Dogs off lead in park - AIBU?

[SneakyGremlins]

We have a pretty large park in town. Two play areas, two lakes full of birds, and then a wooded clearing. People walk their dogs in the park. Not an issue. People let their dogs off the lead in the clearing to play fetch - I'm not too bothered about that if they don't approach me.

However - AIBU to think dogs should be on leads in the rest of the park? Especially when they go after the birds and the owner just stands there looking gormless. There are no signs in the park regarding leads but surely it's common sense to keep a dog on a lead around birds/other dogs/small children.

I don't have a dog so not sure if I'm just being grumpy - AIBU?

Strong prey drive?
Mine has a strong play drive.
I caught her with a hedgehog the other week. Carefully sniffing it and trying to make out what it was. Not all dogs are the same

TBF there's not much a dog can do with a hedgehog! The little buggars curl up and are protected by spiky spines. Any dog worth it's while will exit quickly .... Not much point hanging around a flea ridden, spiky hedgehog! 😱

Nope. It was ambling round the garden! She lives with two tiny cats. We do regular countryside and woodland walks. Plenty of wildlife around. She would rather sniff the vegetation and seek out other dogs to play with.
My cats on the other hand? Now they can be vicious.

Good God! That's terrible, dogs belong in dog parks period.

Not in the UK @helacells. We don’t have them.

My old boy was a demon for bringing me pigeons-in front of other dog owners, little swine. I don’t take him near ducks/swans since he swam out in front of a barge on the canal to get a duck!

One of the youngsters caught a pigeon in the garden last week. I was not happy. They ignore them on walks, cos they train when out so they’re more into fetching the dummy/ball.

Squirrels are fair game, IMO, as are pigeons and bunnies. As a pp said, free food! They’re raw fed so quite used to whole bunnies. There are always pheasant in the freezer, for eating or cold game training.

I avoid childrens’ play areas, no-one wants dog shit there and I don’t want interruptions.

I find the squirrels and magpies the meanest fuckers. They quite regularly fight on our fence. Our dogs have no chance of getting anywhere close to them!

If my dogs caught the fucking wood pigeon that wakes me every morning at 5.30am I'd serve it to them on a golden platter.. Or the manic magpies.. With the best will in the world the dogs won't get a sniff in.. There's no chance of them catching a bird that flies.. unfortunately..

@SneakyGremlins I've lost our thread! Everyone has name changed. Are you all hiding from me? 😭

yanbu
those dogs are not under close control, as per dangerous dog act, and their owners are arses.

Most dogs can dream on about catching a squirrel. They are far too fast.

And to be honest if they catch a bird there was probably something wrong with it.

Until the day dogs learn to fly I think it's fine.