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

Alexa do love the word "galumphing*

Alexa

I met a huge dog today but it was immediately called to heel and the owner held on to its collar to allow me to pass.
Just as well, he had been in the river and was soaking wet.
A very well-trained dog and very beautiful so we stopped and had a chat (the owner and me).
It was a labradoodle, Alexa so perhaps the poodle part was better behaved!

Grandmafrench

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. ?

Well that’s overkill

I'm late here but I hope you are feeling better now. I'm not surprised that you screamed in panic; l think almost anyone would. As a dog owner, l keep my dog on a lead and, although I know he is friendly, not everyone likes dogs and many people are scared of them. I don't like strange dogs sniffing me either. You have had a horrible experience and probably suffered shock. The dog owner was totally at fault and his wretched animal disappearing should be the least of your worries. Had he been a decent human being he would have made sure that you were ok.

You have to have sustained se kind of quantifiable loss or damage to sue someone. Other than a few bruises does not appear harm was done. Unfortunate experience but life is not short of those lately.

Just see this post now and I am furious on your behalf!! As a dog owner myself I am so angry that that idiot blamed you for his own stupidity. If he cant control the dog it should have been on a lead. I wonder if you had been a 30 year old guy would he have spoken to you like that.

Would you consider a stick or a walking pole to boost your confidence?
I really hope that you feel better soon. Try not to let a freak accident and a rude moron dent your confidence. Easier said than done I know.

That was a nasty experience, Lavazza, and no, of course you aren’t being unreasonable. I can’t understand why anyone would blame you for shouting out when you’re suddenly bowled over, or make excuses for the dog’s owner, and it’s only by good luck that you weren’t physically hurt. Your confidence must have taken a knock, and I hope you manage to put this behind you quickly.

for you, kittye, and best wishes for a complete recovery.

Other than a few bruises does not appear harm was done.

No harm! This poor lady is nervous about going out - and who can blame her? Do you regard that as "no harm"?

If this had happened to me and I was knocked over, there would not be just a "few bruises" as I have extensive osteoporosis and would have likely broken a bone. This owner's dog could easily have caused serious harm; and could go on to do so. Anything that can be done to prevent that should be done.

I hope you're feeling better now, Lavazza.
Another thought, if anyone is actually bitten in a dog attack, is there a law here that the dog owner has to get the dog tested by a vet for rabies pdq? There is in France.

The UK’s rabies free, Fennel. Certainly as far as dogs are concerned.

So many deleted posts! It is difficult to see what inspired that but if it was my post, let me say now, I don't think the Dog Owner was right in any way at all so I quite understand why Lavazza was upset and frightened. I do, however, think it is quite possible that the Dog Owner may have reacted in fright. It doesn't excuse his behaviour but without the adrenaline of "fright" colouring him, he probably isn't someone Lavazza has to worry about.
As for the "typical" dog owner, I really think there are some sweeping statements throughout the thread which I was addressing. Of course there are people who are feckless with their animals, who don't understand that they are not everybody's best friend and they drive me mad. However, I used to walk my dog with big groups of dog owners and most of us were embarrassed by the people who didn't/couldn't control their dogs and thought that people who complained about them were unreasonable.