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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:
Cherriesarelovely · 05/02/2012 16:00

YANBU, my gorgeous dog is totally over the top with sledges, chasing them etc so we now walk her well away. As for not picking up their mess, it's vile.

SparkyTGD · 05/02/2012 16:16

My nervous dog would agree with your DD

Its the big bouncy labs that are the worst Wink

So if we go to 'sledging hill' she has to stay home. She doesn't like loads of yelling kids & lively dogs.

But, they are probably there because they are usually friendly & reliable dogs, or their owners think so anyway.

BeerTricksP0tter · 05/02/2012 16:17

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

silentcatastrophe · 05/02/2012 16:23

It is the responsibility of dog owners to keep their animals safe. It is also their responsibility to keep their animals under control. Under control does not always mean On A Lead. Another person is far more likely to cause an accident than a dog. Your dd's fear is a different issue.

Kytti · 05/02/2012 16:30

cheers on MrsHeffley

claps.

ILoveGreggsSausageRolls · 05/02/2012 16:30

YABU. If its a known dog walking area then you should expect dogs.

One thing you could teach your DD when a big dog comes bounding over is to stand still, if it jumps up at her if she raises her knee it will create a barrier and the dog should stop.

If I was out with my dog and I could see a child was distressed I would personally take him further on out of the way so both were happy.

YANBU about dog shit though!

It's a shame about her fear. I do think it's hard when your a child to have such a phobia. Can the GP help with some counciling?

ILoveGreggsSausageRolls · 05/02/2012 17:01

MrsHefferly how utterly ridiculous. If your child had a fear of water, you would keep them away from it and never deal with it? How about if your child had a fear if crowds, would you never take them shopping and bury your head in the sand?

I agree there are idiotic dog owners, however why should my DD lose out sledging with our family dog because you won't help your DD with her fear?

mousymouseprice · 05/02/2012 17:10

gregg assuming you are a responsible dog owner having the dog either under control or on the lead and picking up the shit, of course you can.
problem is some dog owners have funny ideas about control and entitlement.

BoneyBackJefferson · 05/02/2012 17:17

MrsHeffley

surely if you know that dog walkers will be in the area, then they have as much right to be there as you and you should be making allowances for them(especially as they are there everyday).

ILoveGreggsSausageRolls · 05/02/2012 17:34

I do Mousey, it's just hard when you're limited to where you can let your dog off for a good run because mine will run forever to be told no I shouldn't take him out because it upsets their child.

That said if we are approaching small children or someone who is displaying fear of dogs I do put him on a lead because Springers are boisterious and not everyone loves dogs. I just think open spaces are for everyone to use and it's not fair to single out one particular type.

I also appreciate what it can be like for a child. My DB DN has had a fear of dogs since he was a small child and no one knows why. When he was about three we were in my DB's flat (which is on the second floor). Outside on the green area over the road was a dog being over the road. When little one saw it he completely flipped and screamed the place down.

GypsyMoth · 05/02/2012 17:35

It's NOT a bloody sledging hill' up until TODAY it was a hill/field where children didn't even come to!! It was a piece of land dog owners could safely walk their dogs and give them some off lead time!! An everyday thing

Til today....... A bit of snow..... And families decide ' it's a sledging hill'!!! and expect the dogs to bugger offHmm

GypsyMoth · 05/02/2012 17:36

It's the responsibility of parents to keep their dc safe!

Original poster
PippiL · 05/02/2012 17:51

Never said dogs should miss out. But if owners can't keep them under control, that is totally unacceptable.

I can tell which of the dog owners on here do a good job, and which probably don't.

OP posts:
MrsHeffley · 05/02/2012 17:52

I love Greggs when you have a child bitten by a dog then feel free to lecture until then I think I'll let my ds take the lead and have control which is actually working. Forcing children to face phobias whth no control doesn't help in the slightest.I had a dd with a water phobia.We took it her pace and she's swimming like a fish now.

Dogs running in front of sledges is dangerous if anybody can't see that they're highly irresponsible. There are such things as leads so no need.I can't think of any of my dog owning friends who would allow this to happen.

Also errr just because you walk a dog daily on a plot of land it doesn't mean you have rights above all others and are free to become a safety risk.

gladders · 05/02/2012 18:09

sledging today in greenwich park. masses of off the lead dogs charging round. really dangerous - for them and the sledgers.

just because they are normally allowed to be off the lead, doesn't mean they have that right on the freak days when we have snow. one day on the lead won't hurt them.

YANBU

BeerTricksP0tter · 05/02/2012 18:17

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

BoneyBackJefferson · 05/02/2012 18:21

MrsHeffley

much as I have empathy for your child, it is the sledgers that are causing the safety risk, not those that are there everyday.

do their rights trump yours, does your right to have fun trump their right to have a healthy pet?

MrsHeffley · 05/02/2012 19:34

So on one of the only snow days of the year families shouldn't go sledging because it's an area dog walkers like to walk their dogs -really!!!!

How about families go sledging and dog owners keep their dogs on leads or just for once walk them elsewhere.

Not that difficult to ensure health and safety for all is it.Hmm

mrscraig · 05/02/2012 19:49

Mrs Heffley - just adding some support to you. My children have also been frightened of dogs. A fear is a fear - it's never irrational to the person who has that emotion.
Dogs and children are not equal. Yes a child sledging should have priority over a dog walker. Dogs can walk on flat surfaces. It is pretty much impossible to sledge on a flat surface. It doesn't snow that often - let the children enjoy it while they can.
Just take the dog another route then everyone is happy.

BeerTricksP0tter · 05/02/2012 19:55

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

mrscraig · 05/02/2012 19:59

BeerTricksPotter - I disagree with you BUT I bloody love your name!!!

I can see it must be annoying but like you say it is only once or twice a year - you'll have it all to yourself again tomorrow Wink

BeerTricksP0tter · 05/02/2012 20:05

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ShotgunNotDoingThePans · 05/02/2012 20:34

I think it's fair for dog owners to either avoid the sledging area or keep the dog on the lead when they're there at the same time as the families.

I'm afraid humans' sledging rights do trump dogs' walking rights - and as for one mug family member having to stand holding the lead, I'd much rather be the one responsible for the mutt than having my ancient aching bones jolted and bashed about on a hard sledge.

And you can walk about a bit and chat to the other grannies spectators.

Hullygully · 05/02/2012 21:28

I'm afraid humans' sledging rights do trump dogs' walking rights

Why?

TuftyFinch · 05/02/2012 21:31

I went sledging in a deer sledge today. Dog proof.