To think kids should not chase pigeons

[greentreesdream]

I’m aware miserable bastard of the year award might belong to me but it pisses me off when I’m quietly making my way through a town or city centre and a flock of alarmed pigeons come flying towards me at eye-level.

There’s also something horribly aggressive in kids who stamp at them.

AIBU / miserable or do others agree it’s a bit of a shitty thing to do?

Shouldn’t chase any animal tbh

I hate it. I am very scared of birds, to a level where I can’t even watch films of them, and it freaks me out when kids make a whole flock fly up as I try to edge round them.

@Carycy

Oh for gods sake. Try stopping my happy two year old boy. Seriously there are worse things in life. Get a bloody grip. Kids really should be seen and not heard in this country. It’s so sad.

What? You can't control your two year old? What sort of a parent are you?

Being cruel to any animal for fun, is pretty dire and yet you seem to think it's okay.

You're the one who needs to get a grip. No wonder our country is going to the dogs.

YANBU I hate this too! I dont understand why parents allow (sometimes encourage) their children to scare animals! My DD is very gentle natured and even commented "bad kids" when we saw two 4-6 year olds chasing and attempting to kick a flock of poor pigeons. I was horrified their mum stood laughing!

YANBU. Horrible behaviour. I'm not remotely an animal (bird?) person but wouldn't stand for my children doing this, it's cruel.

We often go to a little farm where children are allowed into the goat pen to feed the babies. The amount of children chasing the animals whilst the parents smile indulgently/take photos/ignore them is awful. Not really the children's faults, just shite parenting.

Kids are hardwired to chase pigeons. I’ve never come across one that doesn’t do it. Dogs are the same. 🤷‍♀️

Carycy

This is one of the reasons why society is failing because people like you have the ‘I’m alright Jack’ attitude. How can anyone think it’s acceptable to let their children scare animals like this? Just because your child is having fun does it make it ok that it’s frightening or hurting other animals?
As parents we have a moral responsibility to teach our children to respect our world and everything in it and not to be selfish and self entitled.

I don't think that @Carycy can't control her two year old. She thinks it's fine for him to get his jollies scaring wildlife - it makes her 'so sad' that anyone would have an issue with that. Bit odd that, of all the things happening in the world, people having an issue with animal cruelty makes her sad, but I suppose it takes all sorts.

As for kids being 'seen and not heard' - what an absolute crock. I love seeing kids play. Luckily many other parents can think of other fun activities for their little darlings apart from tormenting widlife.

@Carycy

Oh for gods sake. Try stopping my happy two year old boy. Seriously there are worse things in life. Get a bloody grip. Kids really should be seen and not heard in this country. It’s so sad.

I would love to stop him. Shame his mother is too ignorant to do it.

Just to add... my DD who comments "bad kids" when she sees this is also 2 years old so the comments about all kids wanting.to chase pigeons is blatantly untrue. My sister and I also never chased pigeons

@Alsohuman

Kids are hardwired to chase pigeons. I’ve never come across one that doesn’t do it. Dogs are the same. 🤷‍♀️

Bullshit. Neither of my children ever expressed an interest in scaring birds. Clearly some kids do enjoy it but that's where parenting comes in - or should do - just like when one kid whacks another over the head at soft play.

I dunno, I wish a few kids would come round here and stamp at a few, can't get rid of the bloody pests, tried everything.
They just stare at me and coo, not fun at 4am.

Kids are hardwired to chase pigeons.

Where is this bullshit from? I never, and nor did my siblings. Neither do my children.

@Alsohuman

Kids are hardwired to chase pigeons. I’ve never come across one that doesn’t do it. Dogs are the same. 🤷‍♀️

I used to run away.

YANBU

pigeons are vermin that needs to be killed, not tormented for fun.

Well mumsnet is full of nasty judgmental vipers that’s like to judge and throw names at people they don’t know. Clearly.
I’m not ignorant. I have three kids to watch. If I am walking along a path and my 2 year old runs at a few pigeons that fly up and then settle in another spot totally unharmed I can’t get overly excited about it. Sorry.
No need for nasty name calling. I am very well brought up thankyou. My kids are polite, kind, loving, don’t drop litter etc etc etc. but please judge away. You are all better then the rest of us ....

Sure my typos will be pointed out next as is the mumsnet way.

This bullshit is from living the best part of seven decades and having observed it happening in numerous countries by children of many nationalities. They all do it.

Yanbu, it’s horrible seeing kids chasing pigeons, my children never done it, it’s cruel and unnecessary. Leave the wildlife alone!

And stamping at them! What’s all that about?

YANBU at all, op. I hate this with a passion. It's important to teach kids not to be cruel to animals but also to treat animals with respect, for their own safety in other situations.

And as for the poster who said they couldn't stop their 2 year old from chasing birds . . . Presumably that means that you can't stop your child from running into the road into oncoming traffic, too?

Well I don’t generally let him walk freely along the road!. I am talking about if we are walking along a path around a lake for example.. getting rather pedantic here.

It's just a cruel thing to allow a child to do. Mine were not allowed to do it and would often comment when they saw other kids doing it.

Don't get why anyone would think that's ok behaviour to be honest. And worse to just shrug shoulders and say " ach that's what kids do". No it isn't, and as a parent it's your responsibility to show them how to behave, you know, parent your child.

Not really pedantic at all. So, the birds are collecting near to the edge of the lake and your child decides to charge at them. You can't stop your child, as you've previously said, so he might end up diving headfirst into the water in pursuit of said birds.

Also, child gets a little bigger and decides that tormenting pigeons is no longer challenging enough and goes after a group of nesting swans. I don't need to tell you who will be the loser in that bout, do I?

It really isn't a difficult one to grasp.

Oh I’m sure a lot of kids DO want to do it but that’s the point isn’t it, kids need training on how to be decent humans.

Why not get him a ball if he wants to chase something cary?