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Original poster

Reported park to the police for dogs running up to us constantly

55 replies

Childcarehelp · 13/04/2020 18:48

AIBU to have reported to the police that dogs are not being kept on leads and/or controlled by their owners and they are constantly running up to me and my children when we are going for our daily exercise? This is a large park and yet the owners are still completely unable to keep their dogs away from us. Today a dog ran up to my son and grabbed a ball which DS trying to picking up from the floor before the dog got it, covering DS hand in saliva. The dog then refused to drop the ball despite its owner telling it to, resulting in the owner having to chase after the dog and grab the ball out of its mouth. Owner then walked right up to my son to return the ball instead of throwing it from a distance Angry And moreover was annoyed when I said he’s supposed to maintain 2m distance from us. Some people!

Policewoman at 101 actually blamed us for not moving away from owner when he came up to DS!! And was asking me if it was a dangerous dog Hmm Why do people (including the police apparently) view dogs/dog owners with impunity?

Despite much resistance, the policewoman did eventually say they would pass the message onto the local team and park wardens would monitor compliance with social distancing. Still can’t believe her approach in trying every way possible to excuse the behaviour despite it being in clear breach of the guidelines.

OP posts:
bodgeitandscarper · 13/04/2020 18:57

I think the police have enough on their plates to be honest.

ilovedjerrymore · 13/04/2020 18:58

The dog owner was in the wrong and should not have his dog off lead if it’s going to grab a child's ball. He should have also kept his distance.

But there is no new rule that I heave read that says dogs have to be kept on leads at all times during the lockdown.

maddy68 · 13/04/2020 18:59

Dear god. I'm sure your child is bring a massive pain to someone too. Can't we all just smile at people and come together at such a challenging time for everyone

Aloe6 · 13/04/2020 19:00

Despite much resistance, the policewoman did eventually say they would pass the message onto the local team and park wardens would monitor compliance with social distancing

Yeah, I wouldn’t hold your breath on that one.

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 13/04/2020 19:01

Yabu

FTMF30 · 13/04/2020 19:04

Yabu.

eatanazurecrayon · 13/04/2020 19:10

You're being nuts. Dog owners are having to walk their dogs in overcrowded parks because we're not supposed to drive and everyone and their neighbour are in the park. Dogs are getting way less exercise too so their behaviour is a bit erratic dispute being well trained. It's hard on all of us. I'd rather not walk my 1 year old well behaved whippet in a crowded park as I know he can be a bit much - not violent but full of energy - but the usual fields / beaches / hills etc are out of bounds for us so here we all are. In addition to the stress of all this and trying to walk the dog even though we're meant to be shielding but have no choice. If I'd encountered you on my already stressful walk it probably would have broken me. Be less mean. Consider other people's situations before you judge. It's a ball and a bit of dog slobber. If I get infected trying to walk my dog through the crowds I could come home and infect 3 vulnerable people who would probably die. Get a grip.

Original poster
Childcarehelp · 13/04/2020 19:11

Our local authority, as many others, have said dogs must be kept on leads at parks.

Our kids are home with us all day and they know they cannot go near other people and so they are not. Of course it is unthinkable that the dog owner could be in the wrong and that we have done nothing wrong here Hmm

OP posts:
RaininSummer · 13/04/2020 19:12

Unfortunately our local parks have just brought in an on lead rule. I imagine for this reason.

Thescrewinthetuna · 13/04/2020 19:13

YANBU, if a dog is badly behaved it needs to be on a lead.

Original poster
Childcarehelp · 13/04/2020 19:13

The park was not remotely overcrowded. It is a huge park and there were not many people there.

OP posts:
FirTree31 · 13/04/2020 19:13

YABU. I genuinely worry about humanity, by way of how we relate to each other, being severely damaged through all of this.

MRex · 13/04/2020 19:14

Similarly I had to pick DS up and order a dog to sit down (it did eventually when it was right by my feet) while its owner did nothing from a hundred yards away when it was clearly running straight for us. Some parks do ask owners to keep dogs on leads at the moment, including the one I was in, but apparently some owners are "special" and those rules don't apply to them. If people with dogs are annoying you then you'd be better off complaining to the park directly. Personally I was more annoyed by the jogger who ran at us in the road where we just couldn't avoid him, which is more similar to your man coming over. Unfortunately all we can do is stop going for walks, but it's understandable that you're annoyed, whatever previous posters say.

FascinatingCarrot · 13/04/2020 19:16

Why didnt you just ring the council/park warrden direct instead of the police?
You have wasted their time on a non essential call at a massive difficult time for everyone and to top that off you are expecting them to follow it up.

Glitterb · 13/04/2020 19:17

If this is the only thing you have to complain about then you are lucky.

Stop wasting the polices time and get a grip!

Original poster
Childcarehelp · 13/04/2020 19:17

We are constantly getting dogs bounding over to us from a distance. It’s annoying normally but right now it is unacceptable. If they can’t control the dog, why aren’t the owners using those retractable leads where the dog can have a bit of a run but the owner can maintain control if it starts getting too close to others?

OP posts:
Original poster
Childcarehelp · 13/04/2020 19:18

Good idea about reporting directly to the park

OP posts:
FTMF30 · 13/04/2020 19:19

Why ask if YABU if you don't like the responses? Seems like youve already concluded you were not BU.

eatanazurecrayon · 13/04/2020 19:19

Kids in parks too close annoy me. Parents don't keep them on leads. Sweaty joggers run past constantly. They're not on leads. Poorly behaved dogs should be kept on leads fair enough. But every dog? Lucky if your parks not overcrowded. Ours is. Christ have some empathy. We're all putting up with stuff we shouldn't have to. You're not special and neither is anyone else but right now, this is the battle you're fighting? Lucky that's all you've got on your plate. A bit of dog slobber.

Original poster
Childcarehelp · 13/04/2020 19:19

I called 101 not 999. A key job of police at the moment is to monitor compliance with lockdown measures, it’s not at all a waste of their time

OP posts:
BakedCam · 13/04/2020 19:21

Cutting through the dramatics of the police, you're not BU.

My dog is a complete ball thief, known for it, always on the leas as our local field has a childrens play area on it, so he always on a leash way before approaching this area. I also dont allow him on the park area where the apparatus is, as he would just piddle up the bars. My dog loves kids, but he resource guards and any child with a ball who attempted to retrieve???? I would not take the risk. Child's safety always comes first.

We shouldn't expect poor dog owners to suddenly become good dog owners in the current situation.

Original poster
Childcarehelp · 13/04/2020 19:21

Actually it’s the down owners who seem to think they’re special. We’ve not had issues with anyone else - joggers or children. But with the dogs it’s every single time we go to the park

OP posts:
Original poster
Childcarehelp · 13/04/2020 19:21

*dog owners

OP posts:
SilentTights · 13/04/2020 19:21

Dogs should always be under control. That's verbal control if training allows, or leads if not.

Veterinari · 13/04/2020 19:22

Guidelines aren't laws and so the police can't enforce them - that's why she asked you the questions she did.

You're asking the police to take legal action in a non-legal situation and that's why they aren't enthusiastic about responding