splashgirl45
Lurcher lover
thats terrible what are these people thinking? , there should be a way to ban them , fines are good but a ban would be a better deterrent
Another loose dog incident at an event. Time to ban dogs?
- Thread starter Tiddlypom
- Start date
scats
Well-Known Member
I’ve taken our dogs a few times to Kelsall to watch, but they are always on a lead and if I’m honest, Im absolutely paranoid that they’d get away so I think it stresses me out more having them there! I’d have no problem with them banning dogs at events.
Quigleyandme
Well-Known Member
Maybe even one dog per responsible adult rather than the three or four you often see one person struggling to control.
WandaMare
Well-Known Member
I wouldn't like to see them banned because the vast majority of owners are sensible and its a lovely day out for people with their dogs, but I think there should be big fines and bans for people involved in any incident. There should be signs on the entrance gates laying down the law with owners, bring your dog but only if you are capable of responsible behaviour. The problem is that when things go wrong, people get off way too lightly. It needs a publicity campaign by BE.
Vodkagirly
Well-Known Member
I volunteered as a dressage steward at an event recently. No dogs allowed in the FEI warm up, the amount of abuse I got trying to stop people going in with dogs and buggies was unreal.
Elf On A Shelf
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Oh god the buggies too! People are so stupid at times!
PapaverFollis
Well-Known Member
I've taken the dogs to County Shows a few times. They wear well fitting harnesses and short leads attached to my waist so no chance of slipping collars or dropping leads... and even if something happened to me, like I fainted or something, the dog would still be secure. Plus I always have treats, I've done training to livestock proof them and they would pretty much not run off even if I did drop the lead. I have had some funny looks being hands free attached to the dogs but it wasn't my dog that got into the showjumping ring that time! Those kind of shows often have dog classes too do they'll always be something of a risk factor there anyway. But I would support a dog ban at horse events because clearly a significant number of people are unable to risk assess and act responsibly.
doodle
Well-Known Member
It’s a shame as the vast majority of times people have their dogs under control and again it is a few people causing issues for the rest. I think they should be banned entirely.
teapot
Well-Known Member
No dogs didn't stop people attending the Olympics.
I'd fully support a full ban, why should my day out be ruined because of having to constantly side step dog poo, leads, dogs trying to go for each other?
That, or make it more expensive to take dogs with you...
I'd fully support a full ban, why should my day out be ruined because of having to constantly side step dog poo, leads, dogs trying to go for each other?
That, or make it more expensive to take dogs with you...
Roasted Chestnuts
Well-Known Member
I would prefer if people didn’t bring dogs to events. I’ve been tripped, I’ve been walking and ended up standing on someone dog as they have been on one of those stupid extending leads and dashed between my feet, I’ve been growled and barked at walking past, I’ve seen people thrown from horses due to dogs and I’ve stood in dog crap from asshole owners that can’t clean it up. If you can’t go to an event without your dog then you need to re-evaluate things. Most dogs are for status these days at events and at the bigger ones they usually look stressed.
{97702}
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God I hate this generalised kind of rant - why should the few idiots spoilt it for the many? Penalise those people who can’t/won’t control their dogs, not those of us who have regularly and often taken 4 sighthounds eventing (either spectating or fence judging) with no problems whatsoever.... other than being mistaken for WFP’s wife!
The percentage of dogs who cause problems at events is minuscule compared to the number of dogs who attend, and as with the rest of life sadly you will never be able to factor in the irresponsible/plain stupid owners of life who don’t take sufficient precautions with their dogs. Fine them/ban them (particularly if they are, as in this case, competitors who should know better!) but I don’t personally believe a blanket ban is warranted
The percentage of dogs who cause problems at events is minuscule compared to the number of dogs who attend, and as with the rest of life sadly you will never be able to factor in the irresponsible/plain stupid owners of life who don’t take sufficient precautions with their dogs. Fine them/ban them (particularly if they are, as in this case, competitors who should know better!) but I don’t personally believe a blanket ban is warranted
SOS
Well-Known Member
There was absolute outrage on social media a few months ago when BE’s plans to resumption of sport banned dogs incase other people had to get involved.
Then just two months later multiple incidents at single events are happening. I really think there should be a fine and currently suspension of the rider connected to the dog for putting other competitors at risk would be completely reasonable (both of injury and COVID if they have to catch the dog).
Then just two months later multiple incidents at single events are happening. I really think there should be a fine and currently suspension of the rider connected to the dog for putting other competitors at risk would be completely reasonable (both of injury and COVID if they have to catch the dog).
teapot
Well-Known Member
Thing is Lev, it's not just about causing problems. The last few big events I've been to - Gatcombe, Blenheim etc - have been frankly hellish and not easy to enjoy because of the attitude of the majority, not minority, of dog owners.
{97702}
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Well obv I’m sorry you feel you’ve had those experiences, but I’ve attended a huge number of events mainly as a BE volunteer but also as a spectator and I’ve never had a problem? I love Gatcombe, Blenheim, Hartpury and Badminton (for example) as my ‘local’ main events - granted at Badminton you get a lot more of the general public than usual ? - maybe I’m oblivious as a dog owner but I’ve avoided the populated areas (why on earth would I want to go there anyway?!) and had a great time ?
joosie
Well-Known Member
Those of you who suggested a fine. How would you propose they enforce it?
TPO
Well-Known Member
Yes, how do you enforce and police loose dogs. Does that mean you then need security to escort people off the premises?
No one ever thinks it will be them or their dogs and I'm sure most people would label themselves as responsible owners/handlers who would never have their dog(s) get loose. Yet it happens all the time.
At best the rider/horse have their competition round, that cost hundreds of pounds, ruined and at worse horse and/or rider could end up seriously injured or dead. All because people feel entitled to take dogs because their dogs would never...
I can't think of any upsides to dogs being at events regardless of the risk that they pose
WandaMare
Well-Known Member
I guess it would be up to BE to decide but I don’t think it would be that difficult to pull together a system. Look at all the parking fines (non council) in this country. People would have to give their details then get a letter and pay up.
I ve been to Badminton every year for many years and seeing all the dogs there is a big part of the day for me. I haven’t got caught in extension leads or stood in dog cr*p even though I go in all the busy areas, it’s just never been a problem or maybe I ve just been lucky. I think more could be done by people to resolve the issues before jumping to a blanket ban, there seems to be quite a few people interested on here, why not form a group and put some ideas together to present to BE?
SOS
Well-Known Member
I have no idea the legalities on fines but I imagine you’d have to have signs/in the pre event info a warning that say any loose dogs could be fined up to XXX. Then all dogs should have contact details on their collar anyway and I’m guessing the owner or handler would want them back. They’d then be given a form issuing the fine to be paid in X days. If the dog doesn’t have contact details and no one comes forward, obviously treat it as a stray and call a dog warden.
They’d be asked what competitor number they are with (again this only works currently with no spectators but it is even more important dogs don’t get loose at the moment). The competitor would then have a suspension of X amount of time depending on how much hassle/risk the dog posed to other competitors and volunteers. Pretty tough if it was their groom or families dog but if you’re gonna put other people at risk don’t be there.
Goldenstar
Well-Known Member
I won’t volunteer without taking my dog .
ihatework
Well-Known Member
Although I could live with an outright ban it just isn’t going to happen anytime soon but I do think we need to get tougher.
Off the top of my head I might go as far as the only dogs on site to be owned by paid up BE members, with some system in place for volunteers to. Then dog management can be in rules and members bound by the rules . Gives some level of enforceability for BE. Then maybe a ban on dogs on the Xc course while it’s live competition.
Off the top of my head I might go as far as the only dogs on site to be owned by paid up BE members, with some system in place for volunteers to. Then dog management can be in rules and members bound by the rules . Gives some level of enforceability for BE. Then maybe a ban on dogs on the Xc course while it’s live competition.
AFB
Well-Known Member
Wow, I always thought these incidents came from idiots dropping leads of ill fitting collars etc., who on earth thinks it's acceptable to willingly have their dog lose at these events 
Orangehorse
Well-Known Member
People take their dogs with them because they have to leave home very early in the morning and get back late and night and don't want to leave the dog all day.
Ban dogs off the lead, I like the idea of £250 fine! And make it a rule that dogs have to wear a harness not just a collar, so they can't slip out of a collar. I suppose there is always the strong dog with a weak owner, but they should know if the dog is likely to chase something and not take it at all.
Ban dogs off the lead, I like the idea of £250 fine! And make it a rule that dogs have to wear a harness not just a collar, so they can't slip out of a collar. I suppose there is always the strong dog with a weak owner, but they should know if the dog is likely to chase something and not take it at all.
scats
Well-Known Member
I think this would cause a lot of problems for many volunteers. I wonder if they should maybe say no dogs to public or competitors, but allow volunteers to bring theirs. Each volunteer would declare what dogs they had with them upon arrival. Or even allow dogs with competitors too, but again, each dog would have to be declared on entry to showground and a hefty fine is given if that dog is loose at any point.
No idea if that would work, but just a musing.
Scotsbadboy
Well-Known Member
I say ban them. Watching that video made me so angry. People do not need to take dogs to a horse event, its not a dog show its a horse show! People throwing their tantrum saying they wont volunteer or go to these events if they cant take their dog .. see ya, bye!
You cant take your pet pooch to Crufts or Olympia so why should you take it (why would you want to!) to any other horse event! I love having my dog with me but country fairs/ horse events .. no thanks i'd rather have just myself to look after and enjoy the day.
You cant take your pet pooch to Crufts or Olympia so why should you take it (why would you want to!) to any other horse event! I love having my dog with me but country fairs/ horse events .. no thanks i'd rather have just myself to look after and enjoy the day.
SatansLittleHelper
Well-Known Member
I have no idea if there is already such a thing in place but could there be a pop up kennel system for volunteers to leave their dogs while they are busy.. ? I realise it's possibly not ideal but people could go to their dogs during breaks etc and it would be better than leaving the dogs at home..??
Cortez
Tough but Fair
Do what everybody else does when leaving a dog for travel: kennels, or get someone to walk it.
Goldenstar
Well-Known Member
I won’t do It, simple as that I don’t need to volunteer.
Goldenstar
Well-Known Member
There’s no way I would leave my dog in such a situation .
Lexi_
Well-Known Member
In my experience, it’s never been volunteer dogs that have been the issue - they tend to stay in or around the cars, nice and secure.
It’s always been dogs belonging to competitors, and occasionally spectators. Oh, and the owners of the big house ?
It’s always been dogs belonging to competitors, and occasionally spectators. Oh, and the owners of the big house ?
Xmasha
Well-Known Member
I dont think there should be an outright ban. Dogs are part and parcel of the countryside, but they should be banned from the xc course when the competition is in full flow.