To request that all parents please ask

[SunshineAndShadows]

... Before you let your child loose on a strange dog!

I was just out with my two hounds, both friendly beasts but bouncy when out walking and neither enjoy contact with children as they've had unpleasant DC experiences and will avoid them as much as they can.

Both dogs off lead but under control by me when I see a nearby mum release her toddler (very small, no older than 2) in my direction. He toddles forwards and I put a hand on each dog's collar so that I have full control (no time to clip on leads) and mum cheers him on.

I eventually have to do a crazy toddler knee block whilst holding both dogs and saying 'no' very firmly, which stops him in his tracks. Mum then comes over and stands there expectantly. I was wordless with astonishment and eventually she pulled him away saying 'oh dear, the doggies don't want to play'.

I felt like asking her if she also let him play with knives and electric sockets (but of course I didn't)

AIBU to expect that my dogs and I should be able to walk peacefully without attacks from uncontrolled children?

Very few people are discussing "biting", they're discussing their DCs being "scared" by a dog, so false equivalency.

Plenty of children and adults have been harmed by other adults. Statistically by adult men if we're talking about abuse. So perhaps because a small minority of adult males ( but still greater than the number of dog attacks) abuse children and women we should have all males accompanied and on leads in public too. It's actually far more common than dog attacks, and arguably I'd say more women have past history to fear all men from than dogs. Not forgetting dogs don't get chance to attack twice, seek out like minded ones to conspire with, or keep continuous attacks hidden for years, or plan them in advance. And yet I'm sure anyone rational would agree judging and treating all adult males based on the sins of a few would be fucking ridiculous. So why the hell does anyone think its ok to prejudge all dog owners?

Sorry away for a few days - didn't realise folks were still posting!

But they don't really sound completely under your control if you need leads to prevent them running away under certain circumstances. I mean, you can't always control them by hand can you?

I wasn't restraining them to stop them running away. I was restraining them because they could easily have knocked over the very unsteady 2 year old who was toddling towards them, just as they could have done if leashed and not standing perfectly still. Not sure how this makes them out of control?

I just think that dogs should be on leads where there are children around

And I think that barely walking children shouldn't be set off to toddle across car parks towards strange dogs.

I guess we all have different ideas of what we consider to be reasonable - hence me starting this thread!