FurballLover
Active Member
This afternoon was a glorious 60 degrees, so when I got home for work I took the drooler for a nice walk. UNTIL---
There was a man walking two smaller dogs more than halfway up the block from us. The cute little ones were getting overly excited after seeing us (my drooler weighs in at a very tall 87lbs). One of the man's little pups got tangled in his legs a few times, and he was getting frustrated. On the 3rd, time the dog went through his legs the man got angry. He used the lead to swing the dog thru the air and whip the poor thing around, landing on the ground. Then he picked up the poor thing by the lead 2 more times, shaking the pup in the air and yelling. Well, of course the little dog didn't understand what happened and tried to cross thru his legs again. This time the man 'trapped' the pup by the head between his shins and started swatting the pup on the nose. Well, after that, the poor little thing had his tail tucked and nose down walking alongside the man. I was appalled--how can someone be so cruel?
I was about to call the police until I realized the phone was on the kitchen table--I almost ran up the block to scold the man, but I took the coward's way out.
At this point, they turned the corner away from where we were going, and my sweet doggie was getting too excited (coughing and pulling on her lead) so we went the other way.
I have found through experience that no amount of talking will change another's opinion of how to behave, and I only end up more frustrated and angry.
So, what started as a relaxing and enjoyable outing, ended up making me feel sick to my stomach. If I ever see this bastard again, does anyone have advice about how to handle a confrontation?
There was a man walking two smaller dogs more than halfway up the block from us. The cute little ones were getting overly excited after seeing us (my drooler weighs in at a very tall 87lbs). One of the man's little pups got tangled in his legs a few times, and he was getting frustrated. On the 3rd, time the dog went through his legs the man got angry. He used the lead to swing the dog thru the air and whip the poor thing around, landing on the ground. Then he picked up the poor thing by the lead 2 more times, shaking the pup in the air and yelling. Well, of course the little dog didn't understand what happened and tried to cross thru his legs again. This time the man 'trapped' the pup by the head between his shins and started swatting the pup on the nose. Well, after that, the poor little thing had his tail tucked and nose down walking alongside the man. I was appalled--how can someone be so cruel?
I was about to call the police until I realized the phone was on the kitchen table--I almost ran up the block to scold the man, but I took the coward's way out.
At this point, they turned the corner away from where we were going, and my sweet doggie was getting too excited (coughing and pulling on her lead) so we went the other way.
I have found through experience that no amount of talking will change another's opinion of how to behave, and I only end up more frustrated and angry.
So, what started as a relaxing and enjoyable outing, ended up making me feel sick to my stomach. If I ever see this bastard again, does anyone have advice about how to handle a confrontation?
Poor little doggie. I wouldn't call it the coward's way out; it seems like these days you can't be too careful. However, for the next time, I think I personally would approach it not as a confrontation (even if the man will see it that way) but as an educational mission. With phone in hand (in case you have to call the cops or he's a psycho), I would approach him (maybe tie your drooler to a sign post or something momentarily if you can) and just give the facts, as if you don't think he's being cruel, just that he doesn't know any better. Such as: "Gosh, dogs sure can be frustrating sometimes, can't they? I get tangled up with mine occasionally, and I'm always sure I'm going to bite it. Your little guy seems like he doesn't know any better, and swinging him by his leash is really dangerous for him. I know you were probably just upset in the heat of the moment, but things like that can be considered animal cruelty." Then see what he says. He will probably get defensive and try to rationalize his behavior, or tell you to mind your own business and get huffy with you. But a calm, rational approach on your part will hopefully keep it from escalating, and it might make him think about what he's doing. And if not, you did your part, and if you see it again, I would definitely call the cops or the ASPCA or whatever is in your area. 
