to be think they should have kept the dogs on their leads?

[edwardcullensotherwoman]

In the park with DS today, saw 2 people with dogs off leads; one of them released her dogs from the leads underneath the sign that says "dogs should be kept on leads at all times"! FFS. DS is afraid of dogs (we are working on it, as I was too and really don't want him to be) and I think I should be able to take him to the park without worrying about dogs running around scaring him. (As it happened he wasn't too bothered as the dogs were sniffing around and not interested in anyone, but that's not the point.)
I know I'll end up being flamed by the dog-lovers among us, but to be fair, there are signs up that state dogs should be on their leads in the park.
I was all for emailing the council to complain earlier but that would BU wouldn't it?

it?

At our kiddies park I was asked by a dog walker to move my DC's from the swings as she wanted to walk past them. I looked at her with a face and asked why.
She said because her dog was scared of children!
OP yanbu

LOL at parents instilling fear in their children.
For my children its unfortunately too late and they will always be scared of dogs after witnessing an alsation attacking and killing a small dog in the park.

And then there was the woman in the park last week whose dog caught a squirrel. When people told her she had to have her dog on the lead her answer was "oh but he has never done this before"

Ruby, I have been on holidays with a friend who's afraid of heights. So we didn't climb to the top of the Eiffel Tower.
I have been on holiday with a friend who's afraid of birds, so we left our outdoor restaurant with birds flying around and ate somewhere less scenic.

I didn't think these people wanted the world to revolve around them. I thought, they are afraid of something and I have to respect that.

Well spotted tether

Ruby i do understand it from that point if the dog has no interest in people around them thats fair enough.

the thing here is some dogs differ as do some children. so some dogs are mean some are soft and lovely. and some children like to grab or stroke, where as others really are not interested.

its a battle that will never be won

The real point though is that if there is a sign saying to 'keep dogs on a lead' then individuals have no right to decide 'oh my dog is fine. I don't have to obey that sign'.

Ruby no one is saying the dog has to leave the park. They are saying to keep your dog on a lead if that is the rule in the park. If that was not the rule, and dogs were allowed tear around, then yes I would not go to the park.

The sign said dogs should be kept on the lead not dogs must be kept on the lead.

Yes Beertricks, but it also means irresponsible owners have a loophole to leave their dog off the lead. I think it should be just keep your dog on a lead. You don't see road signs saying no overtaking, unless you're sure it's okay. It just doesn't make sense to put something subjective into a rule like that.

I prefer the signs which say 'no dogs'

"I really don't understand this fear of dogs that so many people have and I am fed-up with ignorant parents instilling a fear of dogs into their children. "

How silly to suggest that a child's fear of dogs must have come from its parents.

As a child one of my sisters was terrified of dogs, whereas my other sister and I were quite happy and comfortable around them. Clearly neither of our parents had influenced her in this fear. The fear was there because a nasty, snappy out-of-control little mutt had jumped up at her on several occasions when she was small. This probably wasn't a "dangerous" dog so no doubt its owners felt justified in letting it wonder about off the leash wherever it liked. Nevertheless it was alarming enough to put a small child off dogs for years and years.

So then, it would be more correct to attribute her fear to ignorant dog owners.

Did I miss the hysteria and foaming at the mouth?

Actually, I do know lots of people who are scared of spiders and have enlisted my help to remove them.

It's never crossed my mind to call them hysterical, foaming at the mouth anachrophobes (sp?- NAKing)but maybe I've been missing the opportunity to force my love of spiders on people who don't like them? I just tend to take their feelings seriously and take the spider away without debate.

As I do if anyone doesn't want my kids near them/making a noise etc.

Asking dog owners to keep their dogs on leads in order that people who are afraid of dogs, small toddlers and frail pensioners can also enjoy the park is 'sharing the park nicely' ruby.

BeerTricks - the point is, if you leave it up to individuals to decide whether or not their dog should be on a lead, both the responsible and irresponsible owners will let their dogs run around.

For instance, a lot of playgrounds insist that adults must be accompanied by children. There aren't vast armies of paedophiles lurking around playgrounds, but to protect children from the few you have to ban all.

No BTP, they wait until the middle of the night round here before putting their little 'Satan' into their harness and go out looking for anything that moves to attack. (Toddlers tend to be asleep then).
My DS was to young to be scared of what they had done to our cat, he was only 36 hours old at the time.
Not a very funny joke .
And yes I do know it was the owners fault, not the dogs fault.

BTP Yes, the owner knew her dog, but other park users didn't. Therefore if you're nervous of dogs for any reason you would be upset to see an owner completely ignoring a sign that is there to ensure everyone can enjoy the park, and just suiting herself and her pet.

If a shop had a sign saying 'only two school children at a time' would you insist that you know your children and therefore they can ignore that sign. Parks are public places and rules are rules.