i told a boy off at the zoo today mum was not amused , so was i

[Mrsjay]

was at a local zoo today and a family walked towards us , Mum declared the pigs they were heading towards was ugly/stinking/vile so her son picked up a stone and was going to throw it at the pigs , mum said put that down , meanwhile his brother ( ithink ) picked up a stone and i said with a voice your mum said not to do that with a smile , Mum then went on to tut at me , i shouldve just kept my mouth shut sigh

I did this when a small boy was chasing a peacock in a park, his mum was no where to be seen. She did come round the corner and glare at me.

It's a reflex if an animal is about to be hurt.

Would you have been upset if someone had spoken to your child the same way in the same circumstances?

I think sometimes the the mother of the naughty child might feel judged by someone else getting involved.

YANBU - you were even backing the mum up

I am very timid but even I would have commented when animal cruelty was at risk.

There is no reason why a pig should be hurt just to keep the peace.

i am always glad when a stranger pulls up ds at something i have already told him not to do ... more of a "now see? i told you" cos they react differently (better) when a stranger says it.

yabu i hate cruelty to animals and kids should learn froma young age to respect all animals.

even this morning a spider was making its way across kitchen floor ds (3) spotted him and went to stand on it. i roared at him and got dp to "escort" him outside with a glass and paper. i hate spiders!!! but dont want ds to be scared/cruel to any living thing.

I'm surprised she tutted at you, you were simply backing her up.

YADNBU. You absolutely did the right thing, so please do not let anyone tell you otherwise. You prevented an animal from being abused. If the mother of the child wasn't handling the situation properly, you had every right to step in. It is absolutely ridiculous for anyone to tell you you were in the wrong for this.

YANBU, my mum told a horrible little brat off the other day for chasing a pigeon around and trying to hit it with a stick. And quite right too. The parents just stood there watching as their PFB honed his bullying skills.