Should dogs be banned at major events? NEW POLL - ignore the previous thread/poll

Should dogs be banned at major events?

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Sixteen Hands

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Apologies, please ignore the previous thread and poll on this subject as the question was misleading given the thread title. Embarrassing, I know, however I do believe that it is an important subject that needs discussion and therefore I’ve started a new thread after various suggestions to do so. As they say, many thanks for your patience and understanding!


I Originally put the poll in this section so that it doesn't get lost too quickly and hopefully gets maximum responses.

At the cross-country phase of the Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials a loose dog ran from the crowd as a competitor, having jumped fence 14 was coming around the corner to approach fence 15 the first water complex.

It caused the horse to swerve and continued chasing it as it approached the fence. The horse and rider got through the complex, but then the dog continued chasing the horse through the water. Clearly the rider and horse were aware of the presence of the dog. Attempting fence 16 the horse had a run out. A member of the public wrestled the dog to the ground and put a makeshift lead around its neck with what looked like his trouser belt.

Later in the afternoon, there was a call over the tannoy system for the owners to reclaim a lost dog which had made its way to one of the catering outlets.

I also saw later in the afternoon some dog events in one of the smaller arenas where all the dogs were under control.

The majority of dogs at the event were under control and well-behaved.

But is it fair to the competitors, many of which are at international level, that they may be disadvantaged by a loose dog, which may not only alter their position but ultimately affect the safety of the horse and rider?

Dogs weren't allowed at the Olympics. Spectators had the choice to attend with their dogs or not. Riders competed with the same chance and spectators seemed very happy.

It really is an open question. Should dogs be banned at major events?

Over to you!
 
I think it would be a shame to ban them completely as most owners are responsible and its only the minority who spoil it for everyone else.

Maybe they could consider imposing hefty fines on anyone losing control of their dog or letting it cause any type of nuisance.
 
Yes I think they should be banned, if someone has trained their horse and themselves for months, spent one hell of a lot of money doing so, plus the cost of entering... then it will not hurt people to leave their dog at home for that one day, even if its a small chance it can ruin it for someone..

and those who state ''but my dog enjoys it'' but you dog does not know your going, therefor will not miss being there, put yourself in the riders place, how would you feel if a dog ran out on you, put you and your horse of and totally ruined months of training...
 
Yes possibly, I don't know enough about the legalities to say. Although private owners can impose parking fees on their premises can't they, so this could be similar? I think it might work as a deterrent, especially if people only get their dog back once the monies are paid up.

Be interested to hear some of the riders views as they are the ones who are affected.
 
I voted yes. I do feel for the people who have well behaved dogs but I don't think that outweighs the problems/risks posed by out of control dogs. And I can't help thinking that people would quite likely have a better day if they weren't constantly worrying about their dog being hydrated/fed/too hot/over-excited. It would be nice if problem dogs could be effectively policed but if that was possible it would probably have been done by now.
 
I voted yes to ban dogs at major events.
I was at Blenheim when the dog got loose. The loose dog clearly had an effect on the horse and rider, and likely contributed to the run out. Felt so sorry for them.
There had been a dog loose earlier in the day by the water as well, along with requests from the announcers to keep dogs under control.

I hope the owner of the loose dog did as the announcer suggested and donated a large sum of money to an animal walfare charity.
 
How interesting, now that we've stopped tripping over ourselves, and our thoughts, there's a clear leaning towards dogs being banned. Rightly so, in my view. I care about my dog's well being, and would never inflict such events upon them.

Alec.
 
Hard one, will it just mean people are stupid and leave them in the car. Yes we saw dogs at Blenheim who were hot and were bring dragged around but then we saw a lot of people who were so sensible. Someone with a Goldie puppy and an Oder adult were under a cool tree enjoying the breeze. Lots of lovely dogs had a fab time with their owners. And yet some were intent on dragging them around the shopping. Maybe dog free zones e.g. Pay at the dog crèche say at shopping village between 10 am and four
 
I've always thought that the big events are no place for dogs (except for guide dogs). I also thought I was in the minority for thinking this, seems perhaps not!
 
I'm not overly fussed about dogs under control on proper leads but the ones on flexi-leads are just dangerous. I would however, put a blanet ban on children attending compeitions! Nothing worse than having daddy's spoilt little brat come running over, heedless of the fact that they are running around behind big horses legs, to come and pat my little pony because he is the smallest there. And then scream when I as them to leave him alone and that no, they are not getting to ride him. But that's a different thread entirely :D
 
Yes. I am fed up with seeing dogs tied to boxes bark at everything that walks past especially JR's. As for those who chase horses on the XC words fail me.
What will it take a fatality to make people understand if they aren't prepared to control their dog then leave it at home or with a friend.
 
Yes most definately. However for those who continue to ignore such a ban a dog creche could be in place outside the public entrance. Often at Ch dog shows these are run by local dog charities and for a fee the dogs should be left there.
 
But why oh why yet again do we allow the MINORITY to spoil it for the MAJORITY!!!

I am getting really fed up with all these bans/red tape/hoops to jump through because of the "minority".

Ban them from the shopping and fine the Owner of any loose dogs and that way only the owners that don't ahdere/think about their dogs suffer.
 
Alec Swan said:
How interesting, now that we've stopped tripping over ourselves, and our thoughts, there's a clear leaning towards dogs being banned. Rightly so, in my view. I care about my dog's well being, and would never inflict such events upon them.

Alec.
Click to expand...
I agree, I stood on a couple of dogs at burghley and felt so guilty, it was hot and they we laying down amongst the crowds whilst owners stood talking.
 
I would never dream of taking my dog to an event like that. Firstly he would get hot and fed up. Take him round crammed shopping and he would have either have bitten someone for treading on him, or start a fight with another dog.

And as for tying him up to a lorry whilst competing... I couldn't do it. I would be worried sick all the time I was away from him that he would escape abd run off, never to be seen again
 
I voted yes, its a shame that the dogs who enjoy it would not be able to attend but having watch some of the videos of events the barking in the background did not sound like happy dogs. On a different note i went to the para dressage and a lady was trying to take her dog in to watch, it wasn't a guide hearing etc dog she just said it liked horses. Surprisingly enough it didn't get in.
 
Yes, I think they should be banned because many owners are not responsible for them.
I stayed on the caravan park. The letter which you receive with your tickets states "dogs are welcome but must be on leads at ALL times." There is a notice on the site managers tent saying the same, and their are permanent signs around the grounds. People blatantley ignore the rules which I think is very rude and an insult to the Duke, the event organisers, competitors and other attendees who respect this lovely event and the beautiful grounds.
People from the caravan park were excercising their loose dogs in the vicinity of the gallops and the dressage schooling arena!! One morning there was a PACK OF FOUR German Shepherd type dogs and a Jack Russell running riot adjacent the gallops and horse walk. The other favourite seems to be letting the dog stop behind to go to the toilet, the owner walking on in front pretending to be unaware that their dog has left a big pile for someone else to kleen up. I also heard someone tell someone not to touch a certain Jack Russell as it would bite but the dog was not muzzled. The onus should be about the competitors who have trained hard for this event, and their safety, as well as the safety of all.
 
maisie2011 said:
Only the yappy rat-dogs:D
Click to expand...

Exactly what I was thinking :o Noisy JRT esp. For some reason owner seem to feel that, because they're little and cute (according the owner), they can be badly behaved with impunity?! Rarely ever see issues with gundog types!!

I don't think banning dogs would be the way to go as they are a family member to most horsey people. Very few horsey people don't have dogs!

But there should be rules on behaviour (and fines for breaking them?) and extending leads should be banned.

Charging for dog admission maybe? Our black lab loves going to events etc and we'd happily pay for her to enter too. That might weed out those only bringing their dog along 'because it can'?
 
Yes. Nearly every dog I saw walking around Burghley looked very tired and panting hard, poor things. I don't think it is fair on an animal to put them into such a crowded environment, myself and the people I was with were constantly on the look out not to tread on paws or walk into animals.
 
Yes they should be banned.

If you cant leave your dog in the house to go to a horse event you shouldnt be going. You leave your dog in the house/kennel when you go to work why is a horse event any different.

I would have NEVER taken my dog to a horse event. He was big and a gundog and no WAY would I have been able to stop him chasing a running horse should he have gotten away from me. So that sealed it for me I didnt have COMPLETE control in ALL situation so he stayed at home.

If I had spent thousands of pounds to buy/train/advance to the level of these proffs and some dog ruined my day i think I would be suing the venue and/or pressing dangerous dog charges against the owner.
 
A professional rider is experienced enough to control their horse when a dog gets loose. A teenager in a BE90 may not. Ban dogs from everywhere, at all events, apart from the lorry park and they must not bark endlessly, disturbing and upsetting horses. Event organisers have a duty of care and could be implicated if a rider is hurt. In my opinion a ban is long overdue. Some people bring mini-packs and it is ridiculous.

I think a big problem is people walking the XC course with a pack of dogs whilst inexperienced horses with nervous youngsters try and get their horses round. Walking 15 feet away from a fence with 3 "wolves" totally distracts a flight animal!!
 
See usually to go around shops at Burghley for example child and dog are put in creche for shopping and walk the course with me. Having child and dog we usually arrive late, do not crowd near fences (as a child giving a running cometary is as annoying as a barking dog). So as far as dog and child are aware it is another walk in the countryside for mum it is a great day out.

Having said that I know my dog does not bark at or chase horses, pull on the lead, leave my heal in crowds and I am confident I can stop and recall her from even the most juicy prey. And same for my child :D

Yet it will be shame if I can not go to major events as dog is left maximum 6 hours alone (yes I work) and nobody to leave her with. I could afford either a day with her in the kennels or the day out. Ho hum. I doubt my opinion will make an iota of difference.
 
I have to say that I agree with banning dogs at most events where horses are, although I know it will not be popular. At local shows the flipping things get loose, get caught up with leads round peoples legs, start fights with other dogs etc. etc. I also think that there are other times when dogs are just not appropriate, there have been a few times when we have been setting up for shows and people have brought their dogs, cue fights among the dogs, dogs running off the show ground and getting on the road, getting in with livestock and chasing. The people take their dogs seem to be the ones who have least control over them! :eek:
 
I vote no, I take my dogs, and I camp at Badminton. And my dogs are completely under control at all times. And would never run after a horse. I have seen a dog get loose and chase riders, transpired it was another competitors dog, and that was at 4*! Unfortunately you will always get idiot people, they are the same muppets who ignore the stewards and run across the course, not at official crossings, the same idiots who ignore the whistles, the same idiots who walk the course for their class forgetting that another class is ongoing. I lose count of the times I have had to swerve while competing to avoid someone who is wandering about my course. Perhaps we ban them as they are far far far more prevalent than dogs on the lose and I suspect more dangerous. A dog can run fast, those muppets just seem oblivious and freeze. Also if dogs are being banned then to be honest young children should also be banned, I see so many being dragged round, over heated, over tired and screaming, and they do run away and get in peoples way. Banning dogs would mean I and my family would not attend and I am sure it would mean that for the majority. It is not the same as leaving the dogs at home, while you are at work, if i attend Badminton I am away for 4 days, my dogs come too. I take them on camping holidays with me they love it. But then I do not take them into the shops with me, they go in the creche for a couple of hours. Other than that they are walking the course, lying in the sun watching the big screen or meeting and greeting their public. And they enjoy it.
 
I voted yes. I'm fed up standing on dog poop which should be picked up and tripping over stretchy lead thingies. I have a mutt who stays at home when I go to events. I know if he got off he would chase horses, want to play with other dogs and would certainly jump up on people to lick faces etc No safer for him to stay at home. Doing this means I can enjoy myself without worrying about him. Also I would be looking for some compensation if I were a rider who had a dog chase me while I was competing. Don't know who from though - organisers or dog owner.:confused:
 
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