To think this dog should have been on a lead

[Doginthepark]

Took DS to the park today and we were kicking his new Frozen ball around. A dog came charging up and grabbed the ball and popped it. DS cried. Aibu to think the dog should have been on a lead?

For the poster who said this was a dog hating thread.

I certainly don't hate dogs, not by any stretch of the imagination but if some children take fright at the sight of a dog, then surely children come first.

If some children and some dogs don't mix then, in my opinion, it is the dogs who have to give way.

I do believe that the council then have a duty to make somewhere else available for dogs: ideally a purpose built dog park but as that doesn't seem likely in the current climate, then maybe a bit of make do and mend-hence my earlier suggestion of a council car park after 6 or low rent a field for them from a local land owner.

Dogs and children both have rights but those of a child come first.

I've obviously been extremely lucky in the places I've lived. I've never had any of these issues. Where I used to live we had Dog Parks (dogs allowed off lead), Dog Friendly parks (dogs allowed on leads) and Dog Free parks (no dogs allowed). Funnily enough the only issue I've ever had were parents bringing their children into the Dog Park, then complaining that dogs were running free.

I've also had parents complain about dogs when they (the parents) were trespassing on MOD land - good job they were only confronted by our dogs, rather than the attack dogs that also exercise in that area

Where I live now there is a huge common that is full of dogs. No complaining there, the area is so big, so overgrown and so full of free range cows and horses that complaining about dogs running free would be futile

Chopin do you really think children are the most important people? Really???? I pity you when any kids you have hit the teens. Actually, if you really feel like that, then your kids (should you have any) already rule the roost and you're probably used to be told that everything you do is wrong - but never mind, it will get worse when the hormones kick in.

Petit the majority of parks were made for everyone. It is only recently that some parks were built aimed at children. Everyone pays towards the upkeep and maintenance of parks, so why should certain people - dog owners and people with sensory disorders - be banned? oh - of course, your children are the most important people in the world, and to hell with the rest of us. How could i forget that?

Before anyone jumps on me as a hater of children, i have two grown up DCs of my own and now have a dog. All of the dogs that i know are better behaved than 99.9% of all the entitled little 'darlings' i meet on a day to day basis. Perhaps we should ban anyone having children until prospective parents have learned to actually parent their children?

I beg your pardon. NO, I beg you have the decency to read my post properly. I was not talking about your son but about the child who screams whenever she sees a dog as is perfectly clear

Do you not think we and our dog owning friends haven't tried to help him? As you said nothing about this, of course I cannot think what you may or may not have done. Making assumptions is pretty dim.

You really know little re living with a phobia,do tell us all how to click our fingers and sort it out,we're all ears. Which is why I said asking assumptions is dim. because people who do live with phobias know that avoiding the cause is not an answer. Also, if you read my posts (funny how I have to return to this) you will see that with regard to the screaming child I said she needed to get help

Loving your logic that the hoards of kids with dog phobias who cry,can't contain their fear and get frankly terrified should not go to parks? For the third time, read my posts. Just to help you, here is what I said: "If a child with SEN can't cope with screams should they be kept from the park too? Or should this child be receiving treatment for her irrational phobia?"

But parks are often built specifically for children

Very rarely are parks built specifically for children. The vast majority of parks are for everyone. Some parks may have specific areas for children, but that is completely different.

ime those with sensory issues do avoid triggers ie crowded transport etc

And in my experience people with children who have sensory processing disorders do not always have the luxury of being able to avoid triggers such as public transport and have to use a variety of methods to help their children cope with the triggers.

Rubbish,banning children how ridiculous. I was replying to a poster who said that parks weren't for children screaming in fear and pointing out that there will be screaming in fear and delight regardless of dogs and people with sensory issues or assistant dogs that couldn't cope with it would be avoiding said area anyway.

The fact is this isn't about all dog owners but irresponsible dog owners who should be dealt with and excluded from places with children.There should be tougher penalties for dog owners or dog run areas.I personally would like dogs to have license numbers on their collars so they can be reported.

So screams and shouting of delight ok,screams of fear not ok.

You don't see to care about the impact of whoops and screams of delight,funny that.

Any park will have screaming whether it be in excitement or fear

Some parks might have some screaming at some times. The park I visit on a daily basis has neither when I am there. With my dog. Perhaps you are just unlucky in the parks you visit?

Oh and trying to turn this into a disabilist witch hunt is pretty low imvho.

You are being more than a little hypocritical too.Kids with dog phobias should be excluded,everybody else allowances should be made.

No we're lucky to have fab kid parks which induce excitement in the form of shouting,shrieking,screaming and laughing.Isn't that the aim?

I personally would like dogs to have license numbers on their collars so they can be reported.

what, just for being a dog?

Perhaps we could get children to wear t-shirts with the same information so that I could have reported the primary school aged child I saw deliberately vandalising the fence around my local park? (For the avoidance of doubt, that was not a serious statement)

Just like to add most kids with sensory issues I know(family included) would have more issues with a barking dog invading their space than screaming across a park.

Vandals generally get dealt with,areas get monitored,people get reported.As they can speak it's easier to track them down.

I'll get flamed now but my dog is more important to me that someone else's child.

That's just beyond odd. Approaching unbalanced. And very sad.

Anyhoo off out to the park.

That isn't what was said at all, and you know it, Petit. Nobody is turning this into a 'disablist witch hunt'. is disabilist a word? somehow i doubt it

Allowances should be made by everyone most of the time. There are times when allowances should not be made, even though most parents assume that this would not apply to their spoiled child.

Let me make a sweeping statement here. There is not a single child in the world that instantly obeys everything that is said to them. Not one. So why would you expect that all dogs off leads should instantly obey everything that is said to them? Dogs think for themselves the same as children do and temptation does lead everyone astray every now and then.

Of course not all parks are intended to induce excitement.

You seem to be confusing the words "playground" and "park".

Playgrounds are for children and dogs should not be running around in playgrounds.

Parks are for everyone to enjoy. Parks may have no form of entertainment in them at all. The park closest to my work is a popular spot for people to practice their yoga outside as it is lovely and peaceful. No play equipment, just grass and trees. And peace and quiet

Vandals will be caught? You really think so? Very few of them, i would think. And no doubt the parent of the primary school-aged child Katie saw would probably claim that their child was just exuberant or expressing their individuality - as claimed by a couple of kids in the late 70s at the school where my mother was headmistress and found the little bastards dears setting fire to the toilets. And if they were caught, would they get as much as a smack on the knuckles? i doubt it.

Perhaps children should not be allowed out without some kind of monitoring devise that shows parents what they get up to? Or maybe they should just be kept on leads as well. (and I am joking - just)

I wonder if, as a compromise, dog owners would wear a sort of high visibility jacket when exercising their dogs in anywhere that is not designated for their sole use.

This would mean that they could be easily seen and those with nervous children could avoid walking in their direction.

I do quite like the idea of dogs' licence numbers on their collars and this number could also be replicated on the high vis jacket.

I'm always fascinated by the posters on these threads who live in areas where they can barely step foot onto a patch of grass without being accosted by an angry mob of toddler eating dogs. Now, far be it for me to say they're exaggerating to make their point but as a dog owner, I probably spend more time in the park than your average non dog owner. I do come across some terribly bad doggy manners and feckless dog owners but never at the level of some people here. Maybe it's just where I live. :)

No I wouldn't wear a high vis jacket. Hope that helps.

Maybe parents of phobic kids can attach helium balloons to them so dog walkers can see them from a distance?

Chopin, surely it wouldn't be easier to make the child wear the jacket?

Then dog owners and all those adversely affected by screaming would know to give a wide berth. And the registration number could be on the jacket too. So we could report littering, which is just as bad a problem as dog poo.

Because if it is acceptable to make one sector of the populace do this, then obviously it is equally acceptable to do this to others.

Other benefits could involve easily identifying lost children, spitting underage drinking and smoking.

Actually, I think we should all wear high vis vests with our NI numbers on them and with tracking devices in them too.

Or we could just all get a grip.

I wonder if, as a compromise, dog owners would wear a sort of high visibility jacket when exercising their dogs in anywhere that is not designated for their sole use.

Or I suppose we could stick a brightly coloured dog sign to our clothes....
Oh hang on a minute....

Sunna I'm sure your child/children or any other random children are perfectly delightful. I don't know them, My dog has been by my side for years. I'm responsible for him. He's family. But of course you won't understand that, which I find sad and emotionally lacking, for you.

We're off to the park now. I promise no children will be eaten or scared and no poo will be left unpicked.

I really can't understand people equating dogs with humans. It's just weird.

Thank you. Katie.

It was only an idea sprung from my belief that while both dogs and children have rights; the rights of the children trump those of the dog.

Maybe dog owners could come up with a few compromises of their own.