Petrified Londoners!

[PILhip]

I have a small, white, fluffy poodle X. I live 2hrs from London now, but often return to the where I used to live in East London. Where I am now, people want to pat my dog, say hello etc. In London, they squeal to get out of the way, walk on the road to avoid the dog and visibly look petrified. Are people worried about being mauled, think it has rabies or just not used to seeing dogs as pets?

I live in London with loads of dogs and it's the most dog friendly place on the planet

Not one person has ever avoided any of my dogs even though one's a nutter and squeaks like he's being murdered if he sees a dog/crisp packet in the distance

London is full of dogs! What are you talking about?

The only time I ever see people move away or flinch away is when the dog is notably smelly or not very well behaved.

I am repulsed by dogs, and don't find them cute in the least. I think they are revolting, and I don't want one sniffing or licking me, let alone biting me. I am in London, but I hate them wherever I go. Maybe yours is extra hideous.

What are you wanging on about OP, London is full of dogs. Particularly little yippy ones with no manners.

If your dog touches me, I’m going to get a rash. The last thing I want is to pass closely on the pavement or to end up close on a crowded train car.

It's because there are so many poorly behaved dogs in London.

I don't want dogs jumping up at me, licking me, rubbing up against me, stealing food from me/my children.

Not all dogs do this obviously but enough do that I give dogs a wide berth

I have a very small dog and often visit East London. I had to get in a lift with a Bengali gentleman - he wasn't scared of the dog, but very clearly didn't want the dog anywhere near him. I presumed that this was linked to the belief in Islam that dogs' saliva is impure and kept my dog well away from him. I try a be respectful of this belief if I take the dog to crowded areas like markets etc

I'm allergic to dogs so avoid touching them when I'm out and about and can't wash my hands. I am probably over sensitive because of this but I do find people bringing their dogs on crowded tubes/trains particularly annoying - they often seem oblivious that maybe not everyone wants their darling dog sitting on their feet.

I didn’t know that was a thing - my dad was Muslim and we always had dogs growing up. As did all of the Muslim side of the family.

If you google lots of information comes up

It would be most respectful to leave your dog at home though.

I just did - looks like it’s debate raging amongst Islamic scholars (casting non reputable sources aside) as to whether that’s actually true or not. And most of the references are truly ancient and not relevant today.

Barring stray dogs which abound in some countries and should be avoided in general for good reason (and actually that seems to be the source of the dog slaughter in Medina that is the origin of the “dogs are Haram” thought), I’ve never heard of any of the Muslims that I know avoiding dogs for religious reasons. Appreciate that’s not a universal truth.

I respect other's beliefs but I also have the right to visit family members which means bringing the dog.

Here is a non controversial article from the East London Advertiser which alludes to cultural and religious beliefs about dogs www.eastlondonadvertiser.co.uk/news/20967842.london-guide-dogs-team-visits-east-london-mosque-ahead-dog-events/

I live in London, commute regularly and I haven't seen this myself, but I imagine it could happen if you encountered people like me.

I used to like dogs, however I don't so much now cos there's too many of them, they are not charming to me anymore.
Now they are everywhere.

I've experienced lots of feckless owners who let their dogs poop and pee everywhere, bark loudly and earsplittingly, fight other dogs. I've got tangled up in their leads, they let them loll all over the floor in cafes, on public transport, shedding stinky hair, drool and smell around and potentially on me.

Tbh I find the concept of trailing around another species on a rope as a pet, kept as an inferior intelligence novelty kinda weird now. And picking their poop up.....

If a dog gets on my area on the train I will consider moving away cos I don't want to interact with them in any way.

With respect, you obviously don’t know that much about Muslim communities and their history in the UK if you think what’s in that article is representative of all Muslims. I live in East London but grew up in North London. The various communities I come across couldn’t be more different. Because their experiences and heritage is often very different.

But I also doubt that everyone the OP is talking about is Muslim! So it’s not that relevant to the thread.

I had to get a train today with an absolutely stinky goldie. His owners were obviously nose blind to how bad he smelled. So yes I moved away. Trust me, almost everyone did!

I don't pretend to be an expert about Muslim communities or their history. However, having lived and taught in primary schools in Tower Hamlets for over 20 years and with family members who still live there, I have some knowledge of the local community albeit from a non-Muslim perspective. The original post was about attitudes to dogs in East London, the article is from the East London Advertiser and quotes community leaders from the East London Mosque who are presumably knowledgeable about the beliefs of their community. My original point was this is one reason why people in East London might not like dogs. Other people on the thead have given lots of other reasons for disliking dogs which are equally valid. I think your a trying to give my posts a slant that is not intended but I apologise as you have obviously taken offence..

I haven’t taken offence at all and apologise if it’s come across as that. I’ve actually found it a really interesting conversation - and a reminder that my experience isn’t a universal one. So I apologise if I’ve come across as combative - not it in any way my intention.

I still hate smelly dogs in my space though :)

Maybe they were scared of you OP?

@TheBossOfMe It is interesting to talk about different experiences and perspectives.

We will have to agree to differ on dogs!

I agree totally on your first sentence. I love coming across different perspectives - it’s how we learn so much. Mumsnet is a school day most days for me. I love that.

On dogs. I have a dog (spaniel) that specialises in rolling in fox crap. Which I only realise after he rubs it onto my legs. So I might be oversensitive to how smelly they can be 😂. He’s a twat - my ex got him in the divorce but I dog sit when he goes away so get the pleasure of the stinky spaniel’s company for a few weeks a year. Smelly bastard that he is, I miss him when I don’t have him. And my Muslim dad would have adored him. Stinkiness and all :)

Londoner here, and my neighbourhood is chocka with small white poodly types. London is home to far too many dogs (and cats), so I struggle to believe pps have really encountered widespread fear. Maybe it's just the Londoner desire for a little personal space and no unsolicited contact that's getting misinterpreted.

This is absolutely not a thing… there are considerably more dogs around in London than there used to be.

It's cultural I think. I notice Muslims often seem terrified of my tiny dog.