anything I can do?

brokenlily

My dog who is not aggressive at all went near a child when we were out walking today. The child's father started shouting to get the dog away from the kid, he ran over and he kicked my dog, he caught his back leg. Dog is now limping, and I think I will have to take him to the vet to check he's ok.

I was with my mum and two friends. When I confronted him the guy shouted at me and said I shouldn't have the dog off the lead near children - I understand that some kids are scared of dogs, but it was a public footpath, by a river, no signs saying dogs had to be on a lead and there were literally loads of people out walking dogs off their leads there. My dog is a cross Rottie and I know to some people that might make them scared but surely there is no excuse to kick a dog when it hasn't done anything wrong? My friend took a photo of the guy on her phone while I was speaking to him.

If I have any vet costs to pay, is there any way that I can make this guy liable for the costs? I was thinking I would have to report it to the police?

scheming_gypsy

don't take your dog to the vet as it'll probably be ok in the morning.

It's a swings and roundabouts situation. You know your dog is ok and won't bite but he has to protect his kid. Even though you know your dog won't do anything to a child / adult / other dog, you have to act as though he will. Just because you know he won't doesn't mean everybody else won't so you need to keep your dog under 'control', make sure he's ok and learn from it. If he runs towards people when off the lead, call him back so you don't end up in the same situation again.

I'm not saying that because I think your dog will or might attack somebody, but because other people will just see a rotty cross heading towards their kid and go into protective mode.

Catmom

hi there, sorry to hear about the problems you have had - people can be so bigoted about certain breeds its ridiculous!!
Im not particularly a "dog person" as my name probably shows, but I cant abide ill treatment of any animal. AFAIK, the law of the land only requires a dog to wear a collar and tag in a public place - the requirement for a lead is only specifically if the dog is being walked in a field of livestock which doesnt belong to the dog owner. Any further restrictions would be in the form of a Bye-Law set by the local council, so you would have to check it out with them.
I would certainly be considering reporting this lowlife piece of scum to the police, especially as you have witnesses. As far as liability for Vets costs, sorry but I really dont know. Just like I dont know how this person can sleep at night after treating an animal like this :-(

winterwhite11

I would certainly be considering reporting this lowlife piece of scum to the police, QUOTE]

i think you should report him kicking your poor dog.
he sounds vile
i completly understand him worried about child but i would have picked child up not kick the dog
he must be a complete idiot kicking a big dog with child still on the floor,thats surely asking for troubles
it seems to me that he is one of those cruel thick people that you get
i hope he does not have any pets at home as i would not like being one of them if he comes home in a bad mood

shellsuit

Why didn't you call the dog away from the child?

And you don't know that your dog is not aggressive, all you know is that it hasn't been aggresive so far.

Money_maker

Dog should not have been kicked, could actually have provoked a response.

Having said that, my teenage DS is afraid of dogs and a cross rottie would have meant he may well have taken to the river in panic. This is something we are trying to address but many adults and children do have this dog 'fear'.

As a parent of a 3yo, I would also be concerned about your dog sniffing round us. Most owners keep their dogs close, to heel or under verbal control. One would assume that all dogs off lead are good natured anyway...

The father was wrong, being overprotective and aggressive although if the child were very small I could understand his distress. More to the point, you were in the wrong for allowing your dog to wander over to a child. Perhaps you will be more understanding in future.

gettingready

How far away from you was your dog at the time?

nonnatus

I have three small dogs but I'm afraid I take the side of the parent who kicked the dog. If you were paying attention, your dog shouldn't have been allowed to get within kicking distance of another family that don't know you or your "very gentle" dog. In a public place he should be on perfect recall if he is off the lead.

I come across the same thing time and again when walking my three on leads. Another (mostly large breed) dog will wander over to us to have a good sniff, which terrifies my nervous chap. The leads start getting tangled, big dog thinks its a game and I have often shoved hard at the offending animal whilst yelling at the owner who generally shrugs
"Oh, he/she's harmless, just saying hello, chuckle" :mad:
Well it's not harmless to me you arrogant moron (not you, OP!).

I understand you're worried about your dog but the fact is, if he was controlled he wouldn't have been hurt...

Croatoan

Don't agree with the kicking, but it's 2012 and having dogs off lead in a public place is just asking for trouble, imo. If you don't have instant recall - and 99% don't - then you and the dog are much safer being kept on a lead.

antw23uk

I think i would have kicked him, how dare he kick your animal. You shouldnt assume everyone is dog friendly, your dog should be by your side as you pass people so as much as im on your side i also think you were in the wrong for letting your dog approach a child.

Without know how well trained your dog is i can only say have a good recall and a good 'down' command. The 'down' command is invaluble in my opinion and recall isnt always safe but putting him in a 'down' wherever he is in the park etc can ensure he stops, stays safe and then you decide if its a recall or a go get him or just an 'ok' on you go, good lad.

Also people will always be complimentary if they see you shout 'down' and your dog hits the deck instantly

zaksmum

When a young lad kicked my dog hard for sniffing HIS dog, O/H grabbed him and knocked him over. Not something I'd condone, but it just shows how such a situation can spiral out of control.

Not many men will accept having their dog kicked for no reason.