Dogs at local flying site

[Jez N]

Ultimately that dog was out of control and the owner was nowhere to be seen. Completely irresponsible dog ownership. Dogs unlike cats are the owners responsibility and you are liable for there actions. If you allow them to run around like that and they cause damage you can be prosecuted. Likewise we as heli owners have a responsibility to the public and should ensure others safety as well as our own. I personally think you did well in that situation to get out of trouble. I find it interesting though how many people who are flying at clubs are doing so on public land or with public rights of way across where they fly. Always imagined most clubs would be on private land so as to avoid these risks/nuisances.

[Varelco]

You did everything you can. I'd definitely say you're the victim in this. Ultimately you have just as much right to be in that public place as anybody else.

[TotalStratus]

Re: Dogs at local flying site

I agree the dog should be under the control of their owners. As should our helicopters. With something as intrinsically unreliable as a model helicopter I would suggest its somewhat misguided to fly one in a public area in the knowledge that animals and people will be there.
Yes my dogs can run rather rapidly, and somewhat quicker than most of us. But certainly nowhere near the speed of a thrown main blade or even a heli with a control issue. Can we guarantee our models complete control - no

[maddog7]

I love my dog to bits and would do anything to protect her but as is stated by others she needs to be able to run about at times (we all do)
One thing I dont think has been touched upon is the element of surprise to the dog.
I've flown RC for 15 years but I have never personally seen anyone flying models in any park anywhere. If I took my dog for a walk I genuinely would not have a clue how she would react if she came upon a flying model. She might spook and run off, be hit by a car crossing the road or try and attack the model, I really don't know (though I'd suspect she'd be totally unfazed)

One thing I do know, if she did react badly I'd run the 100 in 9.5s to get a hold of her and hopefully avert whatever was going happen.

Being a mountain biker I know only too well how ignorant some dog owners are, I don't expect them to be mind readers but I do expect them to react in a timely fashion if their dog is gonna run into trouble. I too fly on a shared use site and for the most part the dog owners are sensible but we had one only yesterday walk straight under a model.

I dont think the OP could have done much differently to make the situation any better, I can have a short fuse and would have been shouting at the dog owner to get his dog the 4uc7 out of the way, anything other than complete complaince would probably result in "action" toward the owner.

The OP remained calm and did his best, as someone else said, perhaps run the dog to one end of the field and blast back to the other, land and hope for the best?

I could personally never fly in that sort of situation though, too many people about for me. I like to be as far away from people as possible.

[sp4rky-m4rky]

Only just getting to the end of my rebuild, still finding damage. Gears damaged on a cyclic servo and fitting a new feathering shaft to be safe. I didnt see the strike so hard to gauge the force. Stupid dog, just want to fly.

[moyesboy]

if you hit thriottle hold at 3-4 feet and feed in full pitch a 450 will pretty much drop on the floor with the blades almost stationary and no damage (over grass), so taking the heli a long way away (with the dog after it) and bringing it back smartly into a switft if untidy auto should enable you to pick it up before a dog gets to it.... I didn't see your vid though...

[sp4rky-m4rky]

Probably what I will aim for next time. Cant say I was expecting this or prepared for it. It seems wherever you fly, there is always the risk of a crazed dog. If there is something people can learn from this, its to be prepared and have a plan like this in the back of your mind. Almost fixed up now and ready to take on the next dog.

[jimmyhorns]

Cant see the Vid

[tomatwalden]

Cant see the Vid

It's been made private by the look of things. I watched it yesterday and I'll admit that by the end of the vid, I was getting pretty annoyed with the dog. Not keen on small yappy things at the best of times. The "thwack" and corresponding "ouch" sound from the dog did sound pretty horrible mind. Suspect it'll think twice next time it sees a heli ...

[pchristy]

I'll bet you'll find a sign telling dog owners to keep their dogs on a lead, if you look! Must public parks do, and most dog owners ignore it. As long as there are no bye-laws prohibiting model flying there (and you say there aren't) then you have as much right to be there as anyone else.

Credit to the dog owner for putting his hand in his pocket, but I'll bet he would have a shock if he knew the *real* cost of repairs - not to mention the potential vets bill!

I had a similar experience many years ago, but now I'm lucky enough to have access to club sites where the issue just doen't arise. But unlike 20+ years ago, the difficulties faced in flying on public sites these days just goes to illustrate how over-crowded our little island has become!

[PorscheBoy]

I own two big labs which to a large extent are under control (except when Jimmyhorns comes round, they think he is a saltlick!) and will come when called. That is what is called being a responsible dog owner. My dogs love kids, but they will only go up to kids if allowed. It is far more of an issue if a dog runs upto a kid and nudges him whilst sniffing as most parents will shout that your dog bit the kid which is blatantly unfair but to be expected.
I have now trained my dogs that my heli is a no go item and they would see all heli's as that.
It's about being a responsible dog owner.

A while back I was about to spool up for a test hover when I saw a woman with her dog (and I do know her as well) so I shut the heli down and said "you go ahead I'll wait for you to get away as the heli is very dangerous". She threw the dogs ball right away from me and off she went with the dog. I did my re checks and spooled up, just as I lifted off a tennis ball rolled up to my skids swiftly followed by a golden retriever, I had no choice but to go up. She wandered over and I explained she needed to get her dog away (I had only been flying for a few weeks so was reasonably confident in a 4 foot hover but any higher and mmmmm...). She got her dog, smiled and went off. Moral: Explaining to people doesn't always work.

[aparkin]

doh ! i want to see the vid as well

[BenScoobert]

It doesn't matter how far you fly from people, you can't stop stupidity and ignorance.
I have the pleasure of having around 100 acres to choose from to fly in, yesterday imbecile and his 9 Labradors strolled through the field 100 metres from us and about 70m from the heli. None of them on a lead. All left to $hit in the field, which causes the cows to miscarry and have to be destroyed, but that's another story and lawsuit unfolding.
If I was to end up hitting one of his dogs I'd feel sorry for the dog but the owner would get a piece of my mind.
I take my dog flying, but with 1 command or even a gesture he is by my side, no matter the distraction, if you can't train your dog like that then it is not fit to be off a lead anywhere except private land.

[sp4rky-m4rky]

Yes sorry I made the video private again as a number of people had seen it but I was concerned about it getting too much coverage. I dont know if there is any risk but was concerned it was going to get the attention of someone who would not see if from my perspective.

My 450 is all fixed up now, the extent of the damage was a broken blade, broken DFC link and a damaged boom support strut. I was happy to find the broken strut since I believe this is what was likely to have broken the blade, not the impact with the dog. The impact when the dog attacked knocked the blade back allowing it to strike the boom support. This was good since I was concerned that the dog may be suffering if the impact was enough to break a blade.

The repair bill came to almost exactly £20 which seems more than I normally like to admit to myself and especially for such a light impact. At least it was covered by the money from the dogs owner. Would have rather not had to spend the time rebuilding and checking everything over however.

[sp4rky-m4rky]

stupid dog copy.jpghere, a quick image of the offending dog