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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think dogs should be on a lead at a sledging hill?

206 replies

PippiL · 05/02/2012 11:50

Prepared that I might be BU.

The field is probably privately owned. It is The Sledging
Hill in the village. Loads of kids there today.

About 3 dogs, big bouncy ones, off leads chasing sledges, pissing in the snow where kids sledging, and crapping too (generally out of the way, but didn't see it picked up).

My dd is petrified of dogs, and stood about 5 minutes complaining loudly how they should be on a lead. Which was ignored by the owners.

We had to leave.

Aibu?

OP posts:
southeastastra · 05/02/2012 11:51

no

TidyDancer · 05/02/2012 11:52

Unless the dog owners own the field, YANBU.

BigHairyGruffalo · 05/02/2012 11:54

The owners should have picked up the mess, but generally, YABU unless they were actually being threatening.

SydSaid · 05/02/2012 11:54

Privately owned by who? Is it an area commonly used for off-lead dog walking? Is it an area commonly used by kids to play, or only when there is snow?

YANBU about the dog crap not being picked up (thats a really poor show by the dog owners). I'm not making a call on the rest as there isn't enough info, IMO.

Sevenfold · 05/02/2012 11:56

yanbu

Original poster
PippiL · 05/02/2012 11:57

I probably should have just asked I spose. But am not up on dog etiquette and I don't like a confrontation!

On the way home, the idiots speeding through the slush covered me with muddy ice several times, and then I realised I had forgotten to get the key of dh so was locked out.

It was not a good day!

OP posts:
Birdsgottafly · 05/02/2012 11:58

Where the dog owners there with their own children?
Generally, YANBU.

I wouldn't allow my well trained dog with excellent recall to run around whilst there is so much activity going on, dogs and children getting over excited don't mix, tbh.

MollieO · 05/02/2012 11:58

When I walk my mum's dog I keep her on the lead if there are children playing in the park. She's only a Yorkie and rolls on her tummy when anyone approaches her but I know that some people are worried by dogs. I would always clean up her mess too. Can't believe people don't. The worst places near us are the local bridleways and tracks through fields.

startail · 05/02/2012 11:58

YANBU
Even if the field is normally used to let dogs run free as our fledging hill is.
It's just dangerous and irresponsible to have them running about amongst sledding DCs.

maddening · 05/02/2012 11:59

yanbu, even if it is usually only used by dogs - not due to any laws but as there usually isn't any draw to bring children there, being that the conditions have changed and assuming that everyone has equal rights to be there, the dog owners should react accordingly and put the dogs on leads.

PluckyButtocks · 05/02/2012 12:00

Is the field called The Sledging Hill? Really? Because I think some people might call it The Slopey Dog Field.

Original poster
PippiL · 05/02/2012 12:01

Most commonly used by dog walkers, off lead I guess unless there are livestock around. it is not play area, I reckon only used by kids when it snows.

One nice lady could see dd was scared and put her dog on a lead, which I really appreciated.

I really don't think it matters if they are aggressive dogs or not, my dd was openly scared. (they are probably lovely dogs).

Snow only comes once or twice a year, and dd missed out. Yes she does need to work on her fear too, ive been trying to work on this with her by introducing her to friends dogs etc.

OP posts:
Birdsgottafly · 05/02/2012 12:01

Just to add i wouldn't normally say that one persons 'rights' trump anothers but if you are in the UK , then snow is quite infrequent so childrn should be able to play in it.

The problem really is the selling off of so much land that it has to be fought over in some areas.

Original poster
PippiL · 05/02/2012 12:02

Plucky, or even the Sloppy Dog Field, given the mess!

OP posts:
mousymouseprice · 05/02/2012 12:06

dogs should be on a lead in all public places.
except for fenced dog areas in the park, securely fenced gardens,

gavel

SydSaid · 05/02/2012 12:08

thats wonderful if you have fenced dog areas, mousymouse! There is no such thing where I live at all.

My decision is thus:

YABU to think all the dogs should be on a lead because your daughter is scared.

YANBU to think that dogs that are being a hazard (eg chasing sledges) should be on a lead.

And ALL dog crap should be being picked up, the dog owners that don't are a disgrace.

BigHairyGruffalo · 05/02/2012 12:09

I've never owned a dog and am not a dog enthusiast, but I would have thought that in this weather dogs should have as much off-lead time to run around as possible, as the owners might not know when the next opportunity will be.

If this area is regularly used for off-lead dog walking, then it would be unreasonable to suggest that all dogs should be put on leads just because children are sledging there. Both parents and dog-owners need to be aware of the other groups. Dog owners need to put their dog on a lead if they get too excited/out of control and parents need to ensure that the dc act sensibly around the dogs (eg. no running up and patting random doggies).

I don't see why both groups can't enjoy the hill.

Original poster
PippiL · 05/02/2012 12:14

I don't think all dogs should be on leads because she is scared! She has to get used to that, ESP as i live in the country and there will be plenty.

But when there are 30 kids sledging? That is different, no?

The dogs were going crazy, running up to kids and chasing sledges, in and out of the stream, pissing and crapping everywhere...

OP posts:
troisgarcons · 05/02/2012 12:16

Most commonly used by dog walkers, off lead I guess unless there are livestock around. it is not play area, I reckon only used by kids when it snows.

there's your answer.

taxiforme · 05/02/2012 12:19

YANBU to expect dogs to be on leads. I keep mine on leads in public places, not because they are a threat, but because they run off! As for picking up the poop, this is an issue whether snow or not, unless your dog is in an area clearly where only Bear Grils would get then you have to clear it up.

On another issue.. we have a field just like the one you talk about in your village. Our prob is that the older kids on sledges are VERY dangerous both to kids and also adults. They are pelting down with 30 stones of two big fat teenager lads unable and unwilling to stop or steer. Last year my DH (at 18 stone) was knocked over an broke a rib. A toddler would have been v seriously injured. It is also my bug bear that kids sledge DOWN OUR ROAD..in the middle of the fecking carriage way. Last year some mother got all toity with me as I was trying to drive my car into my drive and her kids were were sledging right down the middle of the road!

Snow=common sense goes out of the window

nothingoldcanstay · 05/02/2012 12:19

YABU. The dog's are doing nothing wrong but because your child has an irrational fear they are supposed to be limited? Don't think so. Dog's are part of the animal world which humans share. Think you should work on your child's fear rather than get upset about an animal which has every right to exist and not be tethered every time it's outside.

And it is an irrational fear because I suspect if you actually got a dog yourself (hypothetically) they wouldn't be scared of dogs anymore.

Tortington · 05/02/2012 12:20

Dogs should be on a sled at a sledging field surely?

TidyDancer · 05/02/2012 12:21

It's known as a dog walking area? YABabitU then.

I generally don't like seeing dogs walked off a lead in a public place, but if this is a known walking area, you should really have knwon what to expect.

It was probably not the wisest thing to do to take a dog fearing child there, snow or no snow.

SuePurblybilt · 05/02/2012 12:22

I was all about the YANBUs until I saw My dd is petrified of dogs, and stood about 5 minutes complaining loudly how they should be on a lead. Which was ignored by the owners.We had to leave.

Whilst I agree with you in principle and no doubt that the shit should have been picked up, that raised my hackles a bit. It makes it sound as if you went to the dog walking field with your dog phobic DD, were outraged at the presence of dogs, didn't address it with the owners or find a quiet corner but loudly and in a bit of a passive-aggressive way complained and huffed off. If it happened how your OP read, then I don't think you handled it in the best way, sorry.

Grin at the Slopey/Sloppy Dog Field.

TidyDancer · 05/02/2012 12:22

knwon known