Dogs on buses near babies

[FireLamp]

Just to be clear, this isn't a goady thread about dogs and I don't hate dogs. Interested in others opinions as I have to take the bus daily!

I think owners should keep them away from prams and only take them on buses if there's plenty of space! AIBU?

Today, coming back from a long walk at a local beauty spot, someone plonked their husky-type dog right next to DS in his pram (pram was in the area with fold-up seats, 2 other prams opposite). As dog was on eye level with 10-month DS I asked him to move the dog. He assured me dog 'won't hurt him' but I said I'd rather not take the risk thanks, especially as DS will try to grab anything furry and interesting. He reluctantly moved dog into the aisle, where it meandered around on the end of a long lead, sniffing people and getting in everyone's way.

I've had similar with someone's dog licking my ankle on the bus, owner didn't seem to think it mattered

Did I overreact or AIBR to think dogs should be kept on a short lead on buses, sitting next to their owner, away from babies/small children?

Absolutely, apostrophe

Toddlers are grabby. I don't let it get out of hand and I would not let her constantly grab at anyone or any animal but if she accidentally grabbed another person, I can be 99% sure that person won't retaliate. This isn't the case with dogs.

I will raise my hand as an odd person I don't think we are superior to other animals but I also do as much as I can to keep my dog away from people, unless they've made it clear they'd like to interact with him. I don't think that makes me odd!

A baby once stared at me on a train

I've never been grabbed on a bus by a toddler. Perhaps they give a shit what their DC are doing in public round here

owllady did you muzzle it?!

It is odd to consider the welfare of an animal as equal to that of a person.

And nobody thinks all dogs are likely to bite. But it's foolish not to understand that animals can be unpredictable especially around young children.

Happy to be odd then 😀

YABVU

Pushchairs should be folded, those spaces are wheelchair spaces, not pushchair spaces.

If you are worried about your child grabbing, watch your child, control your child.

If your pushchair was folded YOU could have got up and moved - putting a large dog or even a small dog safely on a bus tends to require the dog NOT to be in the aisle where it will be tripped over and stepped on and kicked accidentally.

Banning dogs from public transport? Seriously. Get a grip, lets ban pushchairs and prams from them instead, if you have a child then get a car or walk... (not practical? no, it isn't practical for all dog owners either!)

Dogs absolutely should be under control, they should not be licking people.

People should be more tolerant and recognise when something is THEIR problem and not someone elses - you don#t like dogs near your child, that is YOUR problem, not the dog owners in this instance.

*You do know that most dogs lick"
I've ended up in A&E with a severe allergic reaction after being licked by a dog (whose owner just looked fondly on, in spite of being asked to keep the dog away). So please don't assume that just because you are fine being licked by your mutt, not everyone shares in your joy.
Most dogs don't bite
Well that's all right then

Why didn't you just stand between the dog and the pram if you were that paranoid worried?!

What a load of fuss about nothing! The owner and dog have just as much right to use the bus as you.

yabu. People have as much right to travel on public transport with their dogs as you do with your child.

And really, a dog licked your ankle and that's an issue?

I'm amazed some people manage to get through each day intact on this site. There's so much drama over stuff that most of us barely blink an eye at.

Pushchairs should be folded, those spaces are wheelchair spaces, not pushchair spaces.

No. A lot of buses now have a wheelchair space and buggy spaces. Ours have 3 buggy spaces separate from the wheelchair space.

I'm sure it's an argument as old as the hills but would a blind person using an assistance dog be expected to move, or to wait for an unknown length of time for a deserted bus or train?

It's that look of 'oh isn't it cute that my dog is running around/nuzzling you/ licking you. With no comprehension that some people find it utterly gross.

I don't use public transport as I'm far too posh but if I did I can imagine the screaming babies. Holy hell.

I'll keep myself and my gun dogs to private transport thanks Vay much.

Ive had someone call me a f**g ct, dumb btch and various other names because I asked her to put her dog on a lead on a bus. It was wandering around downstairs but was plainly terrified of being on the bus.

I had my toddler with me in his buggy. Quite frankly I dont GAF if the dog is 'armless luv, friendly, cuddly, used to kids, whatever. Dogs should always be on a lead or very closely controlled around small children (and by that I mean holding a collar), especially if the dog/child dont know each other, if the dog/child are stressed or in any sort of environment other than their own home environment.

This might horrify you but some people have babies living in the same houses as dogs.

Irrelevant in this instance.

I bet people would soon object if I let ds lick their ankles.

As for guide dogs they are totally different as they have been trained to lie down under the seat on a bus and not to wander around having a sniff and lick of people.

There is a lady that lives locally who has a guide dog and quite often gets on the bus with her dog.
Both my kids know that *** is a helping dog and is to be left well alone.

*^YABVU

Pushchairs should be folded, those spaces are wheelchair spaces, not pushchair spaces.

If you are worried about your child grabbing, watch your child, control your child.

If your pushchair was folded YOU could have got up and moved - putting a large dog or even a small dog safely on a bus tends to require the dog NOT to be in the aisle where it will be tripped over and stepped on and kicked accidentally.

Banning dogs from public transport? Seriously. Get a grip, lets ban pushchairs and prams from them instead, if you have a child then get a car or walk... (not practical? no, it isn't practical for all dog owners either!)

Dogs absolutely should be under control, they should not be licking people.

People should be more tolerant and recognise when something is THEIR problem and not someone elses - you don#t like dogs near your child, that is YOUR problem, not the dog owners in this instance.^*

Very well said and couldn't agree more with you.

Agree with honking. DSis has ASD. A dog licking her on the bus would send her into complete meltdown and throw her off course for a while.

But hey, most dogs lick, according to PP. Should my DSis just never get the bus because some people think it's ok to let their pet run around touching people?

Yes, my 12yr old was terrified for about 3yrs from 3-6 after a dog barked furiously at him and jumped up at him as we entered school gates to pick up his brother. I got the 'calm down, he's only being friendly crap.' Ds had not even glanced at the dog and was just walking past.

Keep the fuck hold of your dog's collar or keep the lead tight to you if you cannot control how he reacts to people.