Man walking dog on bike lane. Report for animal endangerment?

mrcheez · 21-11-2017 12:46PM #1

I was cycling on the Clontarf bike path (which goes parallel to a perfectly fine pedestrian path where most people walk their dogs) and a middle-aged man was walking his poodle using a lead and letting the lead cross the entire width of the bike path.

When I questioned him about why he was putting his dog in danger (not to mention cyclists crashing in order to avoid the dog pulling out in front at the last minute) he just responded " Mind your own business"

Bear in mind the pedestrian path is literally 1 metre away (separated by a low concrete kerb). This is also at 5pm so dark and the lead was barely visible.

Should I encounter this ignorant fool again, do I contact the Gardai or some other animal-focussed agency?

See mod warning post 32.

o1s1n · 21-11-2017 12:49PM

Do you really think the Gardaí are going to rush to the scene with their blues flashing to deal with a guy walking his dog in a bike lane?

lifeandtimes · 21-11-2017 12:49PM

Please don't contact the Gardai or an animal group as youll be wasting their time with this as the man would likely walk away home and a dog in the bike lane is a non issue.

If and that's a big if that you see him again, ring your bell loads of times to alert him you're coming, give him a scolding and tell him to keep his dog on the path before he caused an accident.

m5ex9oqjawdg2i · 21-11-2017 12:50PM

I'd call in the Army Ranger Wing, just to be certain OP, this dog walker is out of control.

mrcheez · 21-11-2017 12:55PM

lifeandtimes wrote: »

Please don't contact the Gardai or an animal group as youll be wasting their time with this as the man would likely walk away home and a dog in the bike lane is a non issue.

If and that's a big if that you see him again, ring your bell loads of times to alert him you're coming, give him a scolding and tell him to keep his dog on the path before he caused an accident.

Pretty much what I did, but that's not going to stop him. Best I can do is just stay cycling beside him and when a bike is coming the opposite direction he'll have to either move off the lane or shorten the lead.

I guess make it as uncomfortable for him as possible.

tk123 · 21-11-2017 01:16PM

I'm putting my dogs in danger everyday so - dodging cyclists on the non-cycle lane footpaths!

The Specialist · 21-11-2017 01:18PM

It's not like cyclists ever do anything at all that could be a danger to themselves or others :rolleyes:

kylith · 21-11-2017 01:24PM

Just cycle into the lead, crash, and hurt yourself. Then sue him.

Try not to hurt the dog, though; its not his fault his owner is an inconsiderate expletive.

DanMurphy · 21-11-2017 01:26PM

Go find a real crime to report or get a ****ing life . Jeez, animal endangerment, what next.
Ireland is coming down with a dose of PC Endangerment imo

mrcheez · 21-11-2017 01:53PM

Fascinating. So the view here is that a person letting a dog walk the full width of a busy traffic lane is doing nothing wrong?

I'm curious how you would react if you were driving along a single lane road and encountered a dog on the right kerb whilst the owner was walking on the left side of the road with lead stretched across the center.

jimmycrackcorm · 21-11-2017 01:55PM

tk123 wrote:

I'm putting my dogs in danger everyday so - dodging cyclists on the non-cycle lane footpaths!

Probably doing that to avoid the dog excrement on the bike paths.

ED E · 21-11-2017 01:55PM

Its constant. Peds complain about cyclists on paths then do the exact same in response.

Get a horn for the bike, when you scare them sh1tless they move, fast!

kyogger · 21-11-2017 01:57PM

hi there , have you rang the samaritans about this?

DanMurphy · 21-11-2017 01:57PM

mrcheez wrote: »

Fascinating. So the view here is that a person letting a dog walk the full width of a busy traffic lane is doing nothing wrong?

I'm curious how you would react if you were driving along a single lane road and encountered a dog on the right kerb whilst the owner was walking on the left side of the road with lead stretched across the center.

Exaggerate much?

FixitFelix · 21-11-2017 01:57PM

mrcheez wrote: »

I was cycling on the Clontarf bike path (which goes parallel to a perfectly fine pedestrian path where most people walk their dogs) and a middle-aged man was walking his poodle using a lead and letting the lead cross the entire width of the bike path.

When I questioned him about why he was putting his dog in danger (not to mention cyclists crashing in order to avoid the dog pulling out in front at the last minute) he just responded " Mind your own business"

Bear in mind the pedestrian path is literally 1 metre away (separated by a low concrete kerb). This is also at 5pm so dark and the lead was barely visible.

Should I encounter this ignorant fool again, do I contact the Gardai or some other animal-focussed agency?

I think you should take his advice OP

mrcheez · 21-11-2017 01:59PM

Haha wow

boombang · 21-11-2017 02:01PM

Despite laughing at the Army Ranger joke I have sympathy with the OP. The man is clearly ignorant and his reply to mind his own business is pathetic: he does not see that this matter is your business. If you encounter this issue again with him try to engage him explaining that you don't want to hurt his dog or yourself. I wonder if you try and pull as much confrontation out of the interaction will he see sense.

I once told some little knackers not to break public amenities down by grand canal dock. They told me to f-off and mind my own business. I explained that they were damaging stuff that belonged to everybody and it was my business. They were stumped and the abuse ceased.

boombang · 21-11-2017 02:02PM

FixitFelix wrote: »

I think you should take his advice OP

But the fool on the path is the cyclist's business.

exaisle · 21-11-2017 02:05PM

mrcheez wrote: »

Should I encounter this ignorant fool again, do I contact the Gardai or some other animal-focussed agency?

No...go to your local pharmacist an ask for an extra large bottle of KOPTHEFUKON. Administered as an enema, preferably....

FFS...

muddypaws · 21-11-2017 02:09PM

I'm a dog owner, pedestrian and cyclist - yes, such people do exist. I even drive a vehicle :O

Sorry OP I don't think there's anything that you can do really, except ring your bell to try and get him to move out of the way. Unfortunately he may well cause a nasty accident, but personal responsibility and common sense seem to be disappearing.

Pawwed Rig · 21-11-2017 02:09PM

boombang wrote: »

The man is clearly ignorant and his reply to mind his own business is pathetic: he does not see that this matter is your business. If you encounter this issue again with him try to engage him explaining that you don't want to hurt his dog or yourself. I wonder if you try and pull as much confrontation out of the interaction will he see sense.

Good advice and I would stop every time pretending I had never met him before and explain the same thing over and over again in a calm and friendly manner. Extra points for using words like ickle wickle doggie woggie.
The man may not have been aware he was causing an issue but got defensive as soon as he was confronted (which is common). Chances are he got the message but if not then do the above in future.

tk123 · 21-11-2017 02:20PM

jimmycrackcorm wrote: »

Probably doing that to avoid the dog excrement on the bike paths.

And the invisible glass and rubbish preventing them from using the road!

mrcheez · 21-11-2017 02:22PM

tk123 wrote: »

And the invisible glass and rubbish preventing them from using the road!

Impressive. Loving this, great insight into the Irish psyche

lifeandtimes · 21-11-2017 02:26PM

boombang wrote: »

I once told some little knackers not to break public amenities down by grand canal dock. They told me to f-off and mind my own business. I explained that they were damaging stuff that belonged to everybody and it was my business. They were stumped and the abuse ceased.

And then everyone started clapping.

Next up on things that never happened...

Alanstrainor · 21-11-2017 02:27PM

mrcheez wrote: »

I was cycling on the Clontarf bike path (which goes parallel to a perfectly fine pedestrian path where most people walk their dogs) and a middle-aged man was walking his poodle using a lead and letting the lead cross the entire width of the bike path.

When I questioned him about why he was putting his dog in danger (not to mention cyclists crashing in order to avoid the dog pulling out in front at the last minute) he just responded " Mind your own business"

Bear in mind the pedestrian path is literally 1 metre away (separated by a low concrete kerb). This is also at 5pm so dark and the lead was barely visible.

Should I encounter this ignorant fool again, do I contact the Gardai or some other animal-focussed agency?

I haven't come across this chap on my commute yet, but that sounds ridiculous and dangerous. It's the owners responsibility to be in control of the dog surely? It could cause an accident in the dark. However I don't know if there's much you can do. I think getting a bell and ringing it is the only sensible option at this point.

mrcheez · 21-11-2017 02:29PM

Alanstrainor wrote: »

I haven't come across this chap on my commute yet, but that sounds ridiculous and dangerous. It's the owners responsibility to be in control of the dog surely? It could cause an accident in the dark. However I don't know if there's much you can do. I think getting a bell and ringing it is the only sensible option at this point.

Funny thing is, I did ring my bell.

The prat couldn't hear me because he had headphones in :rolleyes:

tk123 · 21-11-2017 02:30PM

mrcheez wrote: »

Impressive. Loving this, great insight into the Irish psyche

My area is just laid out badly as far as cycle lanes go so patience runs out

There's one whole section I don't walk them on anymore because it's too dangerous with cyclists on the path (which again isn't a cycle lane)

Fair play to you for having a bell though!!

boombang · 21-11-2017 02:45PM

lifeandtimes wrote: »

And then everyone started clapping.

Next up on things that never happened...

It did happen honestly. Although it might have simply been out of confusion that somebody actually addressed them about their conduct rather than they were persuaded to see sense.

In the case of a grown adult I think it's worth trying reason once again.

Nobody's mentioned the standard boards reply of "blast him with piss" yet?

Dial Hard · 21-11-2017 02:58PM

boombang wrote:

Nobody's mentioned the standard boards reply of "blast him with piss" yet?

Because we're not in After Hours. Although it felt like it there for a bit.

mrcheez · 21-11-2017 03:05PM

tk123 wrote: »

My area is just laid out badly as far as cycle lanes go so patience runs out There's one whole section I don't walk them on anymore because it's too dangerous with cyclists on the path (which again isn't a cycle lane)

Fair play to you for having a bell though!!

Adding Air-Horn to my Santa wishlist.

o1s1n · 21-11-2017 03:08PM

mrcheez wrote: »

Fascinating. So the view here is that a person letting a dog walk the full width of a busy traffic lane is doing nothing wrong?

No, the view here is that ringing the Gardaí about someone walking their dog in a cycle lane is utterly ridiculous and the person on the other end of the phone will probably laugh at you. (and rightly so)

Man walking dog on bike lane. Report for animal endangerment?

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