To hate it when parents allow their kids to mistreat dogs?

[YourFinestPantaloons]

Went to a kids' party last at DD's school friend's house and they had a Labrador, who is about 18 months old, there who was allowed to roam freely. The birthday girl and her sister (8 and 5 respectively) were trying to ride the dog like a pony, using her as a step to reach high places and grabbing her face and rubbing it roughly up and down. All in front of their parents, who did nothing.

I've seen this a few times over the last few years, why is this ok?! Why do people do this? Is it just me? I'm sure they will be the first to blame the dog if the poor thing ever retaliated. I'm not a dog owner (or even particularly a dog lover) is this the done thing?

I'll confess I told her (birthday girl) not to do that when she used the dog's head as a step to reach something from the fireplace. She just looked at me as if she'd never once been told by an adult not to do something, and carried on

I think some people (some idiots) think that the dog must be fine with it or even love it if they're not leaving, and that the dog will bark before it bites so they'll know it's had enough without their child getting bitten. Both are stupid and wrong assumptions, but I think that's why they think letting children 'play' really roughly with the dog is fine.

It's totally irresponsible. We are very careful to manage DD's interactions with DDog. DDog is very gentle but we don't let DD annoy her, chase her, touch her face, etc. It's a shame because I think growing up with dogs is so good for kids, as long as it's properly managed. I already notice a big difference in how unfazed my DD is by dogs compared to some of her peers with limited exposure to them.