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The doghouse

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Original poster

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

274 replies

TantrumsAndBalloons · 24/07/2012 17:26

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?

OP posts:
5madthings · 25/07/2012 09:30

if you are wary walk away, or even explain to the owner (as i have done on behalf of my ds2 and ds4 who were terrified of dogs at one point) most owners will understand and keep themselves and their dog out of your way, its called being polite and courteous, the lady who shouted at tantrums was neither.

kitsonkittykat · 25/07/2012 09:33

A staffy can exert 235 pound per square inch. The average dog can exert 150-180 pounds per square inch. They have very wide jaws which can lock. Whilst the rules are not breed specific, a decent owner would not force others to take that risk with their children. People can choose to have a staffy in their house, the general public have no choice.

Sirzy · 25/07/2012 09:35

The general public can choose not to go into an area allocated as being suitable for dogs off leads though

Original poster
TantrumsAndBalloons · 25/07/2012 09:37

kitson a staffy is actually a dog. So if dogs are allowed off lead, it's irrelevant which type of dog he is.
If he is not exercised regularly, it makes me a neglectful owner. Therefore I take him to a designated area.

couthy I completley understand. That's why I am glad there is a lovely play park, picnic area, field, 5 minutes away. My dogs have never been there. Not even on a lead because people may choose to go there to be away from the dogs.

I have seen dogs there when I've taken the DCs and I've seen owners let their dogs jump up at terrified children. All types of dogs. My niece is scared of dogs and I would be fuming if someone let any type of dog jump on her.
But my little puppy was honestly not interested in her child, he wanted the cup. And as I always call him away from people, just in case they don't like him, I was upset at the reaction.

OP posts:
kitsonkittykat · 25/07/2012 09:37

As I said, an average dog is a far different prospect to a staffy with their capabilities. Why should dog owners be able to take up all the lovely green spaces, whilst responsible parents are chased away from using them with their children. Keep the things on a leash, and coexistence would be easy, as it is dog owners seem to think that everyone just has to put up with their choice to own such dangerous dogs.

kitsonkittykat · 25/07/2012 09:38

Tantrums, which is why staffy owners get such short shrift. They force their animals, off the leash onto the public, in a case of like it or lump it, and if your kid gets their face torn off, well its the owners fault, innit.

Original poster
TantrumsAndBalloons · 25/07/2012 09:40

Actually kitson you're wrong.

I would take my dog to the play area on a lead because he will want to run. He will look like he is trying to escape the lead. He may even bark at all the things going on around him. And then people will be scared of him.

How is that better?

OP posts:
Original poster
TantrumsAndBalloons · 25/07/2012 09:40

*would NOT sorry.

OP posts:
Original poster
TantrumsAndBalloons · 25/07/2012 09:42

Yes, that's exactly my attitude. I let him run everywhere, jump all over children, take him to places he is not allowed to be, force him off the lead.

FFS either know what you are talking about or don't comment.

OP posts:
WynkenBlynkenandNod · 25/07/2012 09:42

She did over react and can imagine it was horrible for you. But in an area where dogs are allowed off the lead I make sure mine doesn't get close to other people unless walking on lead . I wouldn't let her go up to the end of a bench to look at something if there were people on the other end, too close in my opinion.

bamboobutton · 25/07/2012 09:42

dogs can NOT lock their jaws. i can't believe people still believe this twaddle

yanbu tantrums. the woman sounds like a hysterical drama queen.

Sirzy · 25/07/2012 09:42

But Kitson that is why areas like the op is describing are great because it's allocated as somewhere dogs can go off lead meaning they can excerice without upsetting people who don't like it.

I wish more areas had dedicated dog walking areas.

Original poster
TantrumsAndBalloons · 25/07/2012 09:43

bamboo there's no point. Everyone still believes the lock jaw BS.

OP posts:
5madthings · 25/07/2012 09:44

kits part of being a responsible dog owner is exercising the dog, teaching it recall etc you cannot do that if you keep it on a lead the whole time, tbh it would be cruel to the dog to keep it permanently on a lead, unless of course tantrums has a massive garden he can be off lead, but the point is she was following the rules, her dog is allowed off lead in that area, she had him close by and he is well trained.

maybe those who dont like dogs should point their ire in the way of those who DONT look after their dogs properly.

and gun/knife control is not the same as this scenario.

a similar scenario would be to say that in america the majority of prison inmates and those who commit gun crime are black (statistically this is true) so why not just lock up all black people or dont allow them to have a gun, oddly enough they cannot and would not do this.

ditto cars, lots of people drive them safely, a minority do not but we dont penalise everyone for the actions of a minority.

ime the worst dogs have actually been west highland white terriors, nasty snappy little things, but when a friend of mine got one as a pet and a responsible pet owner trained it etc i was able to distinguish between the ones that i had previously encountered, who simply had poor owners and my friends one that she trained well and cared for so he wasnt snappy and viscous.

catsrus · 25/07/2012 09:44

I can't imagine how horrible that must have been couthy and to be honest i dont particularly like any of bull terrier breeds - but I have to disagree with you about not being able to help your reaction. You might not be able to stop feeling fear but you can learn to control how you respond to it. People who were caught up in the London bombings, or have been in transport accidents, might have an understandable fear of being on the tube/bus but there are ways of overcoming the fear and allowing yourself to live a normal life.

I've been doing a bit of searching on the stats and there were 1,870 people killed and 24,000+ injured in road traffic accidents in 2011. Since 2006 six children and 2 adults have been killed by dogs. In 2011 6,000 people were treated in hospital due to dog bites or being knocked over by a dog. It is not very statistically likely that many of us will know someone who has been killed or seriously mauled by a dog. It is far more likely that we will know of someone who has been killed or seriously injured in a RTA - but that doesn't justify screaming abuse at drivers, does it? Or teaching children to be terrified about crossing the road?

I have a family member with a phobia, so know how debilitating it can be, but it is the responsibility of the person with the irrational phobia to do something about it.

Lucyellensmum99 · 25/07/2012 09:45

I'm suspicious of people who don't like dogs/animals. I think they have a lack of empathy. I do of course accept that some people have had a bad experience and i forgive them that of course, but to just not like them, it makes me :(

I am usually right too - I know a woman at the school who hates dogs, i was freinds with her for a while, but she turned out to be not a very nice person at all and has caused alot of trouble for others, I have distanced myself. A little voice in the back of my head sort of said "see, you knew she was going to be a wrongun when she said she hated dogs" The irony being that she didn't hate ALL dogs, and actually talked about getting a pug (i honestly think it was to go with her cath kidstone bag)

5madthings · 25/07/2012 09:45

oh and tantrums its nice to be on the same 'side'as you on a thread for a change Wink

5madthings · 25/07/2012 09:46

that should have been visious (sp) not viscous! lol

hairylemon · 25/07/2012 09:46

You did nowt wrong op. The woman is obviously highly strung. If she's that scared of a puppy then she should go to a park where these monsters Hmm aren't allowed off the lead. Her problem not yours or your lovely dogs.

Original poster
TantrumsAndBalloons · 25/07/2012 09:46

wynken thank you. That's what I was thinking to myself, that I let him get too close, even though he wasn't actually close IYSWIM. That's why I called him back straight away, even though he wasn't interested in the people. I was literally right next to him as well but maybe he was too close?

It's made me a bit wary tbh, I walked them both this morning and was constantly on the lookout for anyone more than 5 feet away, or sitting on a bench.

OP posts:
PrettyPrinceofParties · 25/07/2012 09:46

I tend to be wary of staffies, but that's based on where I've lived and the type of people that choose them as pets. Sorry I realise this is a massive generalisation, but I'd be cautious of any 'hard' dog being walked by a yoof.

I think unfortunately, staffies are victims of their own popularity. Too many back yard breeders breeding for profit and don't care about breeding quality dogs with the temperament described in the breed standard, nor do they care who they sell to.

I'm a bit on the fence about his to be honest. Sounds like your dogs are well cared for and well exercised (I believe a lot of aggression issues stem from inadequate exercise and stimulation). The woman sounds panicked. It was horrible for you, but people not used to dogs can't read their body language in the way dog owners can. I have to put my oldest dog on a lead when I see children or people sat on grass as I know she'll want to greet them and I don't want her to be a nuisance even tho I know she's gentle.

I think the lady over-reacted and could have spoke to you civilly. She may have been terrified, but shouting in your face? she may jut have been looking for a ruck!

kitsonkittykat · 25/07/2012 09:47

Just how was this woman meant to know that your dog wanted the cup, that you believe your dog to be safe, and that her child was not in danger. From just looking a staffy which is dangerous looks just the same as one with a so called decent owner, and is supposedly no danger.

I guess it says it all that some people will slag off this poor woman, and defend their right to force their animals off the leash onto all and sundry.

5madthings · 25/07/2012 09:47

i have typed viscious several times and no one way looks the right spelling, is hould have gone to bed earlier my brain is not liking the heat!

Original poster
TantrumsAndBalloons · 25/07/2012 09:49

5 yes, nice to be on the same side Grin

I think we have a lot in common really

OP posts:
kitsonkittykat · 25/07/2012 09:49

I had no idea the lock jaw thing was a myth.

So, in the absence of measurable evidence, where did the locking-jaw rumor originate? One theory suggests that it came from a specific behavior encouraged by humans. Bulldogs and American Staffordshire Terriers were often bred to compete in the now-banned blood sport of ?bull baiting.? It was considered a prized skill for a dog to possess the tenacity and stubbornness to bite down and hold on to the opponent?s face and head at all costs.

That sounds like a lovely pet, one that has been bred to hold onto the face and head at all costs, and of course noone has any cause to be concerned with one off the leash..Hmm