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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to ask if dogs should be on a lead or not in public places?

160 replies

GospelTruth · 19/02/2011 23:33

Following on from a recent thread about dogs snatching food & biting very young children in public places, should it be mandatory for all dogs to be on leads in public places, it's a yes from me. Who could argue otherwise?

OP posts:
fivegomadindorset · 19/02/2011 23:37

I put my dog on the lead in public places, we do walk in woods where it si literally only dog walkers so he is off the lead.

I Do remember some years ago when I had hound puppies and got yelled at as they invaded someones picnic, except they were trespassing (picnickers not puppies) started shouting at me until I pointed out they had no right tio be there.

Other than that, lead.

igetmorelovefromthecat · 19/02/2011 23:42

How do you define a public place? Does that mean that dogs should never be free to run around unless they are in, say, their owner's garden? Because that would be a crap life for a dog.

I have two dogs and they are both extra friendly and very well behaved, they would never intimidate anyone, and they come back to me when I call them. I can't see the problem with having them off the lead.

DooinMeCleanin · 19/02/2011 23:42

YABVU

Wft is wrong with MN lately? They are just dogs fgs, not wild lions. Yes you get the occassional inconsiderate owner who doesn't bother training as well as they should do, but you get the same with children, I don't suggest you leash and muzzle your brats when they pester my dogs do I? even though I would love to. No because it would be silly, unreasonable, ott and unfair to the responsible parents.

And yes my dog is more important to me than your child. I do not like children, especially not ones who scream and cry when my dogs glances in the direction.

HTH.

saffy85 · 19/02/2011 23:42

YABU. Not all owners fail to control their dogs. Some owners are hugely irresponsible and their pets run riot, but why should all dogs have to be punished for a few selfish idiots?

Be like banning all cars because some people drive too fast and cause crashes.

crazyspaniel · 19/02/2011 23:45

The dog wasn't "biting children" - it snatched a sandwich and got the child's finger in the process. I did sympathise with the poster of that thread, but this is really just hysterical over-reaction.

A couple of people mentioned that their children had had food stolen from them by seagulls. Perhaps we should shoot all the seagulls? Tape their beaks up?

Vallhala · 19/02/2011 23:45

YABVU

Wft is wrong with MN lately? They are just dogs fgs, not wild lions. Yes you get the occassional inconsiderate owner who doesn't bother training as well as they should do, but you get the same with children, I don't suggest you leash and muzzle your brats when they pester my dogs do I? even though I would love to. No because it would be silly, unreasonable, ott and unfair to the responsible parents.

And yes my dog is more important to me than your child. I do not like children, especially not ones who scream and cry when my dogs glances in the direction.

HTH.

Sorry OP, you might have wanted something original but I can't put it better than Dooin has and even if I could, I can't be arsed.

YABVVVU.

HTH.

FabbyChic · 19/02/2011 23:45

I never let my dog off the lead, and what bakes my furking noodles is taking him for a walk along the road and other dogs are not on leads, I can control my dog but not theres, and I shit myself in case they are angry beasts who might want to eat my Westie for dinner.

curlymama · 19/02/2011 23:46

No, in parks and other areas where it is reasonable for dogs to be allowed off the lead, people go there at their own risk.

If it is a park, it's likely that there will be dogs there. If it's a high street filled with shops or something, then dogs should be on leads.

I think it's far worse that cats are allowed to roam free tbh. And before anyone says 'but that's what cat's do', well running is what dogs do. And they can't do that if they are always on a lead.

LessNarkyPuffin · 19/02/2011 23:46

All children should be on reigns in public places.

rinabean · 19/02/2011 23:47

I definitely agree. I think parks should be designated as areas where dogs can be off-lead if it's appropriate, though. There's no reason for a dog to be off-lead when walking down a street.

webbygeek91 · 19/02/2011 23:49

lololol. Can't wait for this thread to get going, if anyone wants my views read the other thread.

RevoltingPeasant · 19/02/2011 23:50

No Gospel, YANBU, I agree. Dogs should not be let out of their owners' yards unless they are on a lead.

Also, cats. They shit all over my garden. Their owners should seriously just keep them in the house. All that crap about hunting instincts etc is just crap and not as important as my right to have a perfect flowerbed.

Also teenagers. I fucking hate listening to their loud music on buses and seeing them hanging around in the shopping centre. They might attack me. Their parents should keep them indoors at all times and if they want to go somewhere, they can get driven.

Also OAPS....

Oh fuck, wait. Could it be that public spaces are for everyone, not just you, and also that humans don't have an absolute monopoly on how we use outdoor spaces??

ffs.

mousymouse · 19/02/2011 23:53

yanbu - but then I think dogs dont belong in cities and am generally not a dog person.
I coudnt care less if all dogs (and owners) were well trained and not a nuisance, but the small pecentage of horrible dogs (owners) ruin it for me.

Vallhala · 19/02/2011 23:57
cornslik · 19/02/2011 23:58

God people are precious about dogs

Feelingthepressure · 20/02/2011 00:07

I am a dog owner. A public place is anywhere that is not Private Property. We do trust our dog and have trained him and walk him off the lead in our local woods. We sometimes put him on a lead if we see someone, especially children if we think they might become scared of him. The problem is that dog owners feel their dog won't harm anyone or another dog......until it bites someone. It's the dog owners responsibility to ensure their dog doesn't harm or bite anyone, if it does then the owner is definitely responsible. So it must be a well judged decision by the dog owner to let their dog off the lead and with any dog, no matter how friendly you feel your dog is, it can be a risk. Some dog owners are selfish and are not considerate enough towards others. For 'high risk dogs' it should be compulsory to have them on a lead. As for the person who cares more for their dog than children, shame on them Angry

Vallhala · 20/02/2011 00:10

Oh the shame, the shame....

And what would those "high risk dogs" be, Feelingthepressure?

DooinMeCleanin · 20/02/2011 00:13

'As for the person who cares more for their dog than children, shame on them' - that would be me Grin

I don't care for other peoples children, they have this annoying habit of bounding upto me while I am enjoying a peaceful walk with my dogs and then proceed to inflict their sticky fingers all over my dogs.

If I wanted to interact with children while I was out I would bring my own with me.

If you can't control them - keep them leashed. Imo.

cornslik · 20/02/2011 00:13

when we were kids most dogs were off the lead - are there any stats about dog attacks in the 70's/80's?

Rhadegunde · 20/02/2011 00:14

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Vallhala · 20/02/2011 00:15

MB, Feelingthepressure I think you meant "people" in your last sentence, not "person".

Although Dooin and I agree, we are seperate beings. :o

zukiecat · 20/02/2011 00:18

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Feelingthepressure · 20/02/2011 00:20

Hi Vallhala. I think the high risk dogs are those that are purposely bred for their aggression and that we know have a high risk of attacking people - yes American Pit Bulls. The safety of the public and other dogs is more important than owners of these types of dogs. It's about being responsible and caring and respecting the greater good, not your personal right to walk your aggressive dog off the lead.Smile

LessNarkyPuffin · 20/02/2011 00:22

Even if every single dog was on a lead you'd still get idiot children running up to them and touching them.

zukiecat · 20/02/2011 00:22

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.