Asked to leave because our dog was offending the Muslim children?

[anchovies]

We went to watch ds2 play football at a local sports centre yesterday. He was playing on the astroturf which was next to a field. We stood on the field to watch with the dog on a lead. The caretaker came over about 2 minutes later and asked us to leave, not because dogs aren't allowed, but because apparently our black dog was offending the Muslim children in the arts centre next door. We saw some parents dropping children off as we arrived but other than that we were nowhere near any Muslim children. Apparently complaints had been made because we had the dog on the site, we refused to leave at first but the caretaker got the site manager. I am planning on making a complaint but before I send it am I right in thinking this is bonkers? I understand that dogs are unclean but he was on a lead? Seems like a very strange policy, apparently the dog was "worse" because he is black?

I read that Birmingham City Council put out a leaflet about a number of events that happened over winter and called it winterval. But within the leaflet it still referred to events such as the xmas lights switch on. So Birmingham CC did not rename xmas winterval.

"No Birmingham didn't. It is a twisted urban myth."

No, I know it isn't true - I was being sarcastic in manner of seeker's previous post.

I would have thought that was obvious...

sorry

Sorry, "I would have thought that was obvious" comes across as really rude, I didn't mean that lesley

Offended is surely wrong, scared a bit since they're an unusual pet for muslim families maybe, not allowed on the field due to some mis-behaved owners letting their dogs poo there - most likely in my opinion.

Is it wrong that I actually like the word 'Winterval' - it rolls off the tongue so pleasantl... can we have Winterval for the whole season, Christmas for 24/25/26 and delete Xmas from all dictionaries please

Those terrible Muslims invited my grandchildren to the mosque for food last xmas.
But the CofE church up the road held no such thing.
People always judge by the extremes sadly.

I know Muslims in Iran who own dogs. They love their dogs. They are also quite religious but have dogs none the less and have asked me to send over some christmas CDs for their children.

Some people just spout absolute rubbish.

Dogs are the devil indeed. Sheesh. I have source devil horns and tail left over from Halloween. You should dress the dog up as a hound of hell next time you take him out and see if any hard line Christians get all upset.

And those Muslims sent me Christmas cards last year. They must have been so offended...

I like Winterval too.It sounds whimsical!

Wow. Dogs, Muslims and political correctness gorn mad.

Is that a bunfight-starting hat-trick?

I saw that Suggs doing some fundraising for Amnesty the other day.

It's Madness gone politically correct.

wahwahwah, feel free to Google "Muslims black dogs". You'll find the references within 3 clicks.

FWIW I don't think most Muslims are particularly averse to dogs (although they are not supposed to keep them as pets).

Surely most local sports centres wouldn't allow a dog to be there anyway? I suspect the OP thought that it would be ok to have the dog "on the field" next to the astroturf, bending the rules.

tethers

This whole offending thing is a load of rubbish in my experience - in Malaysia the shopping centres take any excuse to decorate (Chinese, Muslim, and Christian holidays give them plenty of opportunities) and everyone wishes you Merry Christmas with a big smile no matter what their race or religion.

There willl be a reference to uncut grapes being fed to small babies next.

Or some bastard who didn't take their shoes off in someone's house.

Ah grovel, google 'lizard rulers' and see what you get!

I thought dogs weren't allowed on sports fields anyway?

And tbh if I was a delivery driver and someone had a large black dog, I wouldn't want to go onto their property- and that's not for religious reasons.

This is hugely entertaining

Actually I think a Winterval that is inclusive to all, which also incorporates Christmas celebrations is a good idea.

I visited Birmingham's German Market recently. It's spread over recent years and it's everywhere. If Christmas doesn't occupy any part of your personal/family calendar it must do your head in! DH LOVES Christmas but even he is sick of the German market and just how difficult it is to navigate!

Anything that makes it all a bit more 'everyone friendly' is probably a good idea. Especially if you have to tolerate half of your local supermarket being taken over by 'gift ideas' from the middle of August!

It was just reported really hysterically when it happened and so people who hadn't read anything about it got really cross. And understandably, because if it was as it had been reported it would have been bang out of order!

The world has gone mad

Ok well at least I have clarified it was all a bit mental! I even said (giving the caretaker a get out clause) "it's fine if dog's aren't allowed" but he clarified dogs they are allowed but not when there are Muslims on site. Oh and he was on a lead and not on the astroturf (thanksApocalypseCheeseToastie!) He is partial to a football so would have caused chaos otherwise! Off to write my letter :o

How does the caretaker know who's a Muslim and who isn't? Does he get everyone to fill in a questionnaire when they arrive at the leisure centre?

Winterval sounds fabulous.... like something straight out of a fantasy novel

OP.... I wonder did the caretaker simply make up the line about 'the muslim children are offended' as he knew most people will just bow out quickly if PC is brought into the equation whereas he felt (rightly or wrongly) that if he simply asked you to leave he'd be met with 'But my Toby is terribly well behaved, we'll just stand here and he won't bother anyone honestly'