peewee84

Oh dear - I'm not sure I should have posted this thread as all this talk of dogs attacks has made me worse Thanks for sharing all your advice and stories though. And I know that all areas have the potential for dogs attacks, but if I'm in a lower population area of people, I think I reduce the probability of something happening in comparison to a built-up area. I know risk cannot be completely eliminated but I can do something to help the odds I'm sure

Thank you I'll try xx I need Dave back... he just picked them up!

I'm so sorry to hear this Moonbird - sending love to you all and wishing you a quick recovery xx

Oh no!! What happened?? This is the PERFECT example of the exact point I was trying to make!! He is OK?? xx

You do sound respectful - and I think if you are confident about the friendliness of your dog because you know him, it's hard to put yourself in the position of the 4'11 woman walking a tiny yorkie and a pug that sees a large dog coming towards her, not knowing what it's like, and wondering what the hell is going to happen when the yorkie kicks off! I'm really making an effort with my lessons so I won't be as restricted and can travel like you say. Glad it's not just me - I honestly prepare myself for a fight as soon as I walk through the door. I tense up and my senses are on high alert - not what a dog walk should be like is it.. True! So does anyone want to come on a walk with me?? :hihi:

Is that Cat Lane Woods Evei? I do go in there sometimes but that's where I encountered the stalking lurcher and the very old woman walking a large young male dog off-lead - that time I put my dogs in a tree branch! In addition, those fields make me nervous because, although they can't see me, I can't see them coming either. I sometimes wish I had bigger dogs because I don't think I would be half as nervous. I never used to be like this, but as I've had more and more bad experiences, my anxiety has increased. The problem with meeting other dog walkers (and I have thought it would help too) is that I generally avoid them. My thinking at the minute is: what's the point in walking them if I'm not going to enjoy it because I'm on edge, so in turn they won't enjoy it, and so we may as well stay in where it's safe. I get annoyed with them if they take to long to turn a blind corner for example because I'm anxious to see if anything's coming! It rubs off on them

I don't really agree with that - I should be able to walk my dogs on-lead without being hassled or approached by other dogs off-lead. It's not that I can't stand to be near them - they intimidate me when I have my small dogs with me. And I have the right to walk my dogs without being I intimidated. If you have your dogs off-lead and they are trained to ignore other dogs or come when called that's fine, but if you are going to let your dogs approach people that don't know you or them from Adam, then IMO that's wrong and quite disrespectful of my personal space.

Have to agree, and I avoid it if I can. Its such a shame because we should all be able to use this lovely park without the fear of irresponsible, selfish dog owners and their unruly dogs

That's where I live!

I'm at work until 6:30 everyday so unfortunately its when everyone's walking their dogs

That sounds perfect and just what I need - is it expensive to live there? I don't drive yet but I'm doing lessons and I'm on a mission to pass by Christmas. My dogs aren't actually scared of other dogs - it's ME that's scared for their safety. To make it worse, the yorkie is very barky and would take anything on that came near me. If a bigger dog came and attacked them, I wouldn't be able to defend them very well as I'm only 4'11 and not very well built (though I'd die trying). For example, some idiot was walking behind me with a large young male staffie the other week and he could see I was nervous - so he followed me. I moved into a closed off area behind a gate and he started to taunt me saying "Don't your dogs want to play? Let me in and lets see what happens?" with a massive grin on his face. I was shaking from head to foot with my dogs in my arms. Then last week, some drunk man had a large bull mastiff off lead that chased my 7 year old sister (only wanting to play but she was terrified), put its paws on my mums shoulders to get her Shih Tzu which she had in her arms, and after a argument, poured a full bottle of beer over my 14 year old sister after she told him to put it on a lead. Maybe you get the idea of why I'm so nervous Those places are nicer but have a large dog population so not ideal for me. I just want to be left alone!

Glad its not just me then! My family say I worry too much and that I make them nervous too if they come walking with me, but I can't help it I'm actually terrified. Wish I had more dogs owners like you living near me!!

angel22 that sounds lovely I wish I could be that relaxed to let my little ones meet larger dogs, but I honestly don't think it's worth the risk. I know 99% of them probably wouldn't hurt them, but they are so small I'd rather not. If they ever got hurt I don't think I'd ever forgive myself. You hear horror stories all the time of small dogs being killed by larger ones - mine simply wouldn't survive an attack. And I must admit I don't trust other dog owners when they say their dog is friendly whilst it bounds up to me - I'll be the one to decide that thanks - meanwhile put your dog on a lead please etc etc Posiepaws I'll look into that area right away

Hi there, I'm considering moving out of my area (S2) simply because I don't feel safe walking my 2 very small dogs around there on my own. Firstly, there are always shifty characters (usually lone men) hanging around which puts me on edge, but mainly it's the idiots with large, off-lead dogs that are all over the place. I've tried avoiding areas where they tend to be but, as people and dogs generally aren't stationary, they are everywhere. A number of incidents have happened since moving there to be closer to family earlier this year, and its getting to the point where I'm too nervous to take them out. The dogs generally tend to be bull breeds - which is not the problem -its the irresponsible idiots in control of them (or not, as seems to be the case) that worries me. If you own a large, powerful dog then you need to be in control of it at all times. It should be well socialised and trained - concepts that are alien to these chavs. Don't get me wrong, a couple of incidents have occurred with other members of the public too - such as old woman that could barely walk with a young, off -lead, black lab that ran towards me. Or the guy with a lurcher that stalked and charged my dogs whilst off lead, which proceeded to growl at me when I told it to go away, all the while it's owner shouting "It's friendly!" I just want a place where I can walk my dogs in a relaxed environment, in an area that has a low dog population or around other responsible dog owners, where I'm going to feel safe. I know that you will get irresponsible dog owners everywhere, but I do believe that some areas are better than others and are less densely populated. Ideally, I'd go and live in the countryside away from everyone, but that's not feasible just yet.... So what would you say is a good area to live in for dog owners?

Sorry but I have to disagree. Kids learn from their parents what inappropriate behaviour is, so if they don't tell them, how are they supposed to know? And I don't see why the rest of society has to suffer these brats until "they decide themselves what appropriate behaviour is "

I'd be in that café like a shot - on a regular basis. Had too many meals spoiled by screaming brats and parents that think that everyone around them loves their kids as much as they do. It may also be a tactical move by the owner as it's quite possible they have lost custom BECAUSE of screaming kids and their parents. Better to lose the screaming kids' custom than that of people that want to just have a pleasant lunch surely..

Great post - think that summarises what everyone else is thinking. And I pray to god it's not a staffie....

I had a massive debate with myself on whether to let my Siamese out. She loves the outdoors and in the end, I couldn't justify keeping her cooped up all the time, especially when I'm out at work for 12 hours a day. She shouldn't be denied something she loves and that is natural to her just because of the way she looks. I'm aware of the dangers cats face in general, added to the fact she might get taken, so I came to a compromise; she only goes out when I'm in and she sleeps indoors at night. This works for us - though I'm now known as the crazy cat woman that chases her cat around the streets at around 9:30 every night to get her in. I usually have to rope my sister in too so we can work as a tag team. That cat takes the p*** out of me

This isn't him is it? http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=1210852

You have just answered for me Nimrod - though I'm also looking at it from the point of view of the animal, because it won't just be the owner that suffers.

Here... because if you (or the state) don't pay for them (through benefits) then who will if the owners don't have any other income?

I completely understand your frustration because I'm the worst for getting annoyed about the fact that I'm up at 5:30am daily to go out to work for 12 hours a day, whilst other people live off the state and go out and buy things that I can't afford to buy - with the money that I pay to the state!! I agree that children and pets are a luxury and should only be taken on when you can afford to support them yourself. However, what I DON'T agree with is the attitude that people should "get rid". It's not as simple as that. Animals are living, breathing, feeling things are NOT DISPOSABLE. And the attitude that people see them as disposable possessions makes my blood boil. The fact that you would be willing to let an animal starve for doing absolutely nothing wrong yet you would happily feed and clothe a lazy, layabout scumbag is quite alien to me. Obviously I know that not all people on benefits are like this and some are 110% genuine that are using the system exactly how it should be used - when they have fallen on hard times and are trying to get back on their feet. I'd be happy to feed them AND their pets.

A question - where exactly do you think the pets will go when they "get rid"? To rescues right? Do you have any idea how many dogs get put down on a daily basis because rescue centres don't have the space for them all? And then people like me who have a full time, paid job run around in their spare time trying to save these poor creatures. Is there ANY thought whatsoever for the animals when you make flippant comments about "getting rid"? Why should the animals have to suffer and be taken out of their loving home because of a problem that humans have created? They didn't ask to be born and have done nothing wrong yet, as usual, they're always the ones to suffer first. I suggest you look further into the subject of animal welfare before you comment further on this thread. Like. What if you have kids then lose your job? Do you take them to an orphanage? No. So don't expect people to do that to their pets either. Some people love their pets like children - in fact, I choose to have pets rather then kids - much more pleasant

I know this may be a controversial opinion but my advice is leave her to it. You can't help somebody who doesn't want help, and at what point does the woman start to take some responsibility for what is happening to her by staying with him? I know there are the usual arguments of low self-esteem, can't see a way out, etc but there is ALWAYS a way out. Either through family or a help organisation. There are enough of them these days with the resources to help women SHOULD they want to get out. I witnessed my dad beating my mum from the day I was born, me and sisters went through hell, and I hold my mum partly responsible for that because she stayed. I remember as a small child begging her to leave, asking her to promise me that it wouldn't happen again...and it always did. Now obviously my dad was the reason it happened (and I blame him mostly obviously) but I hold my mum partly responsible because she carried on allowing it to happen. On top of that, she moved straight into another abusive relationship, albeit emotionally, and is still married to the man today. She puts him and her needs before us with him too.

Oh hi!! Thanks so much for doing this! Glad to say she got back fine