Crazy dog haters on the loose in SE London

[monster74]

In the last 2 weeks I've had 5 separate run ins with people in regard of my doggy. Now I'd be the first to admit izzy really is enthusiastic about life. Floppy ears and sloppy Tongue and super eager to great everyone as if it's the first time shes seen a human. But today took the biscuit, 3 teenager boys in the park where tormenting izzy and daring each to kick her in the head, they said it didn't matter as she was only with some woman makes me so sad. It's starting to make me worried every-time I walk her incase I have a run in with someone :/

Hope your all well?

Natsx

[jerryrm]

Nats, is pepper spray or mace, legal to carry in London ?? If so, then maybe you should get some, as pepper spray is a very effective non lethal defensive weapon. If they treat your dog that way and show no respect for you, it makes me wonder what else they might be capable of. >

[monster74]

No unfortunately we're not allowed to carry anything like that. Just the whole things left me feeling vunrable. I really enjoy walking her but these type of events are starting to put me off. Same thing happens when I drive all the road rages come outta there shells lol but that's another story

Natsx

[jerryrm]

I know, the nuts are taking over here too. Pepper spray is legal in RI, so I carry some when I'm in the woods, not so much for people, but for some of the animals that roam around out there.

[Perpetua]

That's awful Nats, very worrying as well . . . dogs in the UK, seem to be having a very difficult time of things in general, with the number now being left at Rescue Centres rising at an alarming rate.

I think I heard a report the other day, that said in the SW the number had doubled this last year.

[Lilac]

I'm totally disgusted, reading that, Nats...pepper spray is the very least i'd like to do to them...

is she off lead & jumping on people tho? I don't mind being jumped on by an enthusiastic licky doggy, but a lot of people do, you might have to consider one of those long training leads for her own safety...

I remember Murphy (my pug) ran up to a horse on the beach one day, the woman with the horse suggested i get him away asap, as the horse kicks dogs who annoy him...that was the fastest i've run in my life, cos a kick from that horse would've killed the wee mite, i keep him on a retractable lead now, unless in a wide open space with no one around

[Deleted]

There really are some idiots around eh, I've only lived in London for 2 years and I really can't wait to get out.

[monster74]

She was off the lead, but on this occassion was only sniffing round where they where sat. In the last couple of weeks I've had about 5 runins with people. I think your right about a retractable lead, for her safety aswell as my own. Just makes me sad. She's such a silly little thing, the worse she'd do to someone is enthusiticly lick them to death

Fingers and paws crossed today is a better day

Natsx

[Scylla]

Am really sick to hear about those yobs, Nats. What a shame to have to put a dog on a lead in a park area when it's their only chance to run free and explore

I wonder if they were just trying to wind you up? But you can't take that chance.

OMG I've been reminded of some of the vile cruelty meted out to dogs and other animals, need to be distracted pronto.

scylla

[lynwlt]

Another point of view..
I'm a dog owner/lover and Mungo is pretty well trained.
My sister however, through no fault of her own, is terrified of dogs off lead.
She is barely ok with Mungo in the house.
It's never safe to assume that your happy people loving dog isn't going to freak out someone who is dog-averse.
Mungo has some great runs off lead but only if I know there is no one around who might be scared by him.
It might be worth getting together with some other dog walkers and walking together.
We had a very sad event here with a dog on a retractable lead where the little dog was walking along the road with his owner, saw something on the other side of the road that interested him, and ran in front of a car. The lead retractor had failed. Doggie was killed.
Use a long line rather than a retractable lead, then you have much more control.
In your situation, I would have felt compelled to let the little gits feel the weight of the brick in my handbag around their ears.

Lynda