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

Why would the owner have accused you of ‘taking his dog’?
You, an older woman, on the ground having been knocked over by the said dog? It doesn’t make much sense to me.

Hello Lavazza, I know exactly how you feel both emotionally and physically and hope you feel better today. I was recently knocked over by a Spaniel & Labrador who came charging towards me on a walk on a local footpath. I had the wind knocked out of me and pain seared through my arthritic joints. I lay for a second or two, flat on my back, in a daze, until owner came to help me up. No apology, no real concern, just a passing query "are you ok now?". It took me a few days to feel 100% better again. The owner is a neighbour but I feel disinclined to spend time chatting to him now. The drawback with arthritis is that to the world's eye you look and walk pretty normally but when you fall, it's agony all over. I now avoid getting too close to running/playing dogs albeit I was walking mine at the time and she was on a lead quiet as a lamb. I found a warm bath helped my aches & pains at the time. Chin up.

It could have been so much worse @Luluaugust I had a few marks on me, feel bruised but nothing serious. I was able to walk away. I must have been in shock with adrenaline pumping because I didn't feel pain or shake until I was home.

Thanks so much. It has knocked my confidence so much and now am blaming myself and thinking my own dog doesn't trust me.

You poor thing, you must have been absolutely terrified, thank goodness you weren't seriously hurt. It might be worth a call to the Police just to warn them that there is a careless dog owner around, giving date and time and any description (of owner!), just so that if it sadly happens to someone else, they can build up a picture.

I'm not too good at going out on my own in the dark anyway, but I do hope you recover your confidence soon.

It’s simply good fortune that you’re not injured. People on ‘phones are always ‘elsewhere’, unaware, not taking control or responsibility for the situations their lazy and selfish behaviour can create! So, of course he’d blame you.....so much easier than being concerned for your safety and sorry that it happened. Get over it and get better soon and don’t give it another thought. ?

I would have been petrified and probably in a lot of trouble with the bits of me that have been replaced. Take things slowly and have another go with your own dog tomorrow. It is definitely not your fault in any way.

@PensionPat he does not know where I live. I was terrified of him and walked past my house to hide somewhere until I was sure he had left the area. I hope he never returns.

Thanks so much @Blossoming I tried to leave the house today with my own dog and only got 2 metres because my dog refused to walk. I don't know if it's the rain or because my dog is picking up that I'm scared, but I feel guilty now that my dog hasn't gone out I don't know how to move on from it.

YANBU, that sounds like a terrifying experience. The dog owner is the only person at fault here.

Thanks Grannybags. I'm not sure why it ran at me. I'm terrified to leave the house now.

It ws scary! I did know the dog was there, in the churchyard because it had a flashing collar, but didn't think anything of walking along the road. The owner seemed to be on their phone and didn't even react when the dog ran out of the gate. Only after the dog had run off he accused me of taking his dog. He was so scary I thought about reporting it, but I didn't see the dog properly because of the darkness and couldn't have described it except "heavy".

Sorry to hear about what sounds like a terrible experience. I would have screamed too! Having had a couple of falls/trips I know how it feels to have all your insides literally shaken up. As you say, it was 100% the dog owners fault. I think some flowers from him are in order. You will probably take a few days to recover. Be kind to yourself.

No you're not being unreasonable. It sounds like a frightening experience. The dog should have been under control

I wouldn't worry about the dog, he's probably turned up by now

I hope you feel able to venture out again once you are not so sore