Dog owners who think their four-legged bundle of teeth and crazy should be allowed to do whatever it pleases, regardless of the consequences. Where did this sense of entitlement come from? Because when last I looked, unless your dog behaves IMPECCABLY when off the leash, it can be reported as being dangerously out of control. Yesterday, a large excitable spaniel off the leash on a pathway jumped up at Jake and barked in his face. He is terrified of dogs anywau and this made him stagger back and scream - autism or not, any child would be freaked by a dog rushing at them and barking. The owner had a go at my son and stormed off with her dog. I mean, what the hell?? I get it if the animal is provoked or feels threatened but IT ran up to Jake, not the other way around. And the owner seemed to think we were at fault for not doing something about it.
And yet today, another dog owner with her labrador on a leash walked past Jake, saw he was frightened and actually offered to make her dog lie down on the wet pavement until Jake was calm. Now of course I didn't take her up on her kind offer but the point is, she kept her dog under control in a public place and showed consideration.
Goes to show it obviously is not that hard to do...
Man, some people! That first owner is a bloody idiot, plain and simple; the proper thing for him to do would be to
apologize to you and your son for what he allowed his dog to do, not blame either of you for your completely rational reaction to the situation.
The second dog owner got it right.
In addition to this complaint, here's from the opposite side of the spectrum; having someone approach your dog and try to pet it without first consulting you. I had this happen, and my dog (who has been dead for nearly six years, at this point) reacted defensively, almost biting the person in question.
A grown man, by the way; just walking by, didn't even say hi first or anything. If he had, I would have reined her in, and let him know she was very protective of me, especially when it came to men (I actually have no idea why that was; I'd had her from a pup).
Said man had the nerve to look at me like
I was in the wrong. Luckily, my dog adored kids. Again another mystery to me, but never was she more gentle, than when children were around.
All this being said? I never let her run off leash in public areas; no matter how well-mannered a dog may or may not be, it's better for the owner not to take chances; both for the sake of anyone who might get hurt by the animal, and for the animal, itself.