be allowed out unattended. They carry COVID19 much more efficiently than dogs, and often stray.

What d'you think about cats? They're roaming about, in houses then brushing up against people, just like all these billions of dog-vectors. Should they be walked only on leads?

Why shouldn’t a dog with excellent recall be allowed to burn off energy in an empty, enclosed field or mountain track??
Because the existence of an off lead dog exponentially increases the likelihood of people dying of Coronavirus, but nipping to shops for beer, chocolate, magazines, treats, or having BBQs with guests, or just popping to see family doesn't. Keep up.

@Eckhart actually there was a lady from the RSPCA who said cats, especially if you suspect you have symptoms of the virus should be kept indoors for this exact reason.