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The rights of people trump the rights of dogs. Next question?
We've done this to death previously. It's not about "oh, he won't bite." Maybe he won't, but perhaps I just don't want muddy paws on my new jeans; perhaps I'm extremely allergic; perhaps I'm phobic; perhaps I don't want covering in slobber; perhaps I have traumatised cats at home that will get stressed if I come home smelling of hound; perhaps I simply don't like dogs. None of this matters, the bottom line is that people shouldn't have to interact with other people's dogs if they don't want to because people are more important than dogs.
It is of course sensible for kids (and adults) to learn how to act around loose dogs. And for that matter, most other animals and unpredictable hazards they might encounter. Cows, horses, cyclists... But they shouldn't have to and to suggest it's all on them is victim-blaming.
For instance (amongst many, not singling this poster out):
Obviously, I should have been a bit more on the ball and noticed the people quicker but things happen. I thought it was a great response by the dad. Maybe try that?
Or, use a lead in a public place if you don't have full recall of your pet. Maybe try that?
There's no excuse for it, really. A friend of mine has a black lab. Lovely dog, I've been out on walks with them a few times. Rarely on a lead except when it's prescribed by the land owner / law (the dog, not me). My mate goes "Monty, sit!" from half a mile away and that dog's arse hits the ground fast enough to cause a dent.
Dog apologists are part of the problem. "Oh, he's only playing." Don't care. I love dogs, I interact with them daily when out walking and they brighten up my day. But a number of owners are self-entitled shits. If I ride into someone, is it then OK to argue "well, it's never done that before" and lecture them on how to behave around bicycles?
Indeed, I don't care if it's a golden retriver puppy or a Hyena, if it's untrained it should be on a short lead, and under control. End of story.
'Should' is all very well and good, but 'should' isn't reality. Teaching your kids how to be safe around a loose dog isn't 'victim-blaming' it's ****ing sensible and an attempt at protecting them.
Relying on people to do the right thing is a fool's errand.
Either report her or kick the dog until it keeps away.
Good god alive - that’s the most utterly bollocks thing I have seen you post. Yes, the owner of the dog was entirely in the wrong but - kick an animal that wasn’t actually being aggressive is sick. You should be ashamed at yourself for even suggesting such drivel.
"Should’ is all very well and good, but ‘should’ isn’t reality. Teaching your kids how to be safe around a loose dog isn’t ‘victim-blaming’ it’s **** sensible and an attempt at protecting them.
Relying on people to do the right thing is a fool’s errand."
+1, but blaming others is the STW way...
Sorry i thought it would be obvious i was being deliberatly provocative. I dont actually go atound kicking dogs.
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I would actually be reporting a dog dangerously out of control as it is clearly . They only have to scate someone to be dangerously out of control.in the legak sense
The idea that we have to accept this from dogs is victim blaming. Standing still gets you bitten. Scaring the dog off works in my experience and a theat to the dog will soon get the owners attention
kick an animal that wasn’t actually being aggressive is sick
Ypu have no way of knowing if the dog will bite or not. The only sensible way to orotect youself is to assume it will. I have been bitten without warning or ant signs of agression.
Owner was in the wrong.
Our mutt stays on the lead in the park. Far too much interesting stuff going on and he'd steal someone's football, or picnic.
He goes off lead in the fields or woods.
As a kid at about 7 or 8 years old, I was chased by a dog. Ended up at the top of a climbing frame to get away from it. I was scared of dogs for a long time after that. It was only when we got a family dog that I chilled out around them.
Knowing what I know now, the dog just wanted to play. But at that age and the dog being the same size as me I was shit scared.
Been a while since we've seen the Edinburgh Defence.
😁
Love a dog thread!
Useful way of reminding you who all the forum members you're best off avoiding in life are once in a while. 👍
Don't need a reminder for all of them mind.
Bad Cougar. Down boy
"The rights of people trump the rights of dogs."
Considering what human beings have done and continue to do to other species, what they have done and continue to do the the planet on which we all live, as well as how some people behave, I genuinely struggle to see how anybody can reach that conclusion.
Edited to say: The post directly above has nothing to do with me by the way. I mean, it so beautifully illustrates my point, I worry some of you would think that I have a second account and had written it myself.
We need a law change that all dogs should be on a lead at all times unless in a designated off lead area. I then don't have to have dogs trying to attack my dogs, I don't have dogs running after me when I am riding and we don't have situations such as OP because it wouldn't be in designated areas.
I would say that of the many dogs I come across around 10% of the owners have any control over them when off lead. Some of them just zig zag around getting in my way while others chase me allow the gravel road, neither great.
If you haven't got complete control don't walk your dog off lead when other people are going about their business
I wouldn't necessarily be against that @kerley but wtf is going to police it?
Many people round here don't even put their dog on a lead when they are on the road. I had to stop my car yesterday as a dog was loose on the road. It then repeatedly ran up to the car - wanting to interact with my dog probably who was in the car - while the hapless owner tried calling it away to no avail.
To the op, you did nothing wrong. Entitled dog owners are a huge problem. Not sure what else you can do in that situation though. Longer term if you have friends or family with a friendly dog it might be worth getting your son a positive experience with a dog.
Calm down there aa! If we wanted reasoned and sensible comments we’d visit YouTube
Agree with aa that the op did nothing wrong but what they were doing was exciting to a dog. I think all you can be is to be aware and, if at all possible, tell the person what you are going to do before you start. Not always possible of course, especially not if the halfwit is on her phone while walking her dog.
In my instance, the people were tourists and came to a park they were unfamiliar with and let their kids start rolling down the hill shouting and laughing. They did nothing wrong but behaving in such an unusual way (to a dog) is going to get the majority of dogs excited.
I think everybody needs to be more aware and stop all this going on about the law and people's rights and so on. And I don't think anyone needs to suggest the best way to respond to a dog is to kick it ever again.
“The rights of people trump the rights of dogs.”
Considering what human beings have done and continue to do to other species, what they have done and continue to do the the planet on which we all live, as well as how some people behave, I genuinely struggle to see how anybody can reach that conclusion.
Because it's what the law says.
The law humans impose on the planet without consulting the other species that inhabit it?
The law humans impose on the planet without consulting the other species that inhabit it?
That's right.
Yeah, why is nobody asking the rabbits what they think.
Ypu have no way of knowing if the dog will bite or not. The only sensible way to orotect youself is to assume it will.
I agree that some dogs may bite, but the vast majority of them would not so lashing out at every dog that approaches you could be seen as pretty unreasonable behaviour. Don't get me wrong, I totally agree that an owner of a dog that allows it to approach strangers is behaving unreasonably but reacting in the way you suggest is equally unreasonable.
In my instance, the people were tourists and came to a park they were unfamiliar with and let their kids start rolling down the hill shouting and laughing. They did nothing wrong but behaving in such an unusual way (to a dog) is going to get the majority of dogs excited.
If people doing fairly normal park activities, running, playing, shouting, generally larking is going to randomly send the majority of dogs out of control surely the logical control measure is for all dogs to be kept on a lead in parks?
I wouldn’t necessarily be against that @kerley but wtf is going to police it?
Especially as we already have laws for out of control dogs that isnt being effectively enforced.
Jondo
So l have wait to be bitten?
The reason the law is not enforced is because it relies on the public reporting the dog. The OP needs to report that dog.
Uncontrolled dogs off leads are a real problem, especially if the dog is the same size of you! OP I think you did the right thing. Let's hope the owner will keep her dog on a leash from now on.
So l have wait to be bitten?
No, but if I were you I'd be waiting to see if the dog was being aggressive rather than playful before lashing out at it as doing that is likely to result in you being bitten.
The reason the law is not enforced is because it relies on the public reporting the dog. The OP needs to report that dog.
Report a dog for playing? Give your head a shake.
The current law is for out of control dogs. A law stating that all dogs need to be on leads would have a better effect as people would know they should keep the dog on a lead and a lot of people would actually do that. People seeing the owner would also know that.
The people who ignore it can clearly be seen and it is very much more black and white than whether a dog is deemed out of control or not.
The reason the law is not enforced is because it relies on the public reporting the dog. The OP needs to report that dog
😂🤣😂
Christ almighty. You really do come across as exactly the sort of person who would benefit from having a dog.
Look out for the signs, TJ. They are pretty obvious to an adult. I'm not saying you should have to but it's sensible to do so.
As for the law, we are given example every single day of how useless our laws are. Perhaps human beings shouldn't have taken such a great big dump on the laws of nature.
And rabbits, there'll be none left soon so we don't have to concern ourselves with asking them.
My dog is on a lead most of the time but sometimes she goes off. It was an unusual situation. Like I say, it was the Easter holidays. But leads aren't the answer to everything. People drop leads, they get pulled out of their hands and leads snap.
But I'll keep my dog on a double lead, one in my hand, one tied round my waist when we are in the park if you like, if people would stop dropping rubbish in the park. Around that time i had to go round the park picking up pieces of hard boiled painted egg that people had been rolling down the hill so my dog didn't eat them and get sick.
Just for the record, i was bitten as a kid and had to go to hospital. I've been chased while riding my bike and my dogs has been attacked and bothered by off lead dogs belonging to the 'he just wants to play' brigade or 'he's just a puppy' brigade. I've learnt that you have to handle these situations the best way you can because other people are largely going to do what the hell they like because many people simply don't give a damn.
Wow. First response and it's the knuckle dragging moron approach :/
It's an interesting tactic, treat friendly interaction (yes I know it's unwanted) with violence, next time that interaction might not be so friendly as you've taught the dog that humans are dicks, or the dog owner is also a knuckle dragging moron and smacks you in the mouth and you can't really complain, as violence was your initial response, or the dog walkers bf/partner is a knuckle drag... you get the picture.
You'd have to check with your local council regarding the dogs on leads in parks, different rules for different councils. Whilst not an ideal response from the dog owner she did at least seem bothered about it and there's a chance to talk to her if there's a next time as she's wrong, most likely through what she's been told/assumed is acceptable rather than bothering to spend the time understanding her responsibilities.
I'm guessing you don't have dogs at home? do you have any friends/relatives/neighbours with (well behaved) dogs? maybe arrange for you and your kids to walk the dogs a few times so they both get used to being around dogs. My youngest was scared of dogs until his early teens, no specific incident they're just large with lots of teeth. I used to take him round to a friends house to play in the garden with his black labs, he's still wary of them now but that's no bad thing, I've taught both my kids to be far more wary of humans.
I don't think you could have handled it much better in the park tbh, from what you've written the dog saw you all playing and wanted to join in, the responsibility of the dog owner was to prevent that. Maybe ask your lad to run to you if it happens again, possibly some dog treats to hand as distraction (yes, I know you shouldn't need to ) which may also allow your kids to interact with the dog in a positive way, this might be easier, quicker and more rewarding for them than attempting to show the owner the error of their ways.
Wow. First response and it’s the knuckle dragging moron approach :/
Yeah, he has an alert set up... 😉
Teach your son to run off in a straight line. The dog owner will soon call the dog back if it gets out of sight. I do this on my bike if a dog starts chasing. Just ride/run off and don't look back. If it will stop at some point.
Look out for the signs, TJ. They are pretty obvious to an adult. I’m not saying you should have to but it’s sensible to do so.
Back to victim blaming
Last time i was bitten there were zero signs at all.
As someone thats reported a number of out of control dogs, i can confirm (I mean allege based on the conversations had when reporting) that it wasnt the reporting that was the problem. And the problen was on fact the report being a very long way down a list of other problems.
Edit, the two local officers have said just the same thing.
"Teach your son to run off in a straight line. The dog owner will soon call the dog back if it gets out of sight. I do this on my bike if a dog starts chasing. Just ride/run off and don’t look back. If it will stop at some point."
Don't do this!
Sorry TJ, you're right as usual.
Not much point arguing about the law and who's right if a dog is jumping on you or your kids.
Unless it's a violent breed I wouldn't kick it. You can tell a dogs intentions. That golden retriever (our nemesis for good behaviour from our young lab) was just excited and they're pretty harmless usually. As others have said keep everyone calm so it's not one big game and even distract it then politely imply that you're happy to help with its training.
Owner should really have it on a lead. Hopefully will do now and spend some time and effort training now. We've had to work really hard with ours and only just starting to get to the point where he behaves (very boisterous and only starting to behave properly, will be on a lead unless there's no one about or other big dogs to play with).
Hopefully your kids arent put off for life
Last time i was bitten there were zero signs at all.
There will almost always be some sign it was going to happen. Whether you have the knowledge and experience to read those signs is a different matter. As someone who has spent a lot of time with dogs I am positive I could read those signs wheras you, as someone who hates dogs, would probably struggle. Not saying that to be contentious, it's almost certainly true, because you have no desire to engage with dogs you have far less ability to read their behavour. I'm replying to you, but that is directed at anyone who has similar experiences.
It's not all that different from cyclists choosing to ride defensively. If they don't, they might get hit by a car being driven badly. A situation that is absolutely not OK, and it not the vitims fault - but the risk of which could be reduced with a bit of time spent learning defensive riding. Just one of many examples which could be used btw.
Should you have to do this? Absolutely not, as far as I am concerned I would be happy for the default to be 'dogs on leads everywhere unless designated otherwise' but considering the current laws are not enforced there would be no point. THe real issue is people in all walks of life can be entitled pr*cks and that is a problem as a nation we are never going to solve.
Unfortunately this is the way of the world and tars responsible dog owners, I have a mastiff puppy we walk through the kids play park on the way to the fields, there is no way would let him off around kids running around and playing football it is too exciting for him, he is soft as abrush but is a big dog, he loves playing football but you can't set him up for a fall.
Since the rise in WFH dog ownership has gone through the roof, really annoys me when dogs are off lead with no recall, the owner shouts they are friendly when they come charging at my on lead dog or worse they don't even notice as they have their head in their phone.
There is not much you can do but politely ask them to recall their dog remind them they should have full control over there dog at all times, I have had a couple of run ins With idiots who shouldn't be able to own a dog I walk a different when I see them now.
Best advice for your kids is to stand still, most dogs are friendly and are more interested in the smells on their walk, do you have friends with dogs that you could introduce your kids too?
No in this case absolutly no warning. I was stationary on my bike. Two dogs walking past me. One just turned and bit me. No warning at all.
The dog was just walking along.
It was worried that you were going to kick it, word travels, that why they bark to each other. "Watch out for the old argumentative bloke on the nice bike, he kicks out without warning. Get your retaliation in early"
No in this case absolutly no warning. I was stationary on my bike. Two dogs walking past me. One just turned and bit me. No warning at all.
If that is the case then you have been very, very unlucky. It is incredibly unusual behaviour for a dog to do something like that – why would it? You were stood still (and I assume making no noise) and straddling a bike so you would appear a pretty formidable foe. Did it attack you (ie, a sustained bite and hold) or simply whip round and nip at you (which a dog would do as a warning if it felt threatened).
More of a nip but broke the skin
Lolz at jonv