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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:
NervousInYorkshire · 13/04/2020 19:23

I was on the phone to a friend today while he was walking his dog in the park.

At one point he didn't know where his dog was; at another he had to go over to get him back when he 'ran up to (random) people to say hello'.

I've been knocked over and ended up with infected scratches by his dog being 'friendly' and jumping up 'to say hello' at me before, and won't be around it if it's off lead.

I think he's being horrifically selfish - he has always just laughed when I've pointed out his dog really needs to be properly controlled in public - if he can't/won't stop it jumping at people in public, he shouldn't have got a dog in a flat with no garden.

I hate seeing some how dog owners don't give a toss about their dogs impact on other people.

Original poster
Childcarehelp · 13/04/2020 19:23

Thanks BakedCam, your consideration is appreciated

OP posts:
FlaskMaster · 13/04/2020 19:25

You're not supposed to be going to the park.

SecondRatePony · 13/04/2020 19:28

You're not supposed to be going to the park

Eh? Loads of parks are still open and still very much in use.

MonaLisaDoesntSmile · 13/04/2020 19:28

@eatanazurecrayon as a dog owner in the past, you need to keep your dog on lead. If your dog views someone, it's the shittiest time for them, but of course no inconvenience to you. It's tough for everyone, adults, kids and yes, let's who need exercise, but no excuse to let a dog roam around when you are likely to see many more people around and/or you can't control your dog.
OP, you're not being unreasonable.

Sonichu · 13/04/2020 19:29

I wish I had so little going on in my life this is the kind of thing I'd get worked up over.

SecondRatePony · 13/04/2020 19:29

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-52181808

RTP9 · 13/04/2020 19:31

It would be preferable for owners to keep dogs on leads currently but having said that when we walk ours (on a lead) 95% of those not on leads are fine. We have only had one run up to us and not go back to its owner in call. That was a bit of a pain but other than that it’s been fine. I agree with your thoughts though OP.

mrsmummy111 · 13/04/2020 19:32

Oh get a life

Wearywithteens · 13/04/2020 19:34

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn at the poster's request.

BigChocFrenzy · 13/04/2020 19:34

STOP: Dogs jumping up at you, owners coming within 2m to haul them away

MYOB: Someone sunbathing 2 m away from you or anyone else

SinglePringle · 13/04/2020 19:40

@FlaskMaster can you elaborate?

Rystall · 13/04/2020 19:43

YANBU. Some dog owners behave incredibly ignorantly. Dogs should not be off leashes. Pull out your phone and start recording the next time. It’s amazing how compliant they become.

CallmeAngelina · 13/04/2020 19:44

Lockdown measures?
I've not heard anything about it being compulsory for dogs to be on leads due to Covid-19.

KeithLeMonde · 13/04/2020 19:51

For those who missed the guidance on keeping your dog on the lead, it's here: www.gov.uk/government/news/coronavirus-guidance-on-access-to-green-spaces

”if walking your dog in areas used by other people, you should walk your dog on a lead to ensure you can safely keep 2 metres away from others"

Barbadosgirl · 13/04/2020 19:52

YANBU. Dogs shouldn't be running up to children and slobbering all over their toys. If there is less space to walk them in and they don't have perfect recall they should be on leads. I have had my fair share of entitled dog owners telling me their dog is just being friendly as it barks and jumps up at me. Yuck.

MilkTrayLimeBarrel · 13/04/2020 19:53

Yawn .......

CatherineOfAragonsPomegranate · 13/04/2020 19:58

Yanbu but dogs are a touchy subject, seen as the equivalent of children so expect to be told YABU.

Sonichu · 13/04/2020 20:02

"ANBU. But unfortunately you are going to get loads of the ‘it’s just a ball and a bit of dog slobber’ like it’s nothing and you should expect to take your child out to a park and have an animal take their toy and have their hands covered in disgusting animal saliva. And then just to add insult to injury they tell you that you’re the mean one for reacting badly to it."

But it IS just a ball and it IS just a bit of animal drool. Unpleasant yes but hardly the end of the world and I doubt it'll be the worst thing that children are ever exposed to especially at the moment!

Deelish75 · 13/04/2020 20:06

I probably wouldn't have contacted the police but I don't think you are being unreasonable.

There are two things going on here;
Dogs shouldn't be running up to random people they don't know and making any type of contact with them. It doesn't matter whether we're in normal times or CV lockdown times - if you can't control your dog keep it on a lead.
The owner should have stayed two metres away from you. There are a lot of people out there who think "I haven't got CV so I can go within two metres of people" but how do they know they haven't got it (I heard/read a report that as many as 50% of us may have had it whilst showing NO symptoms - we won't know until we've all had the antibodies test) and more importantly how do they know that the people they are approaching haven't got it.

We had a similar situation last week in which the owner told me wouldn't hurt my DD(5) dog just wanted to play with her. I told him I didn't want his dog anywhere near her again and tbf he did keep the dog away after that.

Barbararara · 13/04/2020 20:09

I have always carried a stick with me when visiting our local park with children because of problems with off lead dogs and their idiot owners Dogs understand sticks instinctively. The owners are a bit slower. But I’ve never had to actually use one. I have found that shouting “call your dog” while holding a stick gets a more effective response than without one.

Willow2017 · 13/04/2020 20:13

You're not supposed to be going to the park.

Are you just making it up as you go along?

Op you are right. Uncontrolled dogs should be on a lead at any time, especially now. If their owners cannot train them not to be a damm nusciance then they should be on a lead. And I say that as a previous dog owner and dog lover.
No excuses, uncontrolled dogs can hurt people, scare people and who wants muddy paws all over their clothes or a childs toy covered in dog slobber? Its nobodys right to ensure a child cant play with thier own toys when out for exercise because their dog is more important.

Dogs arent a special case in lockdown to enable them to roam around bothering others. Extending lead or short lead, the dog will not die from not being able to pester people going about thier business.

OP ask this to be moved to the dog house you will get more balanced replies than the usual sarcasm meeted out elsewhere. Some people think that everyday stuff isnt important any more and we should all be rending our garments in angst all the time about one thing and one thing only.

decisionsdecision · 13/04/2020 20:15

Don't throw balls around off lead dogs. Even when my dog is on a lead the amount of times people will kick and throw a ball near her is ridiculous do it away from my dog don't make a point of doing it near them!

decisionsdecision · 13/04/2020 20:16

But dogs should be on leads at this period of time and should not be running up to you but don't encourage them with balls and sticks etc

lotsofdogshere · 13/04/2020 20:22

Our park is busy with children and their parents, of course there are many dogs we've never met before, probably because they're home while their owners are working.

So- our two well behaved dogs are having less off lead time than usual. I don't want them off lead in busy areas. WE've had a few episodes when off lead dogs have run up to ours, owners zero recall ability. A friend was knocked over by an off lead German shepherd. The worst of it was the owner eventually had to come and drag the dog off her- no 2 metre safe space there.
I love dogs. Dogs should come back when their owner calls them. If you don't have that control, keep it on a lead. Especially at this time.