Unfortunately last week I was bitten by a dog at parkrun. It was as we started the run and the dog was taking part in the parkrun. The owner had followed instructions about being on a hand held lead. Having checked there is no other guidance about where to stand at the start or during the run. Nor is there any information from parkrun on what happens if you’re bitten by a dog at parkrun, or what to do if your dog bites. This is my experience.
Before I was Bitten
Starting three rows from the front, somehow I had found myself in the middle of the runners (horizontally). As it started on a big wide open field I didn’t think much of it – as these kind of starts never seem to be a problem.
In front of me were a couple with dogs yapping away eager to go. Again never had a problem so didn’t think much of it. Apparently the couple had had a discussion about who was running with which dog before the 3, 2, 1, Go, based on pace.
However, the little white dog was not happy that his lady owner was unable to run as quick as it would like. Running alongside (but not too close) I made a friendly comment of this nature, and in turn had a friendly reply.
The Bite Itself
Unfortunately, the dog then lurched at me and went for my knee. Whilst still both running the owner pulled the dog away but nothing was said.
Honestly I was quite in shock. Didn’t really know I had been bitten at first as nothing was said. Not just by the owner, or by anyone around me. It was just like it was one of those things. Even the dog coming at me had thrown me a bit. Again, I know it’s really silly but we had travelled quite a way and so I just wanted to complete the event, so just kept going. In fact I probably then tried to speed up a bit to get away from the dog.
Realising I had Been Bitten
My knee hurt a bit and I kept looking around but no-one else seem to be reacting like anything had happened. This made me feel like it couldn’t have been a bite. My husband was quite far in front by this point and I didn’t actually know anyone around me.
As I was jeffing when I stopped for the walking section I put my hand on my knee just to ease the pain a bit. That’s when I noticed the blood on my hand from my knee, so knew that I had been bitten.
Reporting Being Bitten to a marshal at parkrun
The first marshal felt such a long way away. It actually made me consider that maybe I should carry my own bit of kit at parkrun – even if it is just steri wipes! However, I stopped and let her know I had been bitten. She advised that it was up to me if I ran and that I could be cleaned up back at the start. She radioed the run director and let him know. At this point I assumed that the dog was behind me, as the lady was slower than me. So described the dog and said it was running with a lady.
Continuing Jeffing
After I had finished the first loop I saw the Run Director at the finish. By this point I had probably been Jeffing for around 10 minutes. Therefore, I just let him know that I had been bitten and that I would come back over after I had finished if that was okay. Turns out he already knew.
So off I went the whole time just in shock. The words, “I have been bitten” going over and over in my head. But also the sickening realisation that I was most likely going to need to get a tetanus shot. For those who do not know, I have a needle phobia.
The End
Right before the end I saw someone with a white dog on the path. But it wasn’t a woman so I figured it couldn’t have been the dog. Although it did make me feel really nervous.
Somehow at the finish I still managed some sort of sprint. Of course my husband was there to cheer me on and take my photo. After I collected my finish token I just broke! Falling to the ground, crying and touching my knee. The shock I think had just carried me round.
My husband saw the blood on my knee and assumed I had fallen or something. He wasn’t expecting me to say that I had been bitten.
The Dog Switch
Sitting on the grass near the finish a volunteer was cleaning my knee. Looking up I saw a lady finishing with a dog that caught my attention. However, the dog was black that she had, and I remember thinking, oh no that can’t be her it was definitely white.
Everyone is looking for this lady with a white dog but nothing. But then it transpires that the couple had switched dogs! That the man had taken the white one and finished in front of my husband. Plus after the woman had finished, the man who had taken the white dog was in a bit of a hurry to get her to leave!
Parkrun Stance on Being Bitten by a parkrunner’s Dog
Given the new information I had about the owner and dogs I went back to the run director. The couple had also told someone where they were from. Therefore, may have been identifiable (they were). However the run director stated that they had gone now, so there was nothing more he could do. He had taken my parkrun ID number and would log it as an incident.
Since then I messaged parkrun support as advised by someone else. Personally I felt like I was over-reacting just because it had made me bleed. Someone at the parkrun had stated that it was “what dogs do!” But it was pointed out what if this were a child. There was no post on social media or anything about it so I was concerned that the owners may not know.
Parkrun have since replied saying it is policy to keep it off social media. That they will add the information I gave them to the incident. Hopefully this is the parkrunner ID numbers that I sent them. Unfortunately though, they will not be getting in touch with the owners!
Medical Treatment after Being Bitten
We paid for a parking by a nearby walk-in medical centre. Unfortunately they said all they could offer were antibiotics. That there would be an hour wait and they couldn’t even clean it. However, they did give us information on a minor injuries, a 20 minute drive away.
In the end we returned home and through NHS 111 booked into our local minor injuries. There I was given dressing, antibiotics and the tetanus shot I feared. Lots and lots of advice – including the fact that I can’t get it wet for five days.
Loss of Earnings
Luckily I only had one shift at work this week on the rotor. However, I have already turned down two additional shifts due to the pain in my leg. Fingers crossed that my actual shift goes okay. Luckily it is only three hours.
Reporting the Dog Bite
This really felt like such a minor incident that I did not report it to the police or local council. Not being at home, and nor were the owners, I am not even clear on which council it should be reported to if at all. However, I do feel like I was questioned many times about whether it was my dog and whether there were children around. When the actual owners can just go about their business.
The Owners
Hopefully it was a one off and that the owners WERE aware and will do something to prevent it in the future. Whether that is leaving the dog at home, using a muzzle or simply not starting in the middle of the pack!
Personally I am very sad that I have not had any kind of apology or concern.
It is now 4 days since I was bitten and I have not been able to carry on with the things I would normally do.
Volunteers
With thanks to the volunteers at parkrun who reassured me, cleaned me up and reported the incident. I apologised then for being an inconvenience as I appreciate that they weren’t expecting that when offering to give up their time.