Another loose dog incident at an event. Time to ban dogs?

[Tiddlypom]

Two loose dogs, joined briefly by a third one, chased a competitor on the XC in an Intermediate section at Richmond Horse Trials last Friday.

https://www.horseandhound.co.uk/new...ntry-by-loose-dogs-in-terrifying-video-724593

One of the dogs was keeping pace with, and at one time overtaking, the horse on the course. The dogs belonged to a another competitor who was walking the course. The horse was stopped on course while the dogs were retrieved, but went on to finish and get a place.

The event organiser relates how that over the three days, she asked 10 or so more people to put their dogs on leads or get them under control, as well as stewards having to ask people as well.

The ‘I must bring my doggies everywhere with me‘ brigade gets very hot under the collar about this, but IMHO it is time to bring in a blanket ban on dogs at equine events. There was such a uproar earlier on this year at the proposal that dogs be banned at BE events during Covid restrictions that it was not enforced .

It‘s all good having dogs at events until it isn’t. The dogs’ owner was mortified and very contrite, but it should never have been able to happen.

 

[CanteringCarrot]

I have a dog and could never imagine letting her off leash at an event. She is well trained and has a fantastic recall, but the thought would never cross my mind.

I generally don't mix dogs and horses. I bring my dog to the yard (allowed) every once in awhile since she plays quite well with one of the YO's dogs, but I wouldn't be offend at all if the YO banned dogs. Same goes for events.

 

[PatchyBabyHorse]

I don’t think there should be a blanket ban, but I think a hefty fine of like £250 for every dog off the lead would do it.

 

[Equi]

The third dog was on a lead but got away due to the excitement I assume. Let’s face it the majority of country dogs are generally terrier or working based and will chase if let. It’s not something that is likely to effect me as I don’t event or have a dog but I’d not be opposed to a ban as long as it also went as far as to say no leaving dogs in your car/lorry alone all day.

 

[honetpot]

I can imagine competitors should be thinking about the cost of kennels if this happens, a small dog costs £15-16 a day, and then you have for collecting and dropping off. Everyone thinks thier dog is perfect, I had a lurcher and you could not trust one second to bog off given the smallest gap so had to be on the lead at all times even in the lorry.

 

[TPO]

No one ever thinks it will be them or their dog until it is.

Sure it's a minority that get onto course and chase horses but that could have fatal consequences. Could you be charged with some form of manslaughter if that happened?

Aside from the "headline" behaviour of chasing horses there are usually relatively minor incidences elsewhere with dogs getting loose, being in the way or excrement.

I understand that it's a "countryside" pursuit and that's horses and dogs are intertwined but I dont think the risks are worth it. If things keep on like this its only a matter of time until there is a very serious incident.

Even at events like Blair and Badminton it's annoying getting tangled in leads and what not plus it cant be very pleasant for the majority of the dogs.

 

[Lintel]

Time to ban idiotic owners!

 

[9tails]

I can't believe anybody thinks it's OK to have a dog off lead at these type of events, but at least 10 people did. It's mind boggling.

 

[Winters100]

I never take my dogs to any horse activities, but I do feel that a blanket ban is harsh. I would fully support high fines for any dog off the leash even for a moment, along with the offender being asked to leave - I would assume that a fine of a few hundred pounds would make most irresponsible owners think twice!

 

[poiuytrewq]

I don’t think there should be a blanket ban, but I think a hefty fine of like £250 for every dog off the lead would do it.

I think this may well work

 

[TPO]

The thing is that its not just the dogs of irresponsible that get loose.

One of the three in this article apparently slipped its collar, the one I'm thinking of at Blair still had its extendable (part of the danger) attached.

Accidents happen even to the most conscientious of dog owners/handlers. I personally dont think the risk is worth it regardless if it's a local BE80 or Badminton 5*

Dogs don't "need" to be there and their being there does cause problems so...

 

[Leandy]

As always it would be better to enforce the existing rules better rather than have a blanket ban which punishes those who are perfectly responsible. Particularly where the culprit is another competitor, an immediate ban on competing at that event should do it. Spectators are harder to police but again, immediately requiring them to leave the ground would be a good sanction. A fine would be hard to extract I think.

 

[Nudibranch]

Maybe there should be a requirement to use slip leads, or else don't bring your dog. Not sure how that would be enforced though!

 

[Tiddlypom]

A fine would be hard to extract I think.

Confiscating the dog pending payment of the fine may make extraction of the fine somewhat easier?

Though I’m still in favour of a full ban.

 

[Fools Motto]

I'm a firm believer that dogs should be banned from events. Loose dogs seem to happen time and time again, and surely it is only a matter of time before a horse spooks and unseats rider, or gets entangled in a lead.. and then this is where people will question why hasn't a ban been issued?!
I'm a dog lover btw.
London 2012 was so peaceful (and clean!) without dogs there at Greenwich.

 

[ester]

Dogs being on lead does not stop this situation happening.

I'm not sure competitors need to consider the cost of kennels, just leave them secured at the lorry and not out on a live course.

 

[my bfg]

Think at some point it will have to come to a complete ban. A loose dog on the track is a danger to the horse, rider and to the dog itself. It's unfair to the horse and unfair to the rider, both of whom have put in a lot of hard work to get to the point of competing in such high profile events, only to risk being injured or losing time on their course
Also I wouldn't personally take a dog into the crowded shopping areas, I've heard a few dogs cry out when they've been stepped on and seen a few that have over heated. I get that for many folks an event is often part of a trip away, a few events I've been to have had day kennels set up on site to ensure dogs are looked after while their owners are attending, if I didnt want to use the kennels then bringing a dog is not a risk I would take x

 

[sport horse]

Lots of dogs at show jumping competitions but I have not seen one loose in many years. Its rare for SJ's to be better at a behaviour issue than the eventers!!

 

[Magnetic Sparrow]

As a volunteer at BE events, what am I supposed to do with my dog when I'm at an event for up to 12 hours if I can't take her with me?

 

[ester]

I'd expect the spec of volunteers would change if dogs weren't allowed.

 

[ycbm]

I've been chased through a BE novice double by a dog, luckily on a very sensible horse. They should be banned, imo.
.

 

[splashgirl45]

why should everyone be tarred with the same brush. this latest incident had the owners 2 dogs off lead while walking the course, while she was very apologetic she should have been immediately banned from the event and BE could extend the ban to other events if they felt it necessary. a large fine would be good as well.. if i take mine to an event i put a harness on him to make sure he is secure although if possible i leave both dogs at home with someone to let them out as required..much easier but not always possible

 

[ycbm]

why should everyone be tarred with the same brush.

Because until the sensible owners can guarantee that there will never be an out of control dog in someone else's care, it's an accident waiting to happen.
.

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

Your never going to be able to put a full on ban any time soon but a hefty fine and instant dismissal from the event for any dog found off the lead should sort some people out.

I personally would love to see a full ban on dogs at all equine events. I've been chased a few times at showing shows with various ponies and it's really not fun! I've caught some when stewarding and judging and it's not fair on other competitors.

 

[ester]

SG the article says the organisers did fine her.

 

[hottoddy]

As a volunteer at BE events, what am I supposed to do with my dog when I'm at an event for up to 12 hours if I can't take her with me?

I leave mine in a stable at home with food, water and bed and get a friend to pop in and walk. You could always get a kennel with a run

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I don’t think there should be a blanket ban, but I think a hefty fine of like £250 for every dog off the lead would do it.

This I think they should be fined

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZS5U5cYo/

Was it this one?

Eta - sorry to just do link, I can't work out how to put video in post.

 

[AmyMay]

I’d like to see them banned, personally.

 

[Quigleyandme]

I’ve fence judged at BE events and some people have no respect. They’ll duck under the tapes and wonder down the course and let their dogs off the lead to cool off in the water whilst there are competitors on the course. You can blow your whistle until blue in the face for all the notice they’ll take. One TA told me he saw a small dog’s head torn completely off when a horse galloped into it’s extendable lead.