AIBU to scream and panic when knocked over in the dark suddenly?

I think there perhaps will be a number of posters, who will find that post offensive, Mrs Greenfingers,
I may be afraid of dogs, but I have friends who are very responsible dog owners and I'm fine in the company of their dogs.

Pollydolly, given the fact that Lavazza1st has no description of the dog owner, or the dog other than it was "large", I doubt if the police would be able to do anything, even if they felt inclined to.

Surely better to just put it behind one and get on with life?

Yes, it might have been upsetting, but no one died or was injured, other than a couple of bruises.

Another generalisation MrsGreenfingers most of us responsibly care for our dogs and ensure they are not a nuisance to others. There are those who don't of course and the rest of us get just as annoyed as you are and Lavazza . It's not a perfect world sadly.

mrsgreenfingers56

Sorry but this is just a typical dog owner. Not the dog's fault. The owner should have it under control and on a lead. The cheek of it to blame you, beggars belief really. Hope you are feeling better now.

Well sorry Mrsgreenfingers speaking as a typical dog owner (72, widowed, 5 grandchildren, soppy big shiny black Greyhound ) I am amazed with what conviction you feel able to describe all us dog owners.
I do walk her on the lead, but that’s as much for her protection as greyhounds have very poor recall.

The dog owner was totally in the wrong; what if you had banged your head on the kerb and suffered a serious head injury, what if you had fractured your hip, what if you had landed on broken glass??

Oh there’s nothing like a good burst of “whatiffery”

Fact - these things did not happen.

Only after the dog had run off he accused me of taking his dog. He was so scary

Well, he sounds utterly bonkers to me, Lavazz! Did he think you'd stuffed the biggish dog into your handbag or hidden it somewhere when you went over?

I know there are lots of dog thieves out there but a woman (not sure how old you are) walking her own dog on a dark evening is not likely to be a dog thief, is she.

I hope you're feeling less shaken up now and don't let it put you off taking your own dog out, preferably in the daylight.

phoenix

Thank you Kalu, I've read some sweeping statements on GN, but that one just took the Bonio!

Surely better to just put it behind one and get on with life?

phoenix I do think this was a shock and very traumatic for Lavazz and it does take time to get over something like that

Hope you are not too shaken up Lavazz, thank goodness no bones were broken or that you weren't bitten
X

I'd be hopping mad as the dog was not under control. Here, there's a local byelaw that dogs must be on a lead on the pavement.

As the owner didn't apologise, was aggressive and learned nothing from the incident, I'd be inclined to inform the police. They can have a word with him about his (and his dog's) behaviour.

How can the police have a word, if the poster doesn't know his name nor can provide a description? ?
It's all getting a bit hysterical.

It can't have been much fun to have been sent flying and had a fall.

Agree, Grandmabatty but no bones broken, no lasting damage, upsetting, yes, but a better result than it might have been.

The OP hasn't said what happened to her dog that was with her, still wondering if the other dog was coming to say "hello" albeit a bit boisterously.

Is your dog a female, Lavazz?

My last dog was always very eager to say hello if there were any female dogs around, although he was about a quarter the size of some of them.

Sorry, I have been spelling your name wrong Lavazza1st

What is wrong with some of you? This lady was knocked off her feet by a large dog, which was not on a lead and had run out of the church gateway onto the road, whilst it’s owner was not focussed on his dog’s behaviour. During these times, dog owners should keep their dogs on a lead - as I do - in public places. Where is the understanding and empathy in this group? So sorry, Lavazz, that you’ve had this experience. I do hope you regain your confidence and begin to enjoy dog walks again with your partner.

Marydoll, it's usually very easy to identify local dog walkers. Many take the same route at the same time every day. Other dog walkers will know who owns the big dog with reflective collar.

We soon found out who owned a dog that attacked a smaller one, their name and where they lived. The owner had just run away!

Bloody dog owners - really this is totally unacceptable, and I am so sorry this has happened to you. I have problems on my daily walk in the woods - I am alone and it is scary when they appear growling from the bushes. How I wish dog owners would properly control their dogs so that people can walk in peace and safety.

Speaking as a bloody dog owner I feel compelled to say a word for the vast majority of us who are responsible and ensure our dogs are well behaved.
This unfortunate incident seems destined to blacken dog owners’ names everywhere regardless of what actually happened. A biggish dog ran out of a church gate and collided with a middle aged lady who was out with her husband and own dog, sending her flying and causing her to fall over.
It did not attack her but she panicked with the shock and screamed.
Was she being unreasonable? I can’t say as I wasn’t there but my own children were brought up not to scream, squeal or flap at dogs as it can make them over excited. That does not appear to have happened here as the dog ran off according to OP.
So let’s not inflate this into an attack by a random hound of the Baskervilles.
Yes its owner was at fault - does that mean all dogs and all dog owners?
Let keep a sense of proportion.

Maw, perhaps Sherlock could solve the mystery of the missing hound owner. However, as he has so little to go on, we may never know.
Unless you can recall what he looked like or the breed of the dog, best to move on Lavazza1st and concentrate on getting your confidence back.

Lavazza1st, perhaps the dog owner will avoid that area in future and take a different route.
He probably got as big a shock as you, especially if you screamed.

Well said Maw

I have had dogs all my life and only on GN have I been referred to as a bloody dog owner. This from people who wouldn’t know me or my dogs if we passed in the street but feel they have the right to shame me.?

Marydoll, I doubt that he will - as he doesn't seem like a normal, reasonable human being to me. He probably believes that he's done nothing wrong at all.

I’m surprised that the owner thought you had the dog, after it sent you flying, if it had a flashing collar on it.
I always keep a torch in my handbag, useful for shining into the face of anyone who confronts you.
But screaming will freak everyone out, especially a dog.
Didn’t your partner say anything to the chap?

* Lavazza1st*

Goodness me - that’s a awful thing to happen! It must have been very distressing as it came so completely out of the blue. It’s so sad that it has unsettled you so much about going outside. I wish I had some words or advice regarding it, but I don’t, unfortunately. I do hope that any aches and bruises you have settle soon and that you can slowly begin to put this behind you.

The dog owner should be ashamed. Fortunately you haven't sustained any serious injury but it could have been so different. The owner did not have his dog under proper control. Only 8 weeks ago my SIL was attacked by a dog, dragged owner across the road to him. He sustained terrible bites to his arms and a sprained wrist when dog grabbed him. Awaiting outcome of court case as owner charged. You were not being unreasonable the owner was.

Absolutely not. If my dig had knocked you down I would have been mortified. You are in your rights to sue the owner if you could find him. I’m sure the Vicar would want to find him too if the dog had been running loose in the churchyard as it’s probably pooed and peed everywhere . You look after yourself, shuck can do many things to the mind.