Bitten by a dog while running in a park

[Don_Pedro]

Need a bit of advise here. I was on my run through the local park yesterday and got bitten in my leg by a dog. When I spoke to the owner wanting to find out if the dog has been vaccinated, he became verbally and physically aggressive hurling all sort of insults towards me and spitting on me as well. I notified the police but when they showed up, the dog and its abusive owner were long gone. Then another hours wasted at a police station giving statement and at the clinic being patched up and checked for Tetanus antibodies

Any advise how to be safe on your run? there are obviously some very troubled souls out there who can act in unpredictable manner. Also dogs - have anybody had similar experience before? this really put me off running for now...

[roseabi]

I am so sorry you had this terrible experience, I hope you are OK and that you will start to feel better about this as soon as possible.

I also hope you are not put off running for long. It would make sense for you to take a little break, but don't give up on it!

It is unfortunate that there are sometimes difficult people out there, but please remember that most people are decent! It's a bit tricky at the moment with the pandemic restrictions, but if you can try and run in places where there are a fair number of other people running you should at least feel confident that there will be witnesses and kindred souls out there to help prevent trouble. If you ever again have to confront someone in the way you did it is much better to have some backup!

Dogs I think should always be treated with caution, as you can never be sure what they will do. I like dogs but I always keep my distance from them when I'm out running, particularly if they have been let off their leash.

All the best xxx

[Grannyhugs Graduate10]

Yikes poor you, I'm so sorry to hear that. I have a fear of dogs particularly while running. At the start of lockdown I had a few run ins with dog owners in our local woods. I always stopped and waited till dogs and owner passed but on numerous occasions the dogs were off the lead and ran up to me, asking owners to take the dogs away ended in verbal abuse. I completely stopped running in woods and stuck to roads and pavements where there were fewer dogs and those around were on leads. I hope you like me can find safe places where you are happy to run. Take care 🤗

[Buddy34 Graduate10]

So sorry you've been bitten by a dog on your run. I am a dog owner and he hates runners or anything that goes by him at speed. My dog is always on a short lead and is on the inside side of me.

I do not go to parks or anywhere I know dogs are off lead the reason is people say to me ' oh my dog is okay ' . You cannot predict how dogs are going to react with other dogs so I just stick to the pavements by the roadside . Its motorists parking on the pavement I have a problem with .

Anyway I do hope you're okay and really hope you can get back running soon. 😊

[Hidden]

What a horrible thing to happen! Maybe stick to paths and pavements for a while to get your confidence back. Don't let nasty dogs and people put you off

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10]

Awful DP. Even as a dog owner I treat others with caution if one approaches me whilst running. Often they’re coming over to meet my dog who often runs off the lead with me, but during full lockdown when I was running on the road and therefore was wearing hi-viz, I was clearly a “postman”’and worth investigating!

I try to avoid eye contact with a new dog, but I’ll always talk to them and put an arm down to deter them from jumping up - but I keep moving. For the most part they lose interest.

As for that owner, well that’s atrocious behaviour. Good for you reporting them to the police. Spitting is unacceptable at the best of times - but at the moment? Seriously? 😡

I hope you’re ok. Please keep running. People like that are in the minority thankfully. 👍

[theoldfellow]

Very sorry to hear your story. I hope you recover soon, and get back out running.

As to dogs, I used to train guide-dog puppies. Their mood almost always reflect their alpha - if the alpha feels threatened, they will too, and are not afraid of a 'first-strike' because the not-alpha dog is expendable shock troops.

The alpha is usually the pack leader, and with a human group is often the owner, but it could be another dog in the family, or even a child.

This is why they can be so dangerous - and you loving dogs won't protect you.

It sounds to me that the owner was very disturbed, and it's unlikely to occur again. I know that's not much help while you are feeling sore, and probably very frightened.

Once again, sympathy and best wishes.

[Deals1 Graduate10]

Oh no what an awful experience for u. As others have said please don't let it put u off. I'm not too keen dogs and always try to give a wide berth... But can be difficult at times. U did the right thing. Take care and hope you feel better soon

[Don_Pedro]

Thanks everyone for lovely comments and encouragement. As many of you said, I shall not let this single event discourage me from running which I came to really really enjoy! I did my 6k run this early morning when there are far fewer people around and did big circles around dog walkers. It felt great.

I though if I stop for a few weeks now, I would most likely just give up and go back to my unhealthy ways. Glad to have pushed through the fear. Really really thanks for all the support!

[theoldfellow in reply to Don_Pedro]

Bravo!

[runwithdog Graduate10]

i am sorry to read this as the horrid person/dog you met gives all dog owners a bad name.

a lazy arse owner with an ill mannered dog.

on a practical note if approached like that by a strange dog i would fold my arms and turn my back on the dog (hoping the dog thinks i want nothing to do with it and i am not exciting by not engaging with it/waving my arms about) OR i would be very commanding and shout ` away/sit/down` like i meant it and hope it worked.

i also have to tell people the `call their dogs` as i dont see why me and mine have to interact with other dogs when we are out doing our own thing and minding out own business.