Dogs vs outdoor lunches/picnics during lockdown

[Amatteroftime]

So normally I would be on the side of picnickers here, if we weren't in lockdown.

I've seen this happen twice this week. Groups will be playing a game like football and have a picnic set up a short distance away. A dog will be trotting past with its owner, spot the picnic, and sometimes get hold of a little bit before the owners realise they aren't just sniffing the floor and call them back. I've actually seen this happen on lead as well as off lead.
I suppose because nobody is actually sat with the food, it can easily be missed? And currently people won't be anticipating picnics?

In usual circumstances I would think the dog owners are totally in the wrong, but right now we aren't meant to be having picnics in the park, we are meant to be staying at home. Also, because people aren't allowed to drive to places for walks, green spaces seem to be a little bit more crowded in general.

WIBU in these situations? Both parties? I'm curious what people would think with lockdown in place, so possibly under exercised dogs too (I've seen a lot of getting very exciteable on walks because of their walks being cut down, according to owners).

Lockdown has nothing to do with it - you keep your dog under control and keep an eye on it if off lead. I can't imagine this happening with a dog on the lead - you don't let a dog go sniffing next to someone else's property or anywhere near it.
I have two. One is extremely well behaved and obedient. I let her off lead as I know I have her under control. In 8 years she has never disobeyed me. My other dog is more excitable and selectively deaf. So unless I'm on my own with no other people or distractions I keep him on an extendable lead. I pay attention to what's going on, aware if there are toddlers about or other dogs or what have you. I hate it when people walk around completely oblivious to what their dog is doing - occasionally baiting my dog or more usually pooping and the owner not 'noticing'.
People are silly to leave food uncovered (flies, ants, wasps), but there is no excuse for an owner of a dog letting it help itself.

My son sometimes takes the food too

If you leave your stuff laying around unattended then you cant complain if something gets trod on/ eaten.

I'm very much in the camp of keep your dog under control, and would keep my dog away from a group having a picnic, but I can't be expected to be scanning the ground for others personal items deliberately left there.

Also, dont put your stuff next to entrances. Sick of having to walk through peoples picnics and sandcastles to get onto the beach, the steps are very clearly right behind you, there are clearly fences all around. And dont stand at gates either. (Beach issues being a non-lockdown problem but while we're on the subject)

I can't imagine this happening with a dog on the lead

It was one of those flexileads, extended out a way.

I do get it in most circumstances but I'm not sure about it in these conditions. The dog today looked like a crossed, maybe a year old, and I imagine it had a lot of energy to burn if walks per day are being cut down due to restrictions. Normally I'd think it wasn't right but I'm not sure about it when we aren't meant to be out picnicking in the sun. Especially if you're not going to make it obvious that is what you're doing by staying with it all.

And before anyone asks, this wasn't my dog. He was on a lead because of the people playing football, he would fancy joining them.

Lockdown is irrelevant; no dog should be misbehaving like this whatever is going on.

If people can’t train their dogs to not bother others they are not responsible enough to own them.

My sensible side is saying that dogs should be under control on/off lead (although I can see how it could happen more easily if a picnic is left unattended, you might not see it soon enough).

My other side is saying give them dog a medal. If they eat the picnic maybe the idiots will go home where they are supposed to be?

I’m a picnicker, not a dog owner and it’s always been a bloody problem whether you’re sitting eating your picnic or not.
Someone’s stupid, greedy, badly-controlled dog will rush in and either sniff, grab or bounce around begging for food and the owner will squeak ‘Naughty girl/boy’ or some such idiotic phrase and do bugger all. And if you yell ‘Fuck off’ the owner gets annoyed.

I'd say it was a pretty bad idea to leave a blanket of food unattended in a park though Heffa. Yes dogs should be under control but people also shouldn't leave their shit lying around on the ground when they are off elsewhere.

I was having a picnic once and a dog on one of those long, extending leads came over......owner was busy chatting and not watching it and it pissed all over my picnic food! I was not impressed.

My other side is saying give them dog a medal. If they eat the picnic maybe the idiots will go home where they are supposed to be?

That was my thinking really, and I know it isn't fair in normal circumstances. The area around me is suddenly 10x busier with outdoor picnics which is exactly what we have been asked not to do.

I was having a picnic once and a dog on one of those long, extending leads came over......owner was busy chatting and not watching it and it pissed all over my picnic food! I was not impressed.

I don't like extendable leads for this reason. Often I find people are allowing their dogs to be 20ft ahead but not paying attention to them because they're 'on a lead'. I watch mine like a hawk if he isn't on a normal lead.

And if you yell ‘Fuck off’ the owner gets annoyed.

I'd be annoyed if somebody started yelling fuck off at me too, 'get your dog on a lead' does the same job without the swearing.

Never have I heard so much talk of picnics since CV. Rumour has it they may be allowed again next week.
Dismal eating experience in general. Dogs should be on short leads around people but picnic food shouldn’t be left unattended.

I don't own a dog and never, but am totally on the dog's side. If you leave food uncovered and unattended in a public place you'd have to be completely stupid not to expect animals you take an interest! Birds, squirrels, dogs whatever. It's your own fault, put stuff away!

*Lockdown is irrelevant; no dog should be misbehaving like this whatever is going on.

If people can’t train their dogs to not bother others they are not responsible enough to own them.*

Oh come on, the food is on the floor unattended, most dogs would see that food as free food. I mean if the dog had snatched it out of a person's hand or run onto the picnic rug with people sitting around it then that's different. But those people left food lying around on the floor in a public place so they shouldn't really be surprised that a dog got it!

@FlapAttack23 why was you son not on a lead? Hmm?

I make sure my dog keeps away from people, but I do not scan the ground for blankets. TBH outside of lockdown there are generally areas for dog walkers and picnic areas with no dogs allowed.

@Singlebutmarried he was.. he was next to me while I shoveled all the pork pies into my handbag

I'm all for keeping dogs under control (and that doesn't mean shouting at it after it's jumped all over my 3yo). However it's pretty stupid leaving your picnic just lying out unattended and not covered - have these people not heard of flies and animals.

I mean if the dog had snatched it out of a person's hand or run onto the picnic rug with people sitting around it then that's different.

This was my thinking. I remember as a kid, a dog ran and stole my lunch out of my hands on a beach and the owner shouted abuse at my mum when she informed him of it. That isn't acceptable.
But if you're going to leave food on the floor, and not make it obvious that it is there (by sitting with it) I don't actually think it's the dogs fault. And it's not that easy to spot as an owner.

Sorry but if you abandon your open food to play football or whatever then tough! Dogs should be under control but there's other creatures too, squirrels, foxes etc roaming our park in the daytime, the foxes will steal! I've personally never seen a picnic set out and it's intended consumers off playing without one member sitting by the food though - more sensible here. My dog knows better than to ever steal food (I can leave sandwiches on a plate on the floor and he doesn't touch) but not everyone has a dog so disinterested in food.

Don't leave picnics unattended.