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 my ds2 is petrified of JRTs so I guess any dog could scare someone.

It sounds to me as though the woman was aggressive and disliked dogs rather than being scared

That's what I thought. Someone frightened would be wanting to get away from the threat, not be confrontational and screaming in your face.

If she thought it was a dangerous dog it would be a tad silly to be aggressive towards it's owner really.

Oh, and she shouldn't have sat in the offlead bit of the park if that's how she felt.

Exactly, everyone shouting about how dangerous my dog is, he sat next to me whilst that woman was screaming at me, didn't try to attack her. Maybe she didn't look enough like a bull?

But I really really don't understand why people insist on keeping breeds that scare people

Some people are scared of teeny handbag dogs Seeker. I've been around dogs all my life, and have spent the last few years volunteering at a local shelter. I've been bitten 4 times - each time by bloody Chiuauas (sp? not a clue!)

I love Rotties, SBTs, Cockers, Springers etc - most dogs in fact. But until a few years ago was scared of Jack Russells having been bitten continuously by a horrible one when I was a kid.

Plus these things go in cycles. There is a good quote, that I will probably get wrong here, something like:

"In the 70's people blamed the Alsatians, in the 80's people blamed the Rottweillers, in the 90's the Pit Bull and now it's the turn of the SBT"

I'm no psychic, but I forsee that in the 10's (is that how we will say it?) it will be the Huskey or Malamute as they seem to be the dog that people are now taking on without any idea of what the breed needs. They will be untrained, unloved and dumped and eventually someone will get bitten.

Dog owners, dog lovers, cannot plan for every eventuality, and shouldn't be chastised for things out of their control.

"some people have a very good reason to hate dogs"

I'm sure some do but a dog once licking your son is hardly one of them!

I feel very sad for some kids when I see their neurotic parents going psycho for no reason. Screaming and swearing is only going to scare the child and what a great example to set!

It's interesting that some people think there are circumstances in which it's ok to shout, scream and swear at a stranger. There aren't. It's unacceptable. The dog thing is a side issue.

Parents like that woman are doing their children a great injustice though.

Ds2 went through a long phase of being terrified of dogs (due 100% to two incidents with loose dogs cornering him so I do agree completely with the 'dogs should be kept under control' crew) but with much perseverance and gentle coaxing he's gone from this time last year being so scared at the mere thought of a dog being nearby that he'd shake and cry, to last week having a tantrum because I didn't let him out of the car at dd's best friends house to rub their rottie and st bernard! He's only 3, and a small 3 at that, and has no fear of standing there being nuzzled by 2 dogs who are each at least 5 times his size

It's lovely seeing him so happy around them and it's changed his life as he's not constantly terrified of dogs lurking around every corner now. He was so bad at one point that seeing a dog on a lead across the road would have him quivering in my arms screaming in fear. It made simple things difficult, he couldn't play outside our house in case the neighbours dogs came, he didn't enjoy walks in parks, he was afraid at most peoples' houses even if the dogs were locked in another area of the house so he often refused to stay, etc.

I'm not a huge fan of small dogs, they make me quite uncomfortable (was bitten when little) but I was always taught never to show any fear, to stand my ground, move slowly and calmly, let them sniff me before touching them and intimidate them if they were being aggressive. I teach my children the same tactics and am confidant that they're as safe around dogs as I can ensure (considering the are we live in is a rural community with hundreds of free roaming dogs).

I've very little patience for people who instil phobias in their children, and even less for someone like that woman who obviously chooses to go to that park to pick a fight.... why else would you go to a lead free park and have an apoplectic fit about a dog being off the lead?!

Perhaps she was just having a crap day and saw a vaguely 'pit bull looking' dog near her and totally over reacted. She obviously doesn't know dogs otherwise she wouldn't have shouted if she really was scared. Lots of people can't differentiate between several terrier breeds.

And that's another thing. Dog people always expect non dog people to know about dogs! Yes, of course if you know about dogs and you're
scared you keep still and quiet. And of course those of is who know about dogs try to teach our children to do the same. But it's not easy- and it's not the non dog owner's fault if they can't/don't react correctly . It really isn't.

It's not even vaguely a pit bull.

Not in any way, shape or form.

He is a staffy. He doesn't look like a pit. And tbh I doubt many people know what type of dog a pit bull is.

Sorry, I know you wasn't being nasty but I hate when people assume either dog is a pit bull. They are microchipped, I have papers, they are not pit bulls. I wouldn't regime a pitbull because it is ilegal not because I'm afraid of the breed.

But they aren't pitbulls. And my ds1 has been stopped by the police more than once because of this. It's disgusting. They don't stop me but assume my 13 yo ds1 is a hoodie with a dangerous dog.

I'll shut up now.

I don't expect people to know about dogs.

I do however expect every person to know about respect, common sense, dignity and how verbally assaulting someone for having a dog in a dog park is not the right thing to do.

I'm not saying it is Seeker. But this was a puppy and it was called away. The woman shouted after the puppy was called away. It was over the top. And the woman obviously knew that she had nothing to fear otherwise she would have bundled her dc away as fast as possible.

I agree. Sorry- that wasn't directed at you - it was directed at whoever Sid that if your bonkers lady had been really scared she wouldn't have shouted

are you sure the dog didn't approach or lick her child,it would only take seconds. after all if dog was at other end of bench did you see everything. maybe not

i expect now all the doggy apologists will now regale with how their staffy would never hurt a fly

well you know what it's not a commonly shared view,and some dogs do instill a fear

responsible owners should keep their dogs on leads

I was bloody scared of her, let alone her scared of my dog :(

She was at the other end of the bench. He was about 2 feet away and I could see him. He went straight to the cup. He didn't even look at the people.

And I agree dogs should be on leads in places like parks, streets etc, this is an area that is for dogs to be off the lead. It's really clearly signposted which is why I take him there. Dogs have to be off lead sometimes, as long as they are in a place where everyone is aware of this, I don't see what the problem is.

They have to be exercised. They really do. That's why there is a local dog place, and a huge park/play area 5 minutes away which is also clearly signed NO DOGS ALLOWED OFF LEASH.

Responsible owners keep their dogs on leads on the roads and in areas where dogs are not allowed off-lead.

Responsible owners also make sure their dogs get age/breed-appropriate off-lead exercise in the areas where it is allowed, while ensuring the dog doesn't cause a danger or nuisance to anyone and comes back when called. Oh, just like the OP then :)

Responsible parents IMO don't go around screaming and swearing aggressively at passers-by in front of their small child.

The woman is lucky she chose someone as patient and understanding as Tantrums to pick on. Many more people would have chinned the silly cow when she got close enough.

The breed of dog aside it is never acceptable to deliberatly imitidate another human being. I am still surprised that so many posters are trying to justify this loon's behaviour.

And as for the lead issue if you require dogs to be on leads to feel safe then dont hang out in designated off lead areas. It's not rocket science.

d0oin I was just in shock I think.

I have actually never been screamed at like that by a stranger in the park before.

I have to confess, all the way home I kept thinking of what I should have said to her

so chinning someone is appropriate reaction
aye that's the way
gald you see it so clearly

Completely agree with D0oin Ephiny and other sensible posters...

Also, though, the really weird thing about this woman, if she really thought your dog was a threat, was that she had a go at you like this. Surely if she thought the dog was potentially aggressive, reason would have told her not to ignite the situation by shrieking at you like that. Wadda caah, really...

I never said it was appropriate. I said it is a response she would have gotten if she picked on someone less patient than Tantrums is.

Scottishmummy, that's not particularly helpful. I think Dooin (although I hate to agree with her) was saying that 'chinning' would have been inappropriate action.

I walk my dog offlead when I go into the woods. I go out with a tennis ball and racket so he can get some good exercise if there are no dogs to play with. In my mind that is responsible ownership. Dogs need stimulation, reward and exercise.

I dont think that was the point being made.
But being sworn at, screamed at and intimidated would actually make most people quite angry.

Like I said I was in shock and just stood there, that probably wasn't an appropriate reaction either.

But screaming in my face wasn't appropriate either.