# People objecting to your dog just being near them **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 21, 2011, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-objecting-to-your-dog-just-being-near-them/572132 "2011-02-21T17:59:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2011, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-objecting-to-your-dog-just-being-near-them/572132/21 "2011-02-21T20:03:23Z")
> [@SciFiSam](#): > > Lots of the people around here are terrified of my dog, a 6 month old Jack Russell puppy. > > An acquaintance from Bangladesh explained that part of the reason is that dogs in his country of origin run wild and aren’t friendly, so people immigrating from there quite naturally don’t react to dogs here in a welcoming way, and they pass it on to their children - there’s a very high percentage of Bangladeshi families around here. > > Quite a few of the non-Bangladeshi people I pass react in fear to my dog too - there’s one woman who screams and swears really loudly if the dog goes within ten feet of her. Sometimes she says she’ll call the police. It wasn’t germaine to the OP, but I too have noticed this reaction to dogs among the large # of people from India/Bangladesh who lived in our apartment complex - not a single one of them were dog friendly and the kids would occasionally start crying merely upon seeing the dog. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2011, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-objecting-to-your-dog-just-being-near-them/572132/22 "2011-02-21T20:06:45Z")
> [@Isabel8](#): > > A 22 lb dog is plenty big enough to bite or frighten a baby. The dog probably weighs more than the baby does. Try to imagine a beast the same size & weight as you, coming towards you while you’re strapped into a chair and unable to get away. If I was that mother, I’d have picked up my baby too. Yes, but my dog was leashed. There was no danger at all. The baby was a newborn and had no idea what was going on 3 feet away from it, much less what was approaching down the street. The bus is heavier than my dog, but I don’t think the woman reacted in fear seeing a 20,000 pound vehicle approach her (and the precious baby) @ 20mph. :rolleyes: (FYI, in regards to my other post, the mom was definitely from India/Bangladesh). ---
**Author:** ![Vihaga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Vihaga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vihaga)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2011, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-objecting-to-your-dog-just-being-near-them/572132/23 "2011-02-21T20:28:19Z")
> [@Disheavel](#): > > I wouldn’t have sworn at you, rather stated my [right](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-defence_in_English_law) to defend myself from your dog the next time it happens. > > Yes, you’ve hit a strong nerve in me on this one so for your own sake. You do realize that the OP stated that the dog was off-leash in an area where that was permitted AND that the dog didn’t approach the fearful woman, correct? So, in what way did the woman need to defend herself from anything? ---
**Author:** ![Nawth\_Chucka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c57346/32.png) [@Nawth\_Chucka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nawth_Chucka)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2011, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-objecting-to-your-dog-just-being-near-them/572132/24 "2011-02-21T20:38:15Z")
> [@SciFiSam](#): > > Lots of the people around here are terrified of my dog, a 6 month old Jack Russell puppy. > > An acquaintance from Bangladesh explained that part of the reason is that dogs in his country of origin run wild and aren’t friendly, so people immigrating from there quite naturally don’t react to dogs here in a welcoming way, and they pass it on to their children - there’s a very high percentage of Bangladeshi families around here. > > Quite a few of the non-Bangladeshi people I pass react in fear to my dog too - there’s one woman who screams and swears really loudly if the dog goes within ten feet of her. Sometimes she says she’ll call the police. > > It’s getting weirder and weirder. There’s one building I avoid passing because someone there always shouts ‘dirty dog!’ in the voice of a muppet and throws things at us. One of the local caretakers has chosen to ban dogs from a stretch of grass that’s supposed to be a dog park. And the majority of the mothers I see pull their children away from my dog and, if possible, cross to the other side of the road. > > This is all when the dog’s on the lead and just bouncing along happily sniffing at the world around her. It actually gets me down a fair bit to have such a huge number of people react with hatred to her. > > Anyway, if it’s a place where people can reasonably expect dogs to roam free, then no, they’re not in the right to tell you to get their dog away when the dog goes near them, though it’s fair enough to make sure your dog doesn’t jump up at them or sniff them unless they show that they want it. > > Being sworn at like that wouldn’t have encouraged me to accede to his wishes either. That’s a shame, and I can only suggest that I’ve never seen anyone be afraid of a dog dressed as a clown or a ladybug or a dragon. Maybe make the situation absurd and they’ll see the goggie’s cool. Extra points if you wear a matching outfit and post pictures for us to see. ---
**Author:** ![SciFiSam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/47e85d/32.png) [@SciFiSam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SciFiSam)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2011, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-objecting-to-your-dog-just-being-near-them/572132/25 "2011-02-21T20:40:38Z")
> [@Disheavel](#): > > This is the reason that I love dogs but despise dog owners- they are the cruelest people on the planet. Dogs are not meant to live in apartments and only walk on concrete. If you don’t have enough room for the dog to be a dog, don’t buy a dog. What is the point of owning a dog in that situation, selfishness? self gratification? Buy a hamster for goodness sake! The dog owners then take their dog outside and the lazy twits haven’t trained the dog to leave people alone and to heel and to obey commands. > > I wouldn’t have sworn at you, rather stated my [right](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-defence_in_English_law) to defend myself from your dog the next time it happens. > > Yes, you’ve hit a strong nerve in me on this one so for your own sake. WTF? Do you think all dog owners should have country parks and packs of dogs? Because taking your dog to the park is about providing them with a larger space than most people with gardens have and letting them have a wander round the outside world - they get bored otherwise - and meet other dogs. Even the Royal family walk their dogs in parks and they’re not exactly lacking in private open space. I don’t think ‘self defence’ would apply to you attacking a dog that walked _near_ you. Hmm. You don’t happen to live in Bethnal Green, do you? ---
**Author:** ![SciFiSam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/47e85d/32.png) [@SciFiSam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SciFiSam)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2011, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-objecting-to-your-dog-just-being-near-them/572132/26 "2011-02-21T20:43:47Z")
> [@Nawth\_Chucka](#): > > That’s a shame, and I can only suggest that I’ve never seen anyone be afraid of a dog dressed as a clown or a ladybug or a dragon. Maybe make the situation absurd and they’ll see the goggie’s cool. Extra points if you wear a matching outfit and post pictures for us to see. Heh. That would actually be an interesting experiment. I have taken her out in a Santa suit (on Christmas Day) and got totally ignored, which is an improvement. ---
**Author:** ![Contrapuntal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e274bd/32.png) [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2011, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-objecting-to-your-dog-just-being-near-them/572132/27 "2011-02-21T20:48:37Z")
> [@Disheavel](#): > > I wouldn’t have sworn at you, rather stated my [right](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-defence_in_English_law) to defend myself from your dog the Exactly how would your physical integrity have been in jeopardy? What crime would have been imminent? ---
**Author:** ![FloatyGimpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/floatygimpy/32/7750_2.png) [@FloatyGimpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FloatyGimpy)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2011, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-objecting-to-your-dog-just-being-near-them/572132/28 "2011-02-21T20:49:12Z")
I find some of the attitudes in this thread completely unrelatable. “I have the RIGHT to defend myself against your puppy, who is totally ignoring me!!” “A tiny, leashed dog is coming this way, grab the children!!!” ---
**Author:** ![Disheavel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e274bd/32.png) [@Disheavel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Disheavel)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2011, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-objecting-to-your-dog-just-being-near-them/572132/29 "2011-02-21T20:51:09Z")
I will back off of my strong statement a bit upon rereading a bit. If a dog is walking near me, no I do not feel threatened and wouldn’t react as such, but if a dog is walking, running, or aiming toward me, I have every right to defend myself. I don’t view dogs as predictable as a 20,000 pound bus. But my bigger point to **SciFiSam** is that you shouldn’t own a dog in that situation. No there shouldn’t be packs of dogs in a city, I totally agree. If one so desperately needs a dog to live their lives happily, they should move out to the country or to a location where they are able to give their dog the life it deserves. ---
**Author:** ![Nawth\_Chucka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c57346/32.png) [@Nawth\_Chucka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nawth_Chucka)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2011, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-objecting-to-your-dog-just-being-near-them/572132/30 "2011-02-21T21:00:28Z")
> [@SciFiSam](#): > > Heh. That would actually be an interesting experiment. I have taken her out in a Santa suit (on Christmas Day) and got totally ignored, which is an improvement. Who could resist a [smile](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2114/1701195351_2b0a97b69a.jpg)? Hello [Gorgeous](http://lh6.ggpht.com/_yq_UwuN3NkE/SiK3hVMaKEI/AAAAAAAAAuE/OhMRj1jADw0/42-21955638.jpg)! ---
**Author:** ![SciFiSam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/47e85d/32.png) [@SciFiSam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SciFiSam)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2011, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-objecting-to-your-dog-just-being-near-them/572132/31 "2011-02-21T21:00:54Z")
> [@Disheavel](#): > > I will back off of my strong statement a bit upon rereading a bit. If a dog is walking near me, no I do not feel threatened and wouldn’t react as such, but if a dog is walking, running, or aiming toward me, I have every right to defend myself. I don’t view dogs as predictable as a 20,000 pound bus. > > But my bigger point to **SciFiSam** is that you shouldn’t own a dog in that situation. No there shouldn’t be packs of dogs in a city, I totally agree. If one so desperately needs a dog to live their lives happily, they should move out to the country or to a location where they are able to give their dog the life it deserves. You definitely have the right to defend yourself, and owners definitely should train their dogs not to harass strangers. However, hitting out at a dog that’s just being friendly might have the effect of turning into the biting dog you’re afraid of. What situation shouldn’t you own a dog in? Dogs aren’t wild animals, you know; they are perfectly happy living in a city or suburb where they get regular walks. Like I said, even the royal family take their dogs for walks. You’re basically proposing that nobody ever own a dog again. ---
**Author:** ![EmAnJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d2c977/32.png) [@EmAnJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmAnJ)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2011, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-objecting-to-your-dog-just-being-near-them/572132/32 "2011-02-21T21:00:56Z")
> [@Disheavel](#): > > I will back off of my strong statement a bit upon rereading a bit. If a dog is walking near me, no I do not feel threatened and wouldn’t react as such, but if a dog is walking, running, or aiming toward me, I have every right to defend myself. I don’t view dogs as predictable as a 20,000 pound bus. > > But my bigger point to **SciFiSam** is that you shouldn’t own a dog in that situation. No there shouldn’t be packs of dogs in a city, I totally agree. If one so desperately needs a dog to live their lives happily, they should move out to the country or to a location where they are able to give their dog the life it deserves. Hopefully you don’t have ANY pets (unless you live on a farm in the country, of course), considering they all ‘deserve’ the ability to roam free according to your logic. Do you share this sentiment with any friends or family that have cats, hamsters or birds? ---
**Author:** ![Contrapuntal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e274bd/32.png) [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2011, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-objecting-to-your-dog-just-being-near-them/572132/33 "2011-02-21T21:01:54Z")
> [@Disheavel](#): > > I will back off of my strong statement a bit upon rereading a bit. If a dog is walking near me, no I do not feel threatened and wouldn’t react as such, but if a dog is walking, running, or aiming toward me, I have every right to defend myself. From what, exactly? Doesn’t one actually have to be in jeopardy for the need for self defense to arise? Where is the threat in a dog walking toward you? ---
**Author:** ![breaking-reality](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a8b319/32.png) [@breaking-reality](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/breaking-reality)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2011, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-objecting-to-your-dog-just-being-near-them/572132/34 "2011-02-21T21:02:20Z")
If the dog were required to wear a leash, I still would have said the man was overreacting and rude, but I would have leashed my dog. Given that it’s not required, I would just ignore him. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2011, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-objecting-to-your-dog-just-being-near-them/572132/35 "2011-02-21T21:04:01Z")
The man grew upset, not at the dog, but because he now has to listen to his wife bitch for the next 5 hours - 2 weeks about this. I’d curse too. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![lisacurl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/41988e/32.png) [@lisacurl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lisacurl)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2011, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-objecting-to-your-dog-just-being-near-them/572132/36 "2011-02-22T00:25:30Z")
Maybe he should train her better or make sure she gets more exercise. He really shouldn’t have a wife in the city, cramped up in an apartment, unable to roam free. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2011, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-objecting-to-your-dog-just-being-near-them/572132/37 "2011-02-22T00:33:51Z")
> [@Candyman74](#): > > Just to clarify, since several people brought it up - dogs are permitted off-leash in this area (one of the few areas nearby that this is possible - without this area, a lot of dogs would have VERY miserable lives), and there are dozens of them there at any time doing just that. It’s 3-miles long, so one isn’t crammed in with a few dozen dogs in a small area, but you’ll meet one as you walk along every minute or so at least. We do not have dedicated “dog parks” in the UK to my knowledge - at least not one in my city that I know if, but there are areas that dogs are allowed off-leash and areas that they are not. This is the former. > > Clearly the issue here was that the wife had some kind of phobia regarding dogs - she was clearly panicked by its very presence. I found it odd that she was willingly walking through a very dog-heavy area, but she’s got the right to do so. What I objected to was the vitriol directed at us by her husband. While I don’t mind accomodating a phobia that I know about, and it would have been a trifle to just walk the other way had I known, there was no way of knowing that the mere presence of a dog would upset them that much. > > To be clear - our dog did not touch them, look at them, acknowledge them - it merely happened to pass within 5 feet of them. And is very much not a scary looking dog (golden retriever puppies are pretty harmless looking). Based on this, I personally probably would have said “This is an off leash park, if you have a problem, call the cops” and gone on my merry way. The ‘correct’ way to handle it probably would have been to say “Sir, if your wife doesn’t like dogs, just ask us to move, but there’s no reason to swear at me” and maybe (nicely) add in "BTW this is an off leash park, you might want to find somewhere else to walk. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2011, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-objecting-to-your-dog-just-being-near-them/572132/38 "2011-02-22T00:43:47Z")
> [@Disheavel](#): > > I will back off of my strong statement a bit upon rereading a bit. If a dog is walking near me, no I do not feel threatened and wouldn’t react as such, but if a dog is walking, running, or aiming toward me, I have every right to defend myself. _Aiming_ towards you? Well, yes, I suppose if the dog has a gun, you’d be right to be concerned, but really, how often does that happen? Outside of Texas, I mean? ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2011, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-objecting-to-your-dog-just-being-near-them/572132/39 "2011-02-22T00:51:21Z")
> [@lisacurl](#): > > I assume people who overreact to my dog have been bitten or otherwise traumatized by a dog, so I do my best to cut them slack. Concur - if people react in a way that seems out of proportion with the actual problem, then it could be the result of bad experiences. I tend to be oversensitive of dogs approaching our group when we’re sat down for a picnic, but only because dogs tend to assume they’ve been invited to dine with us. On one occasion, a dog ate sausages right out of the pan I was frying them in. On more than one other occasion, dogs have strolled up and pissed on our bags, towels or other stuff, so I tend to shoo them away before they get close now - which I expect could be perceived as over-reaction by a dispassionate observer. ---
**Author:** ![Beware\_of\_Doug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/278dde/32.png) [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2011, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-objecting-to-your-dog-just-being-near-them/572132/40 "2011-02-22T02:41:39Z")
**Candyman** , you say you’re in a city. Many Jews choose to live in cities, and some Jewish families have maintained a tradition of aversion to dogs, which were sometimes used to harass Jews by local authorities. So, in addition to all the other possibilities, you might just have encountered a present day echo of that fear. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-objecting-to-your-dog-just-being-near-them/572132.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-objecting-to-your-dog-just-being-near-them/572132.md?page=3)