Dog attack - getting my confidence back

[Deleted User]

I'm a runner and dog walker . I have a very nervous dog and walk him on a lead with caution written on it . Today I was walking along a very wide pavement and a runner made me jump and I went "ooh"as a reaction as the runner ran from behind . My dog was also surprised as the runner ran passed right next to my dog And my dog jumped up and ripped his tshirt . I shouted sorry but the runner had head phones on and clearly didn't want to stop to ruin his running time , the runner then did another lap without stopping to check himself to see if he was ok . Who is in the wrong the runner for making me and my dog scared and not making it clear he was there and running within a foot passed me and my dog or me . I had no time to put the lead tighter as as far as I was aware no one else was around , never expected anybody to shoot passed me from behind with no warning .

Philomena Cunk

You are in the wrong. You have a dangerous dog and need to control it. Being close proximity to someone is not an excuse. 

[Deleted User]

Even if the man scared me too

[Deleted User]

For all I was aware it was a mugger running up behind me

Philomena Cunk

Did he run at you with a knife or was he just doing a normal activity. We can't have people punching people in shopping centres because people were scared because someone walked near them. 

Muttley

You are in the wrong because you should keep your dog under control at all times in a public place. In this instance it was a runner from behind who startled you and the dog. Would the dog have reacted in the same aggressive way if startled by a child?

You could argue a degree of contributory negligence on the runner's part because it would be have been sensible to wheeze a "coming past" as he approached. But the main onus is on you.

I'm surprised he didn't stop after the dog went at him, tbh.

[Deleted User]

I asked if he was ok and he carried on running like normal and even did another lap couldn't hear a word as headphones on he didn't seem bothered about the situation unlike me who was shook up .

tonyp2604

I'm not a dog owner and no expert on dogs but it might be an idea to get some specialist dog training to make your dog less nervous/reactive outside. One day a small child might suprise your dog and the consequences don't bare thinking about.

[Deleted User]

Will do thanks

[Deleted User]

He is ten now never done anything like this before just nervous will either be a house dog or muzzled in future . I know this much though as a runner myself would never run up behind and next to a dog I do not know when it's easy to give space .

Muttley

Although in your defence I happen to think that if he was wearing an mp3 and headphones while out running he deserves to have a dog rip the arse out of his shorts

VDOT52

Rachel- You have a lead with caution written on it but your dog has never been aggressive previously? Rubbish. You must mean it is the first time the dog has made contact despite going for people.



I agree with you about giving people and dogs a wide berth, it is common decency. I even carry coins in my pocket so people can here me jingle as I approach. I took the decision to do so after scaring the witts out of several people on various dark runs.



If your dog is likely to bite anyone when outside of your property it needs to be muzzled or kept in as you suggest.

[Deleted User]

Never gone for people just nervous around other dogs it's to warn other dog owners to keep their dogs that are off their leads away from mine that let their dogs run up to him and scare him .

VDOT52

It must be a very big lead if it can be read from afar



Unfortunately now that he has made his first attempt to actually bite, you can not trust him. It is a muzzle or being kept away from the public from now on.



As a dog owner I hate it when dogs lose their liberty but realistically there is no option once they cross the line.

[Deleted User]

I've been on receiving end of a Dalmatian called Banksy of all names off the lead jumping up at me and and scratching me and believe the owners are at fault then as the dog was off lead chasing me down foot path also nearly been mowed down by a bike coming around a bend on public footpath when out running and that was not nice but in my situation my dog was on the lead and the runner put himself within feet of my dog without warning it would have scared any dog , at least it's a lesson for runners and dog owners alike.

[Deleted User]

Agree about how bad MP3 players are I listen to music when out running and it's dangerous , no awareness of surroundings or traffic noise . The runner in question today couldn't even hear me ask him to stop to see if he was ok , so how would he hear any traffic when crossing roads from pavements .