I was returning from a lovely day after shopping for holiday items around 8.30 pm and commented to hubby 'ah bless look at that yorkie sat there he's had enough bless him' the lad around 20'ish' appeared patient and just stood waiting holding the lead.  However, when I got by him I looked in the rear view mirror and noted the young lad pick the dog up and hit him.  I slowed down indicating and again he put him on the floor and again he wouldn't walk and again he picked him up and hit him, by now I'm livid and turned the corner to park safely got out and calmly said to young man, 'doesn't he want to walk' he just glared at me, I said sometimes they don't but if you turn it into a game and coax him or with titbits he'll soon get the hang of it.  A mouthful of abuse followed with a lot of F words and I said just please don't hit your dog it won't do him any good and he said it's none of your 'f'ing business, I said unfortunately you've made it my business by hitting your dog in front of me and he just said i'll do what I want and I said I will to then and may have to report you to which he replied do it and see what happens to you!  By now my husband has got out of the car and said you are a big man hiding behind your mouth aren't you when you can threaten women and hit small dogs.  I could do no more than to cry as the poor little dog was dragged away, I came home and have been out again but cannot see him do not know him and although I refer to the dog as a he I'm not even sure of that.  God bless that dog, I'm now so worried I've made it worse for the dog, I can't get this out of my head.  I walked my dog up the road just to show him that although he's far from perfect he's happy and carefree.

How bloody horrible for you :( You see some sights and it just goes to show you may own a dog but it doesn't make you a doglover.

You did your best and rest easy.

:( Sarah

Hi there

To be honest, in this situation attack is the best form of defence and I think this young lad was giving you abuse because he knew he was in the wrong when pointed it out to him and he was embarrassed!!  He might have dragged the dog away but, human nature being what it is, you WILL have given him something to think about and he will think twice before doing that again in public.  What happens in private you can't do anything about but I think you did good here.  I would have done the same if it is any consolation!!!  Don't beat yourself up about this.  There are lots of people out there who are misguided when it comes to dogs and you just can't reach everyone.  Perhaps he was really hacked off because his parents had asked him to take the dog out.  Don't despair!!!

Kind wishes
Annie

Hi
I fully agree, please don't despair.
Why do people have to act like this to a dog and revert to swearing is just awful and I feel for you.
You did the right thing and he will have taken notice even though he was rude.
In my eyes you're a wonderful, caring lady.

Regards
Stu

thank you all for your messages, I just wish i could say I felt better but right now I keep thinking of that poor dog, even driving home from work this evening, I know time will lessen my pain and although I'm not ignorant and know child and animal cruelty exists I think until you see it or until I see it, it's not real.  Thanks again I'm glad I did the right thing in other peoples eyes though x

Craigles. I can fully understand why you said someting to this man. Id have done the same. Which I did once to a gypsy who was beating his horse as it wouldnt pull the cart. The poor thing obviously scared of the traffic.
Everyone stood watching as they were scared to say anything. I did say something ans was threatened by the gypsy so was my husband.
The only regret I had was would he take this out on the horse when he got back.