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Out for a lovely walk away from the crowds today.
Two dogs run down the track towards us. Both mrs_oab and I stop walking and try to ignore them, they both are sniffing, nudging hands and typically zeroing in on mrs_oab as she is nervous of them.
'please could you call your dog's?' was asked three times politely.
Response three times was 'they won't hurt you' and 'they don't need to be on a lead up the hill'.
One now jumps up at mrs_oab who panicked and shouted 'will you call your f*ck*ng dogs off!'.
All of a sudden we're being shouted at - Mrs_oab being called ugly hag, stupid bitch, frightened wee c*nt, you swore first etc..
Again I'm asking them to call the dogs - both are now around mrs_oab who is clearly frightened and crying.
I'm telling them the swearing is a frightened reaction and could they call the dogs, can they help the situation.
Nope, told to stop being silly, that they don't need did to, and were should just go home if we don't like dogs.
Utterly nuts.
It's becoming a weekly occurance locally to have some out of control puppy or dog running over, regularly jumping up getting us muddy.
The reply is always 'they won't hurt you'.
FFS, I know this is an extreme incident, but please, if you see someone nervous or are asked to call the dogs, please do it.
Yeah I got jumped on this morning, owners seemed to think this should be charming.
I'm sorry to read this, I completely understand as my wife is fearful of dogs.
There is no thought for others in how it might make you feel if a dog is off a lead no matter what the size, not all owners are the same of course.
Good points well made. So many dog owners seem to have had a bit of their brain removed.
That’s totally unacceptable, so sorry for your wife. It is an unfortunate thing that dogs will tend to be attracted to people who are not calm with them but as a responsible owner one should be all to aware of this and keep them under control, especially if asked politely. To simply say everyone should be ok with dogs or not walk out is the worst mindset and arrogant in the extreme. There are a couple close to us like that, who never put their dog on a lead even when walking up the main road. Unfortunately like in all walks of life you meet people who don’t observe rule number one. As a (hopefully) considerate dog owner I would be mortified in such a situation.
Good points well made. So many dog owners seem to have had a bit of their brain removed.
This is unhelpful as it’s kinda really aimed at all dog owners isn’t it?
matt, shit incident. Hope missus oab was ok - not helpful when the person most nervous around dogs seems to be the one they just can’t bloody stay away from.
I’m not sure what can be done to prevent it in the future. I guess they’ll have taken (what I feel was a perfectly reasonable use of “****ing”) your wife swearing as license to be abusive back. Sound like arseholes. And arseholes, as we know, will be arseholes.
We were discussing it - we would have reacted strongly if someone swore near/at our kids. And to many thier dogs are surrogate children...
But we would have tried to call the kids, probably even apologised for our kids behaviour etc. It wouldn't have got to the stage it did, even in the 20 seconds or so from start to swearing.
It just feels that the "they won't hurt you" is an excuse to not react or take control of the animal.
Sound like arseholes
Well and truly in that category.
It isn't all dog owners.
But it feels here that there are more and more dog owners - and a fair proportion just have no interest in recalling the animal (or the animal isn't going to listen).
You should just carry some fireworks with you. Dog owners love that shit.
I think the standard response to 'They won't hurt you' is 'maybe not but I'm gonna hurt you if you don't get your mutts away from me'.
On a more sensible note this belief that their dogs are special really annoys me, any dog can attack under the right circumstances, if someone perceives themselves to be threatened by your dog your opinion doesn't count. It doesnt even need to be aggressive behaviour to be threatening.
Plenty of good - and gormless - dog owners around here. Had one with an excited thing on an extendable lead the other day who gave the perfect demonstration of the amount of control that type of lead gives you, ie next to zero.
'He's only being friendly' type dog owners really are arseholes, though. They love the adorable little rat, so everyone else must love it too.
I'm glad i haven't had this happen as i genuinely do not know what would happen if i was out with my son.
I know it isn't the dogs fault but i suspect it wouldn't be in a good way as it is hard to justify beating the shit out of the owners
I love dogs, I just wish some of the owners could get it through their heads that a dog that jumps up at strangers is out of control and should be on a lead. None of us want to see "he won't hurt you" changing into " he's never done that before" but that's where some of the bad behaviour ends up.
On a more sensible note this belief that their dogs are special really annoys me, any dog can attack under the right circumstances, if someone perceives themselves to be threatened by your dog your opinion doesn’t count. It doesnt even need to be aggressive behaviour to be threatening.
This, definitely.
And if a person is genuinely fearful of the dog whether the owner thinks it is acceptable behaviour nor not, it could be argued that they are dangerously out of control which is an offence. How far the authorities would take such an incident is a difficult one.
https://www.gov.uk/control-dog-public
Don’t worry, there will be someone along soon to tell you you were both in the wrong somehow.
I grew up round a lot of dogs being from a big shooting area so they don’t frighten me. You would have thought I’d have one now but it’s the last thing I’d have. I know how to react to one coming at me or jumping up at me, which generally means shouting very loudly at them - I have a weirdly loud shout which seems to work pretty well! This however upsets the moronic dog owners who think I’m attacking them somehow - just protecting myself and my wife! Seems to be a very distinct correlation between dog owners who won’t shout at or discipline their dogs and misbehaving dogs - training them isn’t about sitting on naughty step or giving treats it’s about discipline but they don’t have the spines to do it properly.
Unfortunately the explosion in dog ownership and the subsequent infestation of badly trained and idiotic owners out and about had made me really detest dogs just as much as their owners.
I think the standard response to ‘They won’t hurt you’ is ‘maybe not but I’m gonna hurt you if you don’t get your mutts away from me’.
That’s a good idea!
p1ss boiled.
I'm sick to death of dogs off leads and the over entitlement that goes with it.
Any new parent does the same with their 1st born child...but at least they don't have teeth, don't destroy ground nesting birds and their shit is kept in a nappy!
This is unhelpful as it’s kinda really aimed at all dog owners isn’t it?
Unfortunately it seems, maybe in the last 5 years or so, that the badly behaved dogs or owners are now the majority. I genuinely worry when I come across a dog on the trails whether walking or cycling, not about the dog itself but the brain dead owners response when I dare to challenge some out of control mutt.
I had once recently on the TPT where I ended up having to stop completely while some yappity piece of crap was darting around in front of me and around people. I made the decision to stop for its safety and mine and made a decision to not say anything or have any sort of expression on my face and let them pass by - the owner then had a right go at me!!! It just beggars belief sometimes.
I’m glad i haven’t had this happen as i genuinely do not know what would happen if i was out with my son.
If dogs were crowding my family member and causing serious distress I'd be grabbing the nearest stick and beating them off or kicking them away.
Almost every other day I want to start a thread like this to alleviate the rage I feel at arsehole dog owners but I refrain.
I KNOW not all dog owners are dicks but it does seem, lately, that MOST are dicks.
Genuine question; what would the legal consequences of me seriously hurting a dog that I felt was threatening me, my wife or kids?
Yes, I understand it’s not the dog’s fault but it is the thing that’s threatening me.
This is unhelpful as it’s kinda really aimed at all dog owners isn’t it?
Unfortunately it seems, maybe in the last 5 years or so, that the badly behaved dogs or owners are now the majority.
I’d say that was a fair and accurate somethingion.
Sadly all too common. On Friday my mate was telling me about a similar situation wherein an Irish Wolfhound was jumping on his 3 year old.
Owners were not apologetic.
I absolutely adore my dog but I'm very well aware that not everyone does. We take a lot of time to train her and make sure she is under control but she still does get nosy and wants to say hi a lot.
People are dickheads though. Without a doubt Covid has changed they way a lot of people act and what amazes may was how unaware i was until recently of the sheer entitlement levels of a lot of people. I think i just didn't encounter them before and now i am.
To all the keyboard warriors saying they would escalate the violence, would you really?? and is that the best way of dealing with these people?
If dogs were crowding my family member and causing serious distress I’d be grabbing the nearest stick and beating them off or kicking them away.
This, and I like dogs and we have two.
To all the keyboard warriors saying they would escalate the violence, would you really?? and is that the best way of dealing with these people?
What would you suggest instead?
I have 3 small dogs(harmless) but can be bit excited/barky. Dog people understand I apologise to non dog folks. I know some folks are just terrified of dogs of any size but acting nervous just escalates the issue.
Not much help I know but being calm showing no fear is the way to deal with it. But again always easier said than done !
Guess I’m saying ? Actually not sure what I’m saying 🙂 I love my dogs and keep them in check if they get boisterous. But !! I will take offense to anyone being overly nasty/nippy with my dogs !
We had some old bag and her yappy little rat dog jump all over my 4 year old, I told her to put get it off him. She was laughing say he shouldn’t be scared of dogs and it would toughen him up, what a he didn’t know was his best mate is a 35kg GSP who then came up to see what was going on and nudged her dog off and then sat on command and went on the lead(he was playing in sea with the wife at the time). Rocket is a reasonable sized dog, and soft as anything but having him run at you would be quite scary so he goes on the lead a lot around other people.
The other thing that gets me is people letting their dogs other dogs on the lead, that dog could be fearful, reactive, training or just be a bit of a dick.
Mactheknife - i think if my son was under threat and upset by a dog and i couldn't get it to back off then yes i would take steps.
I'm just hoping that i don't end up in the situation as i don't want to hurt anyone or anything.
To all the keyboard warriors saying they would escalate the violence, would you really??
Against the thing that was attacking me, yes. If it was biting me or my wife I’d react in whatever way would make it stop. Seems fair.
This is unhelpful as it’s kinda really aimed at all dog owners isn’t it?
No.
she still does get nosy and wants to say hi a lot.
I assume they are on a short lead. If they aren’t then you are the one at fault. No exceptions, no arguments.
Genuine question; what would the legal consequences of me seriously hurting a dog that I felt was threatening me, my wife or kids?
As long as it was for defending yourself you’d have nothing to worry about. Doesn’t pass the public interest test for prosecution.
jumps up at strangers is out of control and should be on a lead.
Mine’s done this once, I was mortified & very apologetic. He had never done it before 😉 and luckily never had again.
Ours is pretty good 90% of the time and gets put on the lead where I’m not sure I can trust him, if there are a lot of people about or if there’s dog coming the other way on the lead.
I notice there are a lot of people that are less worried about how their hound behaves though & it’s got worse recently - I’m not sure if it’s because the near us is busier than usual or there are more dog owners or a bit of both.
I’m looking forward to those ****ts joining and saying they’ve seen more people bitten by kids than dogs.
Tell that to those families in the news lately whose loved ones were killed by dogs or ignoring the sad story about Freddie the seal in London.
grahamt1980
Full Member
Mactheknife – i think if my son was under threat and upset by a dog and i couldn’t get it to back off then yes i would take steps.
I’m just hoping that i don’t end up in the situation as i don’t want to hurt anyone or anything.
Sorry, i didnt make that clear. Im talking about the escalation of violence towards the owners.
If a dog was threatening your son or anyone else then yes you are well within your rights to do whatever it takes to protect them. I would be exactly the same and i love dogs.
My mum bred Rottweilers when i was a lad and i grew up around big strong dogs. I am well aware of the amount of training they need to be controlled and most people dont get them to then spend this amount of effort sadly.
We live in a world where self entitlement rules. its pretty depressing really.
Yes it winds me up too. My four year old is now scared of dogs because of this sort of behaviour. I just put it down to the unceasing rise of the self absorbed and scowl internally
Owners like this are in the minority, but that doesn’t make the situation any easy for those on the receiving end. I can see why it feels otherwise, even after only a few meetings with the poor ones.
If you can’t recall your dog, it should be on the lead anywhere you are sharing space with people or animals. Full stop. No “he’s never bitten anyone yet” or “she just wants to play with your child” … control your dog, and ask people if they are okay to have contact with it before they have no choice in the matter.
No worries. The sad reality now is that if you did have to take steps with the dog, then i would be surprised if it didn't end up in an issue with the owner sadly.
I keep clear, and make sure my boy does too. His great aunts dog loves him to bits though and has on a few occasions put himself between my son and the dog he didn't like, so am well aware that not all dogs are like that
A lot of people are ****ing thick. More people have got dogs during the pandemic. Ergo, more thick idiots now own dogs.
We always ask people and hold our dog back on his lead before understanding if people want to go up to him. Same with other dogs, not all dogs are fluffy friendly little things and will occasionally go for other dogs.
For these reasons our dog is almost always on a lead, especially at this time of year with pregnant ewes and ground nesting birds all over the place. Sorry to hear your experience MOAB, hope your wife is ok.
b230ftw
Full Member
she still does get nosy and wants to say hi a lot.I assume they are on a short lead. If they aren’t then you are the one at fault. No exceptions, no arguments.
Maybe you shouldn't assume anything. Dogs have a natural noseyness. Mine is no different. But as i said she is well trained. She comes back straight away.
b230ftw
Full Member
I think the standard response to ‘They won’t hurt you’ is ‘maybe not but I’m gonna hurt you if you don’t get your mutts away from me’.That’s a good idea!
Give over. There are a lot of people out there much handier with their fists than you are. I think if you start spouting that nonsense you will find out the hard way.
Owners like this are in the minority
Possibly. But in my experience the vast majority of owners I've politely asked to call their dogs back have responded by accusing me of being the problem. Just call your dog back that's all, oh, you can't as you have absolutely no control over it.
Sadly this happens all too often. It’s not the dogs fault, it’s poor training by crap owners. My Lab is getting on in years but it’s wasn’t long ago that he was very bouncy and over affectionate of anyone who gave him a look of affection - I’m the same 😂 - but these days he’s far more placid, but, I would’ve hit the roof of this happened on one of our family walks; they were entirely in the wrong and utterly lacking in empathy.
I had two very large bags of shit thrown at me after I pointed out that one of the fat oaf’s fat dogs had dropped another fat turd on the sports field he was on. Summed up most of my interactions with dog owners in many ways. (Not the words I used to alert him BTW, I was very polite.)
Summed up most of my interactions with dog owners in many ways
You are the Daily Mail and summed up most of your interactions with cyclists!
Obviously not your first priority, which is your wife, but whip out phone, pics of dogs, pics of owners, report to Police as failure to control under the Dangerous Dogs Act (assuming it applies north of the border)