Am I the d*ckhead?

Just went out for a short run in the local park, was going through the rose garden with plenty of people around and felt a nip on my ankle, stumbled forward and saw a small, fluffy white dog looking like it was about to attack again, so I kicked out at it. Ran on 10 metres or so, then thought **** that, the owner needs ro take some responsibility.

So I went back to the square and asked as calmly as I could (not very) why the dog wasn't on a lead? The owner replied 'why did you kick my dog?' I saw red at this point and the convo went as follows:

Me: Because it ******* bit me, it should be on a lead.
Dog owner: Who kicks a dog? It's only small.
Me: It still has sharp teeth and needs to be on a lead or it'll bite other people.
Dog owner: Who kicks a dog?
Me: Put it on a lead you ******* idiot.

Not my finest hour, especially considering that there were people watching. Always think of the right thing to say after an argument.

Was I overreacting, or was I right to confront him?

 

You were in order mate

 

You should have kicked the dog again then kicked him

 

I adore dogs, i've got so much time for each dog i see and i love every single one of them.

That being said, i believe if a dogs off its lead and starts to attack you, one of your party or your own dog you have the right to boot that dog across the field until it f*cks off.

 

Well in order. I'd have done the same.

 

This is exactly what I regret not doing!

Feel guilty for swearing with a child nearby and angry for being put in the situation.

 

No issues here. If an animal's attacking people without provocation then it's dangerous no matter how small it is. Well within your rights to defend yourself.

 

A small child who could have been damaged more than your adult ankles were.

 

Kick the dog & kick the owner afterwards.

 

Completely in the right here- I don't care how small the dog is.

 

I walk 3 dogs for a friend 3 days a week. My dogs are always off lead, but they are great with young kids, other dogs & I can call them to heel immediately, if I see another dog owner with a nervous dog on a lead, (usually it is a nervous owner, who does not how to help a nervous dog TBH), or someone who is scared of dogs, or a kid that is I call them back straight away. We have no issues with runners, cyclists, etc, as I stay in control of the dogs all the time. I never wear headphones, so I can be sure I can hear someone coming up the trail from behind. (Stephen Dawson included).

If I've had an aggressive dog come over to mine, which is rare, (as it's usually just an over excited one that actually wants to play, you can tell immediately between the two), then I'll happily kick it in the gonads, however big it is. Usually it doesn't come to that as you just give the dogs serious, no messing body language. Even the biggest dog will find an easier target. Dogs get body language a lot better than humans.

 

When you kicked the dog did you kick it from side to side a few times, pass it back to the owner or boot it upfield.

 

It's all your own fault of course... Going for a run!!!! What's the matter with you????

I'm not a fan of dogs though, or often their owners who seem to excuse all poor behaviours which are mainly down to their own failings.

I think if you'd put it in a blender and served him a dog smoothie, he couldn't have real cause for complaint. Though he might have been slightly miffed.

 

You did exactly the right thing, it could have been a child.

 

Was it like a tippy happy pass kind of kick in a Southgate style of play?
Or a robust Johnny Wilkinson welt, as if going for a World Cup winner?

 

I’ve yet to see a child bite anyone’s ankle

 

That sounds like Nipper Lawrence of Blackport Rovers.

 

You should have gone for the 2 point conversion.