Dogs off the lead in children’s play areas

A lot of toddler owners think it's cute for them to run up and paw at other people's dogs.

How often do you find yourself licked by other people's dogs? Because I'm in my sixties and can't remember a time that's ever happened to me. Do you go around with bacon on your legs?

That’s my point though, I wouldn’t let my toddler wander up and lick you! Yet somehow a lot of dog owners think it’s cute for them to run up and lick/paw at strangers!

I’d be mortified if my child infringed on the peace and quiet of a stranger, why are dog owners not similarly wired?!

Oh dear.

I wouldn’t allow it no, my dog would just follow me at a reasonable distance he is trained to be a horse riding companion and to be neutral unless he is allowed to greet people or other dogs.

the law states that you must be in control of your dog at all times it does not specify needing to be on lead. That said if clearly stated I would put him on one.

i have also had the other side of it though walkers screaming at me that their child/ mum/ sister, is afraid of my horse/ dog while being on a bridal path, and both being completely under control. I think there are alot of very entitled people in the world who believe everything is about them.

Yes, the one who isn’t afraid to call a dog a cunt.

Ah yes, I remember you now from all the previous dog threads.

Never seen a toddler lick a stranger.

Or gobble down a shit, lick its own bollocks, vomit up the shit, re-gobble the shitvomit, then lick a stranger.

That’s just a tuesday for dogs though.

Well firstly, I'm not a dog owner and secondly I would rather be licked by a dog than licked and pawed at by your toddler.

I agree with you that dogs should be kept away from children's playgrounds. I never said otherwise.0

Why lie?

When i was out with a friend & our kids years ago, a dog ran up & was quite excitable around us. Her dds were terrified of dogs so started screaming & crying. My yelled at the owner "come and get your dog!!!" She was normally quite shy! The owners needed be told firmly

Say there’s melted chocolate I. The grass and choc biscuits or whatever- leave a wrapper around as proof

I take it you’re not a dog person😂

The entitlement of dog owners truly knows no bounds! Would you like it if my toddler came and licked you? Or pawed you with their sticky fingers?!

Keep your “fur babies”on leads and away from children’s playgrounds!

Agree with this. I’m actually quite surprised there’s nothing preventing dogs from being in a playground. Assuming it’s owned and run by council/county council, I wouldn’t be surprised if they’re leaving themselves wide open for being held at least partially accountable if anything was to go wrong.

Dogs should not be in children's playgrounds. Usually all the ones I go to there are signs to say no dogs. I agree with a pp to speak to the country park admin and explain what has happened, the danger to children and lack of fencing and signage. Hopefully they will take action. As an aside I was at our fenced and signed playpark the other weekend and some total idiot brought his XL BULLY dog into the playpark (unmuzzled and on a stupid rope lead, not even a proper lead). We exited quickly and I resisted the urge to run with my four year old. The man looked rough as anything so no way was I even attempting to engage in conversation.

@Runnersknee very large dog owner here, who has a friendly dog. At no point is off the lead in a public place, let alone a Childs play park.

No dog irrespective of size should ever be off the lead in area children are playing enclosed or not. At 65kg I won't even let my dog off in a open field. He has good recall, he sticks to you like glue. But is friendly and that can be jarring for anyone dog lovers or not due to his size for him secure dog fields are where he is off lead.

And if you see someone with a small or big dog off lead in a childrens play park tell them to recall the dog and put it on the lead.

Go equipped.

To make it impossible for the hideous little prick to draw toddler blood. Or parent blood. Or lick them with its disgusting shit-gobbling / bollock licking mouth.

That’s all well and good but a huge Doberman coming up to you putting their jaws and sharp teeth very close to your face or hands or whatever - the few seconds prior how do you know at that moment it’s going to lick rather than bite. Especially if you’re not used to dogs.

Is there are no signs saying dogs on leads or no dogs I would’ve assumed dogs are allowed there. There are lots of country parks near us where natural type play equipment is open without fences and my off lead dog is with myself children and I.

although you are still expected to have control of your dog and I wouldn’t have let my dog go up to or lick anyone. Obviously it’s different if the kids or adults want to fuss the dog he is allowed to be friendly then.

"As a side note, does anyone have any advice on how to handle this if it happens again? "

Use your words and ask the owners to put the dogs on leads.

@ViaRia01 I'm sorry you're upset by my post, but it feels like I can't go anywhere now without people's dogs running about off lead. In the past month or so I've seen a dog owner allow their dog to trot about inside motorway services and another allow their dog to run around on a stretch of beach with big No Dogs Allowed flags. Dog owners see other people take their dogs everywhere and decide to do the same. And then we end up in the current situation of every cafe, park, town centre, outdoor space full of off lead dogs. And owners who think it's fine.
As you can tell this thread has been very "triggering" for me!