Just taken hounds out and Murray went up to a man to say hello - the man lifted his stick to Murray and said that if I didnt get 'that b****y animal under control he would hit him with his stick He also called me a 'thick c**t'. Why are people so full of anger these days?

I will not repeat my reply.... I am so mad!

Murray came back to me as soon as I called him and we just all went back home as we were quite shaken

It's horrible when you are subjected to that sort of treatment. Just be glad your not that angry person - what a miserable existence they must have.

I totally agree having had this sort of problem with many people when Ben was younger and even today sometimes. I have been over Cannock Chase walking for 3 hours in winter and not seen a soul to be suddenly confronted by a cyclist saying get that b***dy dog on a lead.

I always explain that dogs were on this planet before humans and in my view have just as much right to be out as them, if not more. I've also been assaulted while stopping someone from hitting him with a stick.

What an awful experience for you both.
He must have a very empty life. Look at it as another chance for you to show who is the better person lol

Wow..how horrible, both for you and your dog. Hounds are sensitive creatures and I think they can feel that kind of hostility. He must be a very very unhappy person. Quite sad...esp this time of year.All anyone can do is either ignore it or wish him/her a pleasant day and be on your way.
Glad I've been so lucky...only once when visiting a hospital with a Borzoi did an elderly man ...who had a reputation with the staff for his hostility become an issue, but the Borzoi was able to reach him...such a site to behold.

Some people do have what I think would be, an empty life. But maybe he had been attacked by large dogs previously or had been knocked down which causes his instant hostile reaction. For some people. a knee jerk reaction is their way of protecting themselves.
I don't agree with it but then I'm not frightened by dogs which fortunately for me, enrich my life.

Good point

Yeah but even so he didn't have to resort to being so abusive - now I hope a big dog DOES knock him down - give him something to moan about

Sorry to hear about your incident, there was no need for what he said or did. Although, I have sworn (under my breath) at some really stupid dog owners in my time. I always try to keep my dogs under control and always call them to heel when I see other people and/or dogs, even though both of mine are very friendly to both people and other dogs. It really pi**es me off when I have my dogs on the lead and others just let theres come bounding over to start a fight. I hear claims of "don't worry he is not vicious" , followed by the dog snarling and snapping at my boys.

I completely understand that dogs will be dogs and you will always get the friendly ones who run over and put big muddy foot prints on your chest , but it really gets my goat that owners either stare at you in disbelief or just completely ignore you when you have asked them to put their dog on a lead cos it's hassling your own dogs.

<rant over>

Yes, it makes me mad when people react badly to a dog. I always try to put mine on a lead when other dogs appear. The worst thing is an irresponsible owner that thinks their dog can walk off lead and even approach you directly. They forget that these furry animals are wolfs in disguise.
I have also been aware of people out running who have been attacked by a dog so there is often some basis for peoples reticence.

Recently I was walking my Tara near a bakers factory, she was off lead as I was trying to get two others onto leads. There was a very dark skinned man from the bakers trying to empty rubbish into a skip. Placid Tara approached to examine the strange being dressed in bakers net cap and blue overalls. I have never seen someone off-load rubbish into a skip so quick. He was obviously shaken however I did make considerable attempts to ensure he was OK despite his fright.

Tara of course having made necessary enquiries satisfied herself there was no food available and trotted onwards.

Happy dog walking in the future.

Regards

Brian Seamens

We were walking Mack and Daisy on a secluded beach but saw a couple with some pugs. We put our two on the lead and the lady picked up her two dogs. As we got near she said "let's even this out a bit" then she put hers on the ground and they literally terrorized poor Daisy who was just 5 months, she at that point was quite big but still a puppy. They were jumping up and barking at her. I was really cross.

I find that people with larger dogs tend to take more care over training and restraining dogs. Sometimes at shows the little dogs jump up growl etc but the deerhounds are expected to behave impeccably (which they invariably do )

Just read all the above with interest. Ys, do agree, hope the old git does get knocked over after his abuse, BUT, we must all remember, not everyone likes dogs, some people are terrified of them. I must admit I dont like big dogs charging up to me, especially German Shepherds, a leggy Bull Terrier shot across the road yesterday outside my daughters place to come over and say hello to our Border Terrier bitch puppy, who promptly told her off! He had no control over that dog what so ever, there could have been a car coming, why they have to walk off lead on roadways is beyond me.

We all must be aware that these are big beasts of dogs and will scare people, but if you are out in an open field there isn't alot you can do, Murphy likes to go over and say hello, he does so with a bounce in his stride as if to say look at me! Stroke me! Luckily most of the golfers now know him.

Other dogs will go for Deerhounds, weve already had this discussion, some have thought it is because they look submissive with the arched back and tail between their legs, I personally think they are warning them first, most smaller dogs haven't seen a giant breed before, but also remember, dont get the hump if another dog has a grumble at your dog, they are animals after all, it is animal behaviour, you dont always like who you meet! I have heard of women arguing like mad in local parks because one dog has had a go at another, if we're talking pit bull, off lead chasing someones fluffy little thing then fair enough, but some of the most common pet dogs are nown to be a bit tetchy, dogs will be dogs!

Hopefully you don't bump into misery guts again, he is a bit shallow, but then again, being terrified of spiders I can understnd peoples fears!

I keep Ben on a lead when out where there are likely to be people and dogs and only let him off when I am sure that nobody else will be and where I can see a long way in all directions. He seems happy with this as he’s now 4+ years and is becoming quite sedate to what he used to be like. He gets a good run at home as there’s a bit of land and a good 120-yard run from the house to the far end of a paddock.

Even when I’m out and obeying all the rules I have still had plenty of unpleasant experiences from other people who have not got their dogs on a lead and refuse to see why they should even when 5 of their dogs are surrounding Ben and myself and growling.

The worst experience that I’ve ever had was when entering a field through a gate, there was a man with a Collie growling at Ben, I explained that Collies and many Labradors seemed to dislike Ben and it would be best if he put his dog on a lead. He muttered that no dog would ever get the better of his dog but did put it on a lead. I entered the field with Ben on a lead and found that a lady friend of his had another dog that I could not see from outside the field. It was a Labrador and ran straight at Ben growling and attacked him. Ben just pinned it down on the ground, the owner started to punch Ben in the face, Ben then slipped his collar and pinned his dog down again. I struggled to get Ben’s lead back on and the man just kept punching him and pulling his dog out from under. I shouted that this was not the right approach and that we should pick the dogs back legs up and pull them apart. He didn’t listen and just kept punching Ben and through some punches at me when I tried to prevent him hitting Ben although I ducked and he missed. Eventually I got Ben away and his lead/collar back on. The man was saying that his dog was badly injured, but it was not. His lady friend was shouting that Ben was dangerous and was a threat to her children who she had with her.

Later that day a police officer came to my house and threatened to report Ben as a dangerous dog. I explained the situation as it happened and that Ben was on a lead and the other dog was not and attacked first. The police officer stated that the man and woman said Ben was not on lead and that they would testify so in court. I explained that the woman was not independent as I saw her regularly at his house and had seen her sunbathing half naked in his garden, she also seemed to stay with him on a regular basis. The police officer got angry at me contradicting his evidence and said that if I paid the other party’s vet bill that he would see that things went no further other wise it meant a court appearance and as I had no witness of my own I would risk my dog being destroyed. Although I felt that I wanted to fight this in a court I could not risk anything happening to my dog so agreed to pay the bill, which I did despite having a £100 bill of my own to treat Ben’s bloody eye. Later when the police officer brought the other party’s vet bill around for payment I noticed that he seemed embarrassed as he gave it to me. It stated “For treating a very small laceration” and not for Ben tearing his dog apart as stated previously. The police officer also said I should keep away from the man, I told him that he had threatened me with violence and the officer nodded in agreement as if he now realized the true situation. However I paid up as I did not want to risk a court appearance with Ben and with him and his witness who were both willing to perjure themselves in a court of law.

The moral of this story is, I think, that you just can’t be too careful when out with your hound, there are some very unpleasant people out there.

Thats awful Bob

chilliwoman wrote:


Yes I know and I still have nightmares about it although it happened 18 months ago. Just the thought that somebody telling lies can threaten your dogs existence is awful. The insurance company were willing to back me in court but if I lost against him and his witness the consequences were too apalling to consider.

You did the right thing. Luckily the man's greed for getting some cash overcame his urge to punish Ben. The new rules state that even if your dog just scares someone that is grounds for destroying an animal.

If I am walking alone with them I now never let them off the lead as I can't chance it which is a real shame for them. Dan does let them off so when we are all out together they get a run about.

Saying that Ban was on the lead and you still had problems. I wonder if the police person was a friend of that man's. Usually if you dog in on the lead that is the end of the investigation.

What an awful experience robb and very frightening.

How can people tell barefaced lies and live with themselves?

I am more than aware that some people dont like/or are scared of dogs and I had only just let Murray off his lead as I didnt think there was anyone about until he came over the brow of the hill. Murray didnt even rush over to the man - just casually sauntered over. The bit that I was upset about was the foul language he used towards me. He could have just said that he didnt like dogs and could I call Murray away. He did not have to call me what he did and I do think there is any excuse for that!

I really do not like a lot of people and much prefer the company of my dogs

houndy wrote:


Don't we ALL !!!!

Yes, all the best people have four legs, floppy ears and a long tail.lol...

I think its terrible that so many people are anti dog in this day and age. When I was in my teens a dog roaming on its own around the streets was perfectly natural, they often seemed to congregate in the park and although there was an occasional fight there was never a dog badly injured or attacking a person that I can remember. I know there have been some serious cases of an unattended dog attacking children in the media but I do not believe that this should have caused such a stigma for dogs as it has, things have just got totally out of proportion.

Although I know there are many people out there who love dogs I would certainly prefer a dogs company to all those others that are so dog unfriendly. Many dog owners seem to live in fear of meeting another dog which is such a shame as it doesn't allow dogs to socialise. When dogs meet they usually sort out the pecking order which may entail much noise and and some fur flying but after that they usually get along together just fine. It's a shame we don't have dog parks, like in America, where dogs can wander, off lead, in an area that non-dog lovers can avoid entering, and where dogs can learn to socialise with each other.