Entitled Family In Park Thinks They Can Just Snatch Up Dog They Like, Owner Horrified

While we’re not sure who first said “Don’t get between a man and his dog,” the proverb would be a wise one to put into action. Dogs and their owners are typically fiercely loyal to one another, and it’s a bond that’s stood the test of time.

One dog owner’s peaceful trip to the park with his couple of canines was turned on its head when some kids tried to hijack one of his pups. In his attempt to stop them, though, the parents threatened him. He shared his story with an online community.

More info: Reddit

It’s never a good idea to test the bond between a dog and its owner, as this guy was quick to demonstrate

Small brown and white dog standing on grass in a park, alert and looking towards people nearby.

Image credits: wirestock / Freepik (not the actual photo)

While he was taking his dogs for a walk at the local park, one of his pups ran off towards a family that was about to leave

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Dog at park with owner holding treats and toys, kids nearby, capturing a tense moment of an attempted dog theft.

Park scene with kids and families playing volleyball and dogs running in an open space near families and children.

Kids at park almost steal dog while owner tries to stop them and parents say kids deserve it in heated moment.

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Child playing with dog at park as owner tries to stop them, parents say kids deserve it after attempted dog theft.

Young boy in a park gently hugging a small dog, capturing a moment before a dog almost gets stolen by kids.

Image credits: freepik / Freepik (not the actual photo)

To his absolute horror, he then saw the family trying to pack up his dog and drive away with it

Kids running and playing near a jungle gym while adults try to gather them into a van at a park.

Dog almost gets stolen by kids at park while owner tries to stop them and parents respond controversially.

Dog at park almost gets stolen by kids while owner tries to stop them, parents say they deserve it.

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Text message showing a dog owner insisting the dog is theirs after kids almost tried to steal the dog at park.

Children at a park reaching for a small dog while the owner tries to stop them, illustrating a near dog theft incident.

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Man with beard and sunglasses leaning against a white van, reflecting on a dog almost stolen by kids at the park incident.

Image credits: rawpixel.com / Freepik (not the actual photo)

When he caught up with them, two men got out of the car and started threatening him with violence, and then the kids’ mother said the kid “deserved it”

Text saying a person demands their dog back after kids almost stole it at the park, with parents saying they deserve it.

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Kids at park nearly taking dog while owner tries to stop them as parents say they deserve it

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Kids at park trying to take dog as owner intervenes, with parents saying they deserve it for their actions.

Children at a park reaching for a dog while the owner tries to prevent the dog from being taken by kids.

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Dog almost gets stolen at park by kids while owner tries to stop them and parents say they deserve it.

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Image credits: SugarySpaceSprinkles

Much to the guy’s relief, two women who’d seen everything stepped in and laid down the facts, leaving the family to get in their car and make a hasty getaway without the doggo

The story begins when OP took his two pups—a 14-year-old Chihuahua and a 4-year-old Cheagle—for a fun park day and a bit of exercise. The weather was perfect, the dogs were excited, but things turned tense when one of his dogs, the playful (but unruly) Cheagle, ran off toward a nearby family loading into their van.

This little Cheagle, affectionately nicknamed “Fish Butt” for her wiggly hips, just wanted to join the fun. While OP tried calling her back, one of the kids began petting her, but their mom did the unthinkable: she picked up the dog and put her in the kid’s arms. Then, she tried to leave with her.

OP hobbled over with his cane, yelling that the dog was his. But instead of apologizing, the dad got out of the car and blocked him, a second man got aggressive, and the mom shouted, “You already have a dog!” as if that justified dognapping someone else’s pet. The second man even claimed, “We adopted him. Legally.” Except, no—they didn’t.

Just as things got dangerously heated, two women nearby stepped in. They’d seen everything and stood up for OP. Under pressure, the father handed the dog back. The child sadly waved goodbye to the pup they almost stole, and the dog ran back to OP, tail wagging furiously and dognapping narrowly avoided.

OP had quite the close call—the family clearly felt entitled to his beloved Cheagle and were even ready to fight for it. Just how much of a problem is dognapping, though? We went looking for answers.

Family walking by a river in a park where a dog almost gets stolen by kids, parents say they deserve it.

Image credits: EyeEm / Freepik (not the actual photo)

In her article for The Guardian, Hannah Al-Othman writes that pet theft is increasing across the UK. Data from the insurer Direct Line suggested dog thefts had increased by 6% between 2022 and 2023, with English and French bulldogs—regularly sold for about £3,000—among the most frequently targeted breeds.

According to Al-Othman, last year the previous government introduced the Pet Abduction Act, creating specific offenses of dog and cat abduction and introducing compulsory microchipping.

Pet theft is primarily a commercial crime, says Sadie Cornelius, a writer for CanineJournal.  

“Most dogs are stolen by dog flippers: people who realize the high monetary value of specific breeds and can re-sell them as pets for a significant profit,” says Cornelius.

According to the Four Paws website, there are a number of ways to keep your pets safe from theft. Some of these include not leaving your pet unattended in public, securing outdoor areas, installing a security system, hiring trusted dog walkers, and microchipping your pet as soon as possible. 

Perhaps OP would do well to heed netizens’ advice and use a gated dog park for his cheeky Cheagle. It would’ve saved him a lot of fuss and bother and kept the rambunctious pup safe, something it seems to have a bit of a problem doing by itself.

What would you have done if you’d found yourself in OP’s shoes? Do you think the situation would’ve escalated if the two witnesses hadn’t stepped in? Let us know your opinion in the comments!

In the comments, readers were divided, with some taking the guy’s side and others saying dogs that can’t behave should be kept on a leash

Comments discussing dog safety at parks after a dog almost gets stolen by kids and owners warn about leash use.

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Screenshot of a Reddit comment discussing dangers of letting a dog with poor recall off leash in a public park.

Comment warning about dog safety at park, discussing how untrained dogs off leash risk being stolen by kids.

Comment discussing dog owners’ responsibility after a dog almost gets stolen by kids at a park.

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Comment discussing the importance of training a dog to return when called after a near theft incident at a park.

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