Another baby killed

As I said Jaberwok I posted above what I think of assistance dogs.
None of the experiences I have mentioned with dogs are untrue.

Yes I remember you asking that question Gsm, and you are right, a stony silence! I guess my query will go the same way!! I do find it hard to believe that anyone could continually have such a bad experience with every dog they come across. But,there you go, who am I to know one way or the other.

The woman who lived next to my daughter was blind, and had an assistance dog for years, however the next one she had didnt work out, so she could just give it back with no repercussions.

Surely the whole point of assistance dogs is that they are highly and intensively trained.
Also, some dogs aren't the right fit for a particular person, and again that is thoroughly tested out before placing them.

Jaberwok I have already posted above what I think of assistance dogs.

Thanks for the sarcasm jody but this thread was NOT started to bin all dogs it was started to point out the rogue owners and rogue dogs which surely we both agree about don’t we ? and the ways forward to try and see what can be done to make sure these things don’t keep happening
Don’t we both agree I would have thought we did

You won’t get an answer Jaberwok. Yesterday I asked what would happen if someone who couldn’t stand dogs lost their sight and their only chance of getting out of the house and having company was to have a guide dog. Silence. These are people who strongly dislike all dogs and make the excuse of negative experiences. Even a puppy being carsick. Intelligent women.

Can I ask Kate and Luckygirl , respectfully, what their opinion is of working dogs? ie Guide dogs both for blind and disabled people, who do a fantastic job, also drug seeking dogs, mountain rescue, sheep dogs, hospital visiting dogs and many more? Should these invaluable canines also be condemned?

That was to Bluebelle.

Thank you for pointing what is obvious out to me. I am aware everywhere is NOT like where I live. I was giving a comparison regarding my impression and the post by Luckygirl and the "dreadful" place she lives in, where daily accosting by dogs is the norm!!
I have already given an opinion about irresponsible dog owners further up the thread, you have probably missed that!
I have been on this earth (80) long enough to know the difference between responsible dog owners, irresponsible dog owners, dog lovers and dog haters.

Luckygirl3

Where have you been all your life?! They are everywhere round here. A walk in the woods is a pain in the neck - dogs are everywhere - uncontrolled. It is an obstacle course battling with one dog after another.

Luckygirl that made me smile (sorry) as I had a vision of you walking through the woods hurdling over all the dogs in your path ?

I can understand someone who has had a bad experience with a dog being fearful and yes, there are irresponsible dog owners whose dogs are out of control and those who have bought dogs during lockdown and now the poor dogs are left at home all day or otherwise abandoned.

However, I think dogs are great companions for many reasons.
Children should be taught to treat dogs with respect and a child should never, ever be left alone with a dog.

BlueBelle

Ok and please UNDERSTAND I m NOT a dog hater but do see the downside sometimes to all the perfect dogs that dog lovers only see

The other day we went for a sea dip leaving our clothes on the beach as we came out there is a male dog cocking it’s leg on my friends coat The owners are miles away ( too far to get their attention) and they are happily in deep conversation

GSM you have hit the nail, on the head when you quote ‘responsible dog owners’ BUT this thread is NOT about responsible dog owners it’s about IRRESPONSIBLE dog owners

Can’t everyone see the difference ?

That really annoys me. The beach isn’t necessarily a safe place for dogs. We often get jellyfish on the beach: sadly deceased seal pups can take ages to rot away and touching them can make dogs very ill or even live seal pups are often injured by dogs because their owners have let the dogs run on ahead. Some beaches ask dog owners to keep their dogs in leads at nesting time to protect ground nesting birds and the wardens get so much abuse from dog owners. There are very few nasty dogs. We know this because we’re paranoid about our girl being attacked again so are always on the look out for aggressive dogs. We made some lovely new friends yesterday whilst walking our dog and sitting on the sofa last night with her resting her head on my arm made me feel sad that some people don’t experience the loving bond that we have with our dogs. We have to spell out lots of words because her understanding of so many words astounds us ( and she’s not from a breed renowned for it’s intelligence!).

It’s a great shame when irresponsible owners cause others to hate all dogs, but would some hate dogs anyway? I’m a responsible owner but I can’t imagine Lucky or Kate liking my well controlled dog. Some people just don’t like dogs. I get that. I don’t like some people.

jody our dog warden ceased existing years ago NOT everywhere is like where you live

Ok and please UNDERSTAND I m NOT a dog hater but do see the downside sometimes to all the perfect dogs that dog lovers only see

The other day we went for a sea dip leaving our clothes on the beach as we came out there is a male dog cocking it’s leg on my friends coat The owners are miles away ( too far to get their attention) and they are happily in deep conversation

GSM you have hit the nail, on the head when you quote ‘responsible dog owners’ BUT this thread is NOT about responsible dog owners it’s about IRRESPONSIBLE dog owners

Can’t everyone see the difference ?

Lucky
It’s certainly not like that where I live, nor have I ever encountered what you describe anywhere that I’ve lived. It’s natural for a dog to bark when you walk past their house, they’re protecting their territory and warning you not to come in. You pass by and all’s well. Responsible dog owners have their premises securely fenced and before I’ve adopted rescue dogs the fences have been inspected for height and strength.
Obviously there are some irresponsible owners where you live who allow their dogs to be off the lead where people are present. Not something I approve of no matter how well trained the dog is.
To say that training dogs to behave contrary to their natural instincts is cruel shows that you don’t know much about them. Dogs love to please, whether they are pets or working dogs. It’s very clear that you hate dogs and would be much happier if they were all rounded up and disposed of.

I live in the Dales and we have many, many dog walkers around here, particulary at the back of my house where it leads onto a path down into a beautiful wood. All the dogs are well looked after by responsible owners, controlled and socialised and obviously well loved. I have never seen anything untoward at all. It is a joy to take my dog for a walk and meet these people.
In fact, tbh, I have never experienced all these so called dogs that are dangerous and I have had dogs all my life.
I realise that there is an exception and to live amongst what "Luckygirl" is describing, it sounds like a nightmare. Is it honestly as bad as that? If so, then a Dog Warden via the Council, needs to be brought in to bring some order into the situation.

Where have you been all your life?! They are everywhere round here. A walk in the woods is a pain in the neck - dogs are everywhere - uncontrolled. It is an obstacle course battling with one dog after another.

Goodness all these fierce dogs!! You certainly are very unlucky Luckygirl 13! I Have to confess that I have rarely come across dogs as you describe in all my life. But then I am a dog lover so perhaps see them in a different light.

Works both ways Blondiescot and GSM

I think we've got it! Dogs in the hands of decent people who train them to do their bidding and keep them under control and make sure they do not follow their natural instincts are what we need.

An aside ...... is that what the dog needs?

However, moving on ...... it would be great if lots of people were decent and did lots of good things, but we are dealing here with human nature, and human imperfections are the order of the day. The presence of so many dogs in the hands of those who do not approach this task with integrity causes an immense amount of trouble and misery for the rest of the population, both dog owners and not. And danger.

Trying to exert some sort of control over the vast numbers of dogs that now exist in the UK is a mammoth task, but something needs to happen - it is out of control.

It is very important that those who buy a dog that kills or maims a human being should face the full force of the law, even if, sadly, the victim is their own child. Even some attempt at deterrence is better than nothing.

Let me outline a fairly typical walk from my home to the village common: firstly I set off up the road, and alongside me behind a fence is a dog who growls fiercely and loudly as it follows me along by my side. What would happen if it breached the fence I dread to think. It is very disconcerting. I then get further up the village where a lady has 3 little yappy jobs - they yap and yap at max volume both before I get anywhere near their garden and for a long distance after I have passed - and the general chaos is compounded by their owner who shouts at them to be quiet - they of course take no notice and she is just adding to the noise. On arrival at the common there are often several dogs, one in particular, who is very large, whose owner watches it dash up to people barking and growling, and the owner just wanders off taking not a blind bit of notice and making no attempt to stop it. I am very unstable on my feet (and have osteopororis - if I fell I would break something - I am good at that) so I make a triangular base with my feet apart and my stick and stand still till it gets bored and goes away - should I have to do this? I am in a public place, not on the dog's territory - I am just walking along minding my own business. And then there is the frequent arrival of the terrier off its lead who slaughters anything in sight - last time it was a squirrel - a bit of nature red in tooth and claw to enhance my walk.

I am not happy with any of this. Why should I be?

Aren’t they just.

Some people are like a dog with a bone on here...(and yes, pun fully intended!)

Me too Jaberwok. My husband has also been told that someone thought he was 'a decent bloke' until he said he didn't like dogs.
Obviously he's not a 'decent bloke'. He's only kind, caring, wouldn't kill or harm any living thing and went through pain, discomfort and inconvenience to donate his bone marrow to try to save the life of a stranger in another country. Dreadful man.

As well as a beautiful cocker spaniel we also have an Exmoor pony who is 18 years old . Over the years he has given us so much pleasure, both riding and driving. Now he just loafs around his paddock which abuts our country road. People walk their dogs mostly off the lead and on more than one occasion a dog has jumped the wall into our field. I have been assured numerous times that said dog is 'fine around horses!!' Reply? 'Well ok, but what if pony isn't alright around your dog?! Have you thought what damage those hooves could do?' Again people will feed him despite notices asking them not to. On pointing this out, I've been assured that what is being offered isn't poisonous and the children love to give him tit bits! Not the point!!! You should never feed another persons animal without asking. Sometimes people are so stupid, it makes you despair!