Dog walking and personal safety.

[MrsDanverclone]

After reading the horrific story in the news, about the woman who was walking in the woods with her children and was raped by a man walking a dog. I realised that I am more wary of men who aren't walking dogs, than those who are, which is very naive of me.

Is it just me or does anyone else feel safer ( wrongly obviously) if the man is a dog walker and you are on a quiet, lonely dog walk?

And are there areas that you'd love to walk, but feel uncomfortable and vulnerable, if you are a lone female walking dogs?

I don't assume all men are rapists if they are out walking by themselves or with dogs, just my own personal view of dog walkers, as in, they are out just to walk the dog, probably makes me more trusting than I should be.

I would say it is very rare for a dog walking bloke to do this, very very rare. Most dogs would bark and draw attention to the situation, something that a potential rapist would not want for a moment.

I am not saying to not be on your guard, and I would always say dont take regular walks on your own in a quiet area, at the same time every day.

I would certainly be more wary of someone not walking a dog than someone who is. A dog is a very identifiable accessory too.

I know what you mean, if you see a man walking a dog you feel he has a 'legitimate' reason for being there, so don't wonder so much if he might have another motive.

Tbh though I just walk where I like, I think having a big dog by my side is a reasonable deterrent to anyone who might want to harm me (though he's a very gentle boy in reality) - one situation where breed prejudice works in my favour.

And the chances of being raped or otherwise attacked by a random stranger are very very low indeed (I believe you're in more danger from partners, ex's, male acquaintances etc than strangers) and it makes me angry to think of women everywhere restricting what they do and where they go because of a few terrible attacks like this. If we do that, then they've won. It's like terrorism against women IMO, and you don't pander to it.

Ephiny I understand exactly where you are coming from with feeling angry, if woman restrict where they walk due to safety fears. But as someone who was actually attacked by a random stranger ( not while dog walking. ) It does influence how I live my life, even though it took place years ago and I was very, very lucky that when he grabbed me I didn't freeze in shock/fear. I was able to fight and scream like mad, and that another woman walking home, came to my rescue and helped fight him off.

It does make me more aware of my safety and I think that's why I was understandably horrified for this poor woman but also wondered if she perhaps hadn't perceived him as danger, because he had a dog with him.

Squeakytoy you are right that a dog is a very identifiable accessary, especially to other dog owners. But could he have deliberately taken the dog, in order to play on the fact that some people, are more trusting of a dog walker than a lone male?

There are places I love walking, my dogs love walking, but if I am on my own I don't, which is a shame and yes it means the evil bastard has won in a way.

Sorry MrsD, I didn't realise you'd had that experience (sounds terrifying) and I can completely understand you being worried about walking alone in that case. We had an aggravated burglary some time ago where I was slightly injured and threatened with worse, and I still feel very anxious about being alone in the house, even though rationally I know it's very unlikely anything would happen again.

I do feel strongly about my 'right' (for want of a better word) to walk the streets and other areas freely and without fear though, and try not to be frightened or intimidated by stories like this.

I either walk my dog alone or with my son, and try to keep safety in mind. Luckily I live in an area close to a field that is very popular for dog walkers, and there are always at least two other dog walkers on there whenever I go on. When it's dark I walk along a well lit busy main road that's in the other direction.

Not seen the news story but sounds awful, poor woman.

I have some funny ideas about walking and safety.

I always feel more comfortable about seeing a man with a dog than a man on his own.

I always worry less about someone leaping out from behind a tree when it's raining - I figure a murderer isn't going to want to hang around in the rain on the offchance someone walks past.

I'm always more comfortable about seeing 2 men (or more) walking together, with or without dogs, because I figure a murderer isn't likely to have many friends and would be more likely to be on his own.

I really, really resent it, that concerns about safety, affect simple pleasures such as walking the dog.
I do walk in quiet areas but as other posters have said, usually encountering other dog walkers at some point. ( I can tell you the names of the dogs, not the owners!)

Ephiny, what a horrible thing to happen, to worry about feeling safe in your own home must be unbearable. I also follow the mindset that it is unlikely to happen again, but also that I got through it once and I could do it again.

It just makes me so cross at times, that it is one of the things I consider.

CalamityKate I also have to confess that I worry less in bad weather. Thinking that the mad, axe wielding murderer, isn't going to be lurking, as only mad dog owners go out, when the weather is foul.

MrsDanverclone - zactly

I love going out in rotten weather too as it also means that the idiots with unruly dogs running wild are usually indoors too..

I then worry that some accident will befall me while out walking in bad weather and when I arrive at the hospital, they will assume I am a homeless person, due to my many layers of clothing ( especially if its cold) and my scruffy dog walking coat, that's fab for keeping the wind and rain at bay!