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

[Tiddlypom]

You need to use slip leads in public at events like horse trials IMO.
I always have slip leads in the car and truck in case of breakdowns stuff like that

But dogs can slip out of slip leads...

 

[Cortez]

You can run one without spectators as well. They pose a risk to the horse rider as well, equally loose horses cause a danger to the spectator.
Horses on roads are a danger to the rider and other road users lets ban them. Or at least make them pass a test to show they are safe to be on the road.
Children shouldn’t be allowed to ride either as it’s a dangerous sport and it’s a parents job to keep them safe.
Horses that kick shouldn’t be allowed at horse events they cause a risk.
The list goes on ....

TBF I can't recall any instances of spectators chasing and attempting to bite horses on the XC course......

 

[Goldenstar]

I think the reliance on spectators for funding entirely depends on the size of the event.

YG they did fine them.[/QUOTE


Fines don’t hack it most don’t care .
They would care about being banned from riding until they had done six days fence judging .

 

[ester]

Just stating a fact GS for people who mentioned fines and perhaps hadn't realised that is what had happened. Not a comment on how useful fines are.

 

[Goldenstar]

But dogs can slip out of slip leads...

I get it you don’t like dogs in public.
Dogs don’t get out of slip leads if you are competent .
For me a the slip lead is irrelevant as my dog is trained which clearly what those riders at Richmond are unable or unwilling to do .

 

[WandaMare]

And people drink alcohol at the events, in the bar tent. Some of them have dogs...shall i just not go there?

 

[stormox]

As it is the competitors who are in danger from the occasional loose dog (that is what this thread is about- not dogs just being at events and whether the dog enjoys it), as BE has asked the competitors and the majority voted yes, dogs should be allowed, surely any'general public should be respectful of what competitors want - a lot of horse trials have attached country fairs with lurcher and terrier shows. Or a dog show is organised to raise funds... if you dont like dogs or horses dont go to a country event!!

 

[Tiddlypom]

I don’t mind dogs in suitable public places at all, I’m a dog owner ?‍.

Slip leads are the least secure way of putting a dog on a lead, though. The dog in the video which was with the man in red slipped its collar and lead very easily.

 

[Goldenstar]

Just stating a fact GS for people who mentioned fines and perhaps hadn't realised that is what had happened. Not a comment on how useful fines are.

Yes I know , I was just throwing onto the mix that fines don’t work but bans from riding and FJing would .
Competitors dogs do not need to be on the course while they walk it while the xc is running it’s unnecessary .
The rider being required to pull up when ever they see a loose dog running beside them ( that’s what would have done if I had been that rider ) and FJ ‘s stopping riders when is loose should also be seriously considered .

 

[Tiddlypom]

I cant understand why anyone would take the dogs FJ. Ive fenced judged for the past couple of years, and every event ive been too you have just about had enough time to go for a wee and eat your lunch. the horses come through so fast you dont get a minute. So what do the dogs do all day ? Sitting all day either inside a car or on the grass (if your lucky enough for good weather ) doesnt seem like much for them.

I agree, plus you’d think that the dogs would get a headache after you have to blast the whistle for every approaching competitor.

 

[ester]

BE asked members
and that wasn't the question they asked but that seems not ot matter to some.

 

[poiuytrewq]

Oh god the buggies too! People are so stupid at times!

I wonder if people realise the danger they are putting children in sometimes. It’s unthinkable what could potentially happen

 

[Fred66]

TBF I can't recall any instances of spectators chasing and attempting to bite horses on the XC course......

? Obviously not it’s a different risk but still a risk. They run across distracting the horse and rider when they should be focussed on the jump in front. Plus other distracting behaviour.

 

[WandaMare]

BE asked members
and that wasn't the question they asked but that seems not ot matter to some.

isn't that because if members voted to continue to allow dogs in times of Covid, it would be very unlikely they would ever vote for a ban

 

[Fred66]

BE asked members
and that wasn't the question they asked but that seems not ot matter to some.

Because you keep deliberately missing the point.

If I am a BE rider and I am one that would prefer dogs not to be allowed at events, then if given an opportunity to vote on dogs being allowed during the restart period after Covid lockdown then I will fairly obviously vote against. What possible reason could there be for me voting to allow them.

 

[ester]

Nope, still not missing the point deliberately or otherwise.

Some extrapolation skills are just far more impressive than mine.

 

[SpotsandBays]

I agree, plus you’d think that the dogs would get a headache after you have to blast the whistle for every approaching competitor.

I agree too. My collie would be bored out of her head sat in or next to a car all day!

 

[SatansLittleHelper]

My dog sits in the back of the car he’s does not need a crate .
People ( pre Covid ) ttake dogs to horse trials to spectate because it’s a doggy day out just as dog tourism is a huge and growing business (it’s really growing in Northumberland ).
When I competed our dogs ( we travelled with three at that time ) they stayed in the lorry living when the competition was running , when we had a puppy they had a crate in the horse area and we took a Little run .
The truth is BE has allowed certain competitors to behave in an irresponsible way for years and they can stop it if they have a will .
oh I am such an airhead I only have a tail bandage as a lead and Fluffy is now loose ( but I can drive a huge lorry and manage a business that turns over more than the VAT threshold )
oh I am in such demand I can’t possibly walk the xc while people gallop round with out talking on my phone the whole time and now my three terriers are on the loose .
Once a competition is running it’s not good enough .BE can stop it if they choose they have the power to sanction riders if they have the will .

Ahhh I see GS, in that case I don't really see the problem but I'm supposing that not all owners are as responsible or their dogs as well trained.
I personally think it would be a great shame to lose valuable volunteers by banning dogs....I've seen lots of different events that are crying out for people to help.
It's such a double edged sword really...I can see so many of the pro's and cons to a ban.
I absolutely agree that no dog should be loose around the horses at these events.

 

[MagicMelon]

Personally Im totally in agreement with banning them outright. Dogs have absolutely no place at a horse event IMO. I have a dog, I understand people dont want to leave their dog at home all day or whatever but surely they can get a neighbour or someone to pop in during the day to let the dog out OR if they really have absolutely no other option just keep it in the lorry / trailer (not saying car as that'd get hot) and only take out on a short lead just round the vehicle to pee etc. They dont need to be dragged around the event. My dog would much rather stay at home. No dog IMO can be trusted at an event, it just takes one slip of the collar or lead and they're off. So dangerous for everyone concerned. Ive been chased by a dog on the XC before and it really messes with your concentration, even if it does back off eventually.

 

[Crazy_cat_lady]

Good luck with that! My parents wouldn't have my SIL's dog in the house. There was alot of tension around every visit. It was allowed in the garden where it proceeded to chase the hens. Of course it was playing and wouldn't hurt them. Too right I said and put it in the shed. They came down to stay the night before my Dad's funeral. She slept in the house and her husband and son in their camper van outside. During the night I realised that she had the dog with her. Such respect for my parents and my Mum who had been especially kind to her.

I can tell i may need luck! I don't think its been left on its own yet, because people accommodate them taking it. OH is someone who says yes to anything family related so that's probably why he seemed so shocked i dare deny the dog.
Sorry but after seeing his parents cats hiding out upstairs yesterday why should mine have to be upset in their home, a place they should feel safe? Also one will be a ragdoll which is a breed that can't sense danger and while the dog is used to cats I can't bear the thought of something going wrong.
Also I dont like dogs and while this one doesn't currently smell I dont want the smell of dog in my home or it pooing and peeing on the lawn.
It wouldn't be a long visit so the dog will just have to be left at home it won't hurt it!

 

[MagicMelon]

As it is the competitors who are in danger from the occasional loose dog (that is what this thread is about- not dogs just being at events and whether the dog enjoys it), as BE has asked the competitors and the majority voted yes, dogs should be allowed, surely any'general public should be respectful of what competitors want - a lot of horse trials have attached country fairs with lurcher and terrier shows. Or a dog show is organised to raise funds... if you dont like dogs or horses dont go to a country event!!

When did BE ask this? I was a member for years (not only on a ticket) and never once got asked for my opinion on dogs. And no, I dont believe there should be a vote on something like this. Its a horse event, not a dog event. I know no horse events in my area that incorporate a dog type show. I have the right to be allowed to compete my horse at an event and NOT risk having a dog chase after us risking injury to myself and my horse either from being bitten or losing concentration and hitting a fence.

 

[MagicMelon]

To a lot of people dogs are 'family' and a family day out at an event or anywhere includes dogs. I enjoy having my dog with me when I go out..

Funny though as I have 2 (human) kids so 'family' and whilst they come with me everywhere I go, I sure as hell dont want them with me at a horse event. No matter how well trained my 2yo son is, I dont want the risk of him walking too close behind a horse or running about. So I make sure someone can look after him at home. Same applies to my dog.

 

[MurphysMinder]

I would hate to see dogs banned entirely. I have been to Rolex Kentucky a couple of times and it felt very strange walking round without a dog, there were many dogs there and not one loose dog incident as far as I am aware, maybe their dogs are better trained With regards to dogs slipping collars, in over 60 years I have never known a dog slip a chain check collar, I suspect a lot of the escaping dogs thing is down to the trend for harnesses etc.

 

[honetpot]

I think the idea that BE members should vote on it is good idea, but there is a but. The events that are run under BE rules, and the organisers have to comply with BE rules, but they are unable to make a profit, they are solely responsible for the finance, or can not find people to help they will stop running they them, and just go unaffiliated. There is also the issue of who polices it. So many people take their dogs to large events and it lives in the lorry/or caravan not only for company, but also as a deterrent for thieves.
https://edition.pagesuite-professio...d=1de5a026-4851-49a3-8850-3ce1902f1659&pnum=1

 

[Fred66]

I have decided I will have to agree to disagree on this.

To me taking my dog(s) with me to a XC event is something I have done since I started going to them 40+ years ago.

I keep them on the lead, clean up after them and don’t allow them to “go say hello” unless invited. They have been socialised around horses so don’t bark or react to horses.

If BE ban dogs then whilst still going I will be more picky in which ones I attend and won’t go as frequently.

Dogs can be a nuisance but not just at BE events, to me the arguments people are making re dogs at BE can be applied in all areas of life.

Banning of dogs could have numerous knock on effects, such as making volunteers harder to come by, reducing competitor numbers (if people need to pay to kennel their dog they may not go to as many events - not everyone has grooms at home), reducing venues, increasing costs (if vendors don’t make money they will stop going) and this will impact on venue income which will be passed on to the competitor.
If you want a pet to leave at home get a cat, if you have a dog as a pet then you get it for company and to have a hobby that has always welcomed you and your pet suddenly cut off from you because of the occasional irresponsible actions of a tiny minority would be depressing.

 

[PapaverFollis]

Dogs *shouldn't* be a problem at events. They shouldn't. It's not that hard to keep a dog on a secure lead and keep hold of it. But it's clearly beyond a small but significant number of people to have a properly controlled dog. One dog chasing a horse is too many though in my view. A simple ban on dogs on course during live cross-country would go a long way towards reducing risk.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

I don’t mind dogs in suitable public places at all, I’m a dog owner ?‍.

Slip leads are the least secure way of putting a dog on a lead, though. The dog in the video which was with the man in red slipped its collar and lead very easily.

A slip lead isn't so easy to get out of as a loose collar. When we are out in public our dogs always have 2 points of contact (leads) one on a harness and the other either a slip lead or halter depending on the breed. But if you walk your dog on the xc course without a lead, you can hardly be surprised if it runs off.

 

[Grassy]

But the overwhelming majority of people cant take their dogs to work, for numerous valid reasons. I have 4 dogs, I've chosen a job and lifestyle that works with having dogs. I pay for assistance with them as and when I need it. Its part of having a dog, and its why lots of people cant have dog at all.

So while its a shame to read your list of excuses, if a ban was brought in and you couldn't do it because you wouldn't leave your dog, then that's a shame, but tough quite frankly. I bet you'd have something sorted ASAP though, because you would have to. Its amazing what people can arrange when given no choice in the matter.

But, the same as you, I have chosen a job, or in my case running my own business, & lifestyle that works with having a dog, that’s why we got him because we were able to accommodate his needs & ours & he’s not left at home for hours on end by himself. Sorry if my list of “excuses” offends you, but other posters had asked if people took their dogs to the yard, on holiday etc. ?‍

 

[rabatsa]

I attend Bramham on a stand with my dog, a greyhound on the Retired Greyhound stand. The number of dogs not on leads walking around the trade stands is very noticable. Many dogs are obviously not happy and some are downright knackered. The owners of these dogs are not thinking about their pets welfare at all and they are fashion accessories/status symbols only. To me the dogs should have been left at home.

 

[Tiddlypom]

For those who do take their dogs with them for a full day of FJing, how do you manage them when it’s hot? Cold and wet is easy by comparison, you can stick them in the car while you freeze outside . (TDs do not approve of FJs in cars).

Today is an hot early autumn day, it’s been sunny, no wind and 25° C here. I can’t see how I could have kept a dog safe, cool and comfortable if I was sited in an shadeless open field all day, which I’ve had to do a few times. You’re there from before 9am to after 6pm, with barely a break at course changeover times.

How do you and your dog(s) cope? The car interior gets hot even with all the doors and windows open.