I've just been screamed at by a woman in the park.

[TantrumsAndBalloons]

I have 2 staffys, one is a pup 18 weeks.

I was walking the puppy in the park, it's a massive park, lots of dogs running about off lead, no problems.

The pup was walking next to me, we passed a woman with a toddler in a pushchair on a bench. Milo went to one end of the bench to chase a plastic cup.
The woman screamed "getting your fucking dog away from my child"
I called him, he came over.

The woman then came about 2 inches from my face screaming I was an irresponsible person, I shouldn't let my dog off the lead, he was out of control, she was going to report me.

I don't know what I did wrong tbh, Milo was nowhere near the toddler but she kept saying that he was licking her child's feet, but he was nowhere near her feet and he came back as soon as I called him, he was in no way out of control.

I understand people do not like dogs but isn't this a big of an overreaction?

And if the "dangerous looking dog" comes back the instant he is called, you can assume he is well trained.

Thanks plump

Tantrum, do you know also happen across owners of small dogs who will shriek "get your dog, get your dog" whilst their out of control JRT charges snarling at your calm, obedient Staff on a lead?
It used to happen to us a lot on days like this - always the first few hot days after a spell of crappy weather and the first time in ages their poor wee psycho-dogs had been let of the sofa in weeks.
Not quite the same thing as this woman, obv, but not far off...

• not also happen...

Even seeing a dog approach can be terrifying for someone who has had a bad experience, doesn't really excuse her behaviour but you have no more idea what her history with dogs is than she does that your you particular dog is a big bundle of fluffywuffyness that wouldn't hurt a fly (aren't they all? ).

Yes plump and they are always on retractable leads which wrap themselves round big dog, who just stands there looking amazed as the JRT snaps at him and the owner shrieks "get away, get away"

I'd love to get away but your dog has just entangled mine in that stupid lead.

I would like to ask a question to all who think dogs should not be off a lead.

How do I exercise my Springer Spaniel?

He needs to run free and burn off a LOT of energy.

FWIW I don't let him run up to people. I am always extra careful around small children too, not because he is nasty but he bounds around and I would be mortified if he knocked over a small child.

Dogs need exercise too.

Maybe avoid the public places where dogs are permitted off the lead if you feel that strongly about it?

Op - I don't think YABU. Violence is not acceptable. If a dog were not involved I'm sure everyone would be on your side

Exactly dum I have no idea who has ever been bitten so I keep the dogs back unless someone wants to play.

I am very wary of staffies and try to give them a wide berth.

But this woman over reacted in a big way.

Exactly, Tantrums!

super exactly that.

Had my dog not been involved and the woman screamed at me for letting my child near her child everyone would be outraged.

Oh in that case if it is all clearly signed that dogs will be off leads then I take back my earlier post in this situation!

if you have an issue with dogs or dogs not on leads then pick a different park!

Thanks sirzy

I never let them off lead in a public place where it is not allowed but they do need to exercise, they would drive me insane otherwise

You did nothing wrong. Sounds like she was the one out of control, not the dog!

I agree dogs shouldn't be allowed to run up to random people, sniff or lick them, chase/jump on children etc, of course they shouldn't. But it doesn't sound like that's what happened in this case. It was a little puppy that had not even shown any interest in her or the child!

Some people are just aggressive and nasty, I think.

I don't think your dog did anything wrong. However I would keep my dog on a lead if there are loads of folk about in a park, my dog gets walked in the woods. I did have a bad experience where I was on a playing field with my then small children and 2 large dalmatians bounded up to us and knocked over my DD then 2 and jumped up on me and covered us both in mud. I did a bit of swearing at that owner and he said that I shouldn't play with my kids where people walk their dogs!! It was a football pitch!

You didn't know what to say? 'Sorry' would have been a good start. The woman was obviously terrified. That was down to you. If I scared someone that much, even unintentionally, I'd feel really bad.

You should keep your dogs on the lead in a park unless it's a specific dog walking area.

So, it's shook you. You thought it was horrible. How do you think people who don't like dogs feel when your dog runs up to them? you dog was not under control since it ran away from you. You got it back under control, yes - but when it left your side it ws not under control. It terrified that woman. You caused that. She didn't. And you want sympathy?

metabilis3 did you not read it was an area where they were allowed off lead, signposted as such

tantrums forget about it and ignore, she should find somewhere else to sit. same happened to us the other week a bloke on a bike cycled across the dog walking area with no bell full tilt and nearly knocked over pimmsdog who I had called when I saw the bike and was returning to me. He threatened to punch DH but eventually when I screamed at him that he needed a bell (as thats the law) he calmed down and apologised for being so rude.

Wrong Metabills3. Sorry for what? The park has a sign saying dogs under control can be exercised off lead. This dog was under control. It did not touch the child.

If you are that scared of dogs then you're best off going to a park where they are asked to be kept on a lead - there are plenty of them.

I'm nervous around dogs. It's how I was brought up. Don't go near that dog it will bite you. So that's not going to change. But no need for the woman to yell abuse. She probably got a fright. Were there signs to say dogs should be on a leash? There usually is in parks.

He did not run away.
He walked a foot away to a cup under a bench for 2 seconds. In a dog walking area, clearly signposted.

And funnily enough, when someone screams and swears in my face, my first reaction was not to apologise.

Maybe she should have apologized for scaring me by swearing and threatening me? Or does that not matter because I have a dog?

vivien this is the only area for miles where dogs are allowed to be off leash which is why I take him there, not my local park which requires dogs to be leashed.

If your dog runs away from you it's not under control, is it. Unless you are throwing something for it to fetch. If your dog approaches someone don't be surprised if they get upset. Lots of people can't stand dogs. Lots of dog owners seem either oblivious or unconcerned about this fact.

It's not actually a park as such, it's 3 open, connecting fields, a golf course and a wood. It's not a play area. Over the other side is a football pitch, he doesn't go off leash there as its not allowed.

He didn't run away. I said that already. He walked approx 1foot to the end of a bench. No running, no away.

Sorry to disappoint you.