We live in the countryside and enjoy walking and running. We are very lucky to live on a quiet lane with lots of access to footpaths. One of the footpaths nearby cuts across the back of a stables. I tend to avoid this particular route as the owners of the property have large dogs (foxhounds – 3 I have encountered previously) who are very vocal and have been very intimidating to me previously. They have been reported to the dog warden a number of times (by other locals, and also by me when I had a very scary encounter with them previously) as they have form for escaping and attacking wildlife, and they also act aggressively towards those using the footpath. I know the police have visited a number of times.
I was out yesterday with my children (5 and 7) and mother in law. We had walked approximately 5 miles, the kids were tired, and were on the verge of losing light (it was just after 4pm) so I made the call that we were going to have to use this particular footpath – I have used it a few times alone recently and had no issues. I explained to the children ahead of time that if we were approached by dogs they were to stand still, cross their arms and remain calm. Thank goodness I did this.
Instead of being approached by the three I have encountered previously, seven dogs bounded up to us. All large foxhounds whom were easily taller than my five year old when standing on their hind legs (the could, and did, get their front paws on my shoulders) They were accompanied by a man and woman who were doing yard work. The woman shouted ‘they’re friendly’ and then completely ignored the fact these dogs were jumping all over us and would not let us pass. Whilst they weren’t aggressive, they were incredibly physical and loud. My kids got scratched by dogs jumping up and pushing them and we were all covered in mud by them. We stood there for a good two minutes being completely ignored while the dogs went mental. No apology, no attempt to recall the dogs, nothing. My kids were really scared but by some miracle I managed to be exceptionally calm/casual and this kept everyone else reasonably calm. There was no point in turning back as they would have followed us back the other way anyway; so we then had to walk the need 200m being ‘escorted’ by this pack of massive bouncy dogs.
I feel totally stupid for putting my kids in this position. But also really fucking pissed off that these people did and said NOTHING. If I hadn’t pre warned the children and MIL that there might been dogs and explained what they needed to do, they could easily have panicked/been flappy and gotten bitten or pushed over. Never mind how terrified an unsuspecting member of the public on a walk might have been.
WIB overreacting to report again? I’m aware it’s their land but it’s a public footpath and to do nothing about a literal pack of dogs jumping all over people is beyond unacceptable, right?