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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think not all city green spaces should be dog toilets?

74 replies

Cumberlover76 · 07/05/2014 09:40

I live in a city with a number of parks and green spaces and every single one is used as a dog toilet. I find it annoying and disgusting that i can't find any grass in the city (apart from very small segregated play parks) to sit on or let my DD run about on that hasn't had a dog shit or piss on in the recent past. I am aware that dog owners need to let their dogs shit exercise their dogs, but i think that there should be much bigger areas in parks and some green spaces where dogs are not allowed. Is this the same in all cities or are some better and should i be writing to the local council using them as examples?

OP posts:
Morgause · 07/05/2014 09:42

YANBU

Some places have dog free areas but not enough. Wouldn't be a problem if all dog owners picked up the mess or trained the dogs to go at home.

MsTwankeyToYou · 07/05/2014 09:46

You say you don't want your DD sitting on grass that's had animal urine or faeces on it in the "recent past" - that is BU. Animals of all sorts (not just dogs) are constantly relieving themselves on the grass you use - it won't harm her as long as she washes her hands before eating or touching her face. YANBU about anybody who doesn't clear up after their dogs, however.

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 07/05/2014 09:47

YANBU.

I had such unrealistic dreams if DD pottering around barefoot in the sunshine in our local park...

Reality is I'm uncomfortable letting her even go off the path (and still have to dodge shit on paths)

Parks should have specific dog toilet areas and toileting outside this area should be massively socially unacceptable.

If people are unable to stick to this then dog bans in parks.

FernMitten · 07/05/2014 09:47

Yanbu, I hate that you can't just plonk yourselves on the grass without knowing some dog has probably been there.

At least most owners pick up now though, it was a minefield crossing the park before it became the norm.

gamerchick · 07/05/2014 09:47

No I wish there were dog free zones.. even picking it up its still been there, I never trust the grass. Training the dogs to shit at home would be much better.

MsTwankeyToYou · 07/05/2014 09:48

Also, I've lived in two big cities and now in a rural area - none of them have banned dogs from anywhere other than inside children's playgrounds.

Original poster
Cumberlover76 · 07/05/2014 09:51

I'm not bothered about other animals, it just seems i can't find hardly any green space that hasn't had dog poo or wee on it. She's 2 and runs around a lot and sucks her fingers, why can't i just sit somewhere and be confident that there isn't remains of dog waste on the grass and not have to be concerned with washing her hands every 2 mins. Why do dogs seem to take priority over humans in our shrinking green spaces? Don't get me started on people not picking up after them, both owner and dog should be put down in that case!

OP posts:
Rommell · 07/05/2014 09:53

I agree. What precious green space we have in our city has been completely taken over by dogs running around off lead, shitting and pissing everywhere and generally making themselves a nuisance to everyone else around them. My friends from other countries with more enlightened views on animals are horrified by the way that we pander to pets and pet owners in the UK. And the number of them seems to be growing all the time - there has been a solid upsurge in the number of domestic dogs since the 1970s. It's a problem.

Rommell · 07/05/2014 09:53

Why do dogs seem to take priority over humans in our shrinking green spaces?

^^THIS exactly.

nostress · 07/05/2014 09:53

I have two dogs and always pick up after them but I find it really annoying that others dont. However, birds, rats, foxes etc etc have also used all green space as a toilet.

For dog free spaces is there a nearby botanical garden or garden open to the public?

Around here the botantical arden is very popular with parents and has a lovely play area and also dog free. You can get year membership so its good value. Oh but there are peacocks wondering around pooping everywhere!

deakymom · 07/05/2014 09:54

we have a park one area is set aside for dogs and the other is for children the amount of people taking their dogs to the kids area is unbelievable they bring them because the dog are has "dog muck" in it because they bought their kids to the park (fair enough but there are 6 adults to one child so one of you could take care of the dog) the best excuse was because its tarmac so the poo just washes off yeah?

i cant take my son to a dog free park because he is scared of dogs

as much as i love dogs i really dislike the majority of dog owners so far since my son has started school ive had to stop him running out in the road on more than one occasion because her dog was being "friendly" i said my son is scared her reply OH FOR FUCKS SAKE what kind of child are you raising he is scared of his own shadow bloody wussy parenting if he was mine i would lock him in the shed with a dog till he got over it Shock

VodkaJelly · 07/05/2014 09:55

So a dog owner doesnt pick up after its dog and you want the DOG put down???? Wow, the dog doesnt have a choice really does it. Its like saying if your kid drops a biscuit or whatever she should be taken into care because you didnt pick it up.

Rommell · 07/05/2014 09:56

^Its like saying if your kid drops a biscuit or whatever she should be taken into care because you didnt pick it up.^

Well, it isn't really, is it. Because. Dogs. Are. Not. People.

LoveSardines · 07/05/2014 09:57

It would be nice for parks to have dog free bits outside of the playground. Even just for sitting around, having a picnic, the kids running around it would be nice to have a bit without dogs in the mix too.

Not everybody likes them and it would be nice not to have them come up when you're doing stuff.

  • the poo issue.
EverythingsDozy · 07/05/2014 09:58

Just what I was thinking vodka. How silly for wanting a dog put down for the owner not picking its poo up. What do you want the dog to do?? I'm sure it'd use a toilet if it could!

KnittedJimmyChoos · 07/05/2014 09:58

As a dog owner, I am in total agreement with you. I find the same. This is why I like most NT places as you can actually let them run free without fear of dog muck.

Its sickening actually.

I really think a certain number of parks should be dog free, in an area, and some parks dog areas....its not fair that every single park has dogs.

I also think dogs should have to wear muzzles in parks where both dogs and children co exist.

nostress · 07/05/2014 09:58

Oh yes and also look for national trust properties that dont allow dogs. And get a membership too. Im sure there must be somewhere near you

LoveSardines · 07/05/2014 09:58

Vodka she said the dog and the owner should be put down, which was clearly an exaggeration.

I find it interesting that you are outraged at the idea of a dog being put down but not a person!

LoveSardines · 07/05/2014 10:00

nostress a lot of the things you are suggesting cost money and may be a distance away.

I think OP just wants to go to her local park/playground with her kid.

BackOnlyBriefly · 07/05/2014 10:00

YANBU

I'm with the idea of letting them shit at home, but surprisingly most owners want it as far as possible from where they live.

DotToDott · 07/05/2014 10:02

YANBU, i live in a village where there are countless places to walk your dog, yet the lazy bastards still insist on using the only childrens' playing field and not lifting the shit.

my disabled next door neighbour who walks with a stick manages to take his dogs up the beach, miles away from where kids play etc. and picks up after his teo dogs, yet the twat up the road drives to the park and sits in his car while his agressive and out of control dog is left to run free in the park and shit on the footpath.

hate to tell you but our council couldn't give a toss, i've given them names, times and places where the problem is at it's worst and they don't bother their arses.

CrispyFern · 07/05/2014 10:03

Where do you live? We walk through a dog training bit of the local woods every time we go (2/3 times a week) and I've honestly never seen a poo that I can remember. No children have trodden in any. Nothing! Everyone here must pick up.

nostress · 07/05/2014 10:03

Yes I understand! The botanical garden is less than a mile from me and its £50 for a year. Which i think is good value compared to playgroups/wacky warehouse type things.

Original poster
Cumberlover76 · 07/05/2014 10:18

The comment about the dog being put down was an exaggeration, but if there were some way of recognising and recording those that don't pick up and they be banned from having pets all the better. Bring back the dog licence i say.

Yes, there are places outside of the city i can go, but why should i have to and why should i have to pay? I just want to be able to walk 5 mins up the road and lie on the grass in the sun and let DD run around with no dogs. There is a NT place nearby that has free grounds, but they allow dogs and it is a huge toilet. Ideally i don't think any city green areas should be for dogs, but i don't imagine for a second that would happen, but some human priority would be nice.

OP posts:
EverythingsDozy · 07/05/2014 10:34

As daft as I thought the "dog should be put down for pooping" comment was, I do agree with you. As a former dog owner, it would rile me no end when people wouldn't pick up after their dog. It gives all dog owners a bad name and is just filthy.
We are quite lucky here in that most people do clean up after their dog in the park but when I take DD to nursery (in the middle of a business park) it is like a slalom trying to stop her standing in something. It's absolutely foul! There is one small stretch of road and it must be the same dog because there is bloody shit all the way down it. It's like the owner can't even be bothered to stop for it to go and drags it mid shit so it's over a good 3 metre stretch Hmm