Dogs !!!

[Mia47]

I was out running tonight in the forest when from about 10 metres I saw a man with his dog off the lead. He went to hold the dig as I went past and he said there’s 3 more coming don’t worry they’re lovely! Anyway, one of them comes up to me and I’m telling him to get his dog away from me. I turn my back and the dig jumps on me then starts circling g me. It eventually goes away but I’m still shaken up by this.

completely ruined my evening run and now I’m scared I’ll run into them again as I e seen his van parked nearby before.

I’ve had several encounters like this while running. It makes me furious that people can’t be bothered to train their animals so that they don’t harass people. And when you protest, the owners either get shirty or look blank.

I’ve just bought a small can of the K917 dog repellent that the police use (available on Amazon and the policesupplies.co.uk). It’s small enough to run with. Next time someone’s uncontrolled hound bothers me, I won’t waste time appealing to the owner, the dog is getting a faceful!

As a dog owner, i apologise - its really crap i think when ppl let their animals harass others, and can get dangerous especially when you add horse riders into the mix! Not everyone likes dogs and they shouldnt have them sprung on them.

As a dog owner, runners, cyclists and horse riders bug me as they want you to get your dog but wont slow or stop what they are doing to give you time to do it.

We were walking our dog and encountered a runner with an off lead dog who was out of control, not aggressive, but hassling my on lead dog. It almost got run over by cyclists, and the owner was way ahead, oblivious to everything! I hate irresponsible dog owners, they really can ruin an activity, be it as a jogger or as dog walker.

Thanks @BarleySugars that is appreciated. There are plenty of decent dog owners who take their responsibility seriously. Unfortunately there are far too many who don’t.

@21ZIGGY Runners are people. Dogs are animals. Runners shouldn’t have to defer to dogs.

@Snowjive2 you clearly didnt read what i wrote. I, a person, need time to call my dog back to get out of the way. Runners do not allow you that time

@21ZIGGY You have missed the point. The dog is off lead, presumably, because it prefers that to being on lead. Runners and cyclists should not be expected to stop in order to cater for a dog’s preference.

@21ZIGGY maybe keep it on a lead and under control then?!

Most of the time, in my experience, the dog owners are courteous and responsible, either keeping them close or moving to the side when I'm passing.
I acknowledge this and thank them of course.

The only time I have encountered a yappy dog and potentially precious owner, was when I was running along a footpath and the owner shouted either at me or the child of around 11/12 she was with "Watch out! He hates joggers!" I'd give her the benefit of the doubt, but to me, that seemed half arsed.