Childless dog owners at kids park

[Canisaysomething]

My DCs school has a children’s park right outside. There is no fence around it and nowhere does it say “dogs not allowed”. Dog owners with children at the school let their dogs walk about the play area and this isn’t normally a problem at all.

Here is my AIBU. There’s become an increasing number of childless dog owners going to the park before and after school to let their dogs “socialise” with the children using the park. I had to ask a dog owner the other day to call their dog away from my child trying to use the swing and was shouted at by the owner who said “she’s just excited and trying to play”. The dog at one point chased after my child who got scared and upset.

Here’s my AIBU. Who was right? Me or the dog owner?

There were no signs saying “no dogs” but aren’t dogs meant to be trained NOT to bother strangers? Especially children in parks.

Exactly

🙄 Not another one!

I can't believe how many dense posters there are on here. 😂

Is this kids park literally just a very small unfenced area of play equipment?

No really, the park has become a meet up spot for dog owners socialising their dogs hence my post. It specifically happens when the park is busy before and after school so it’s definitely intentional.

Or maybe they're taking thier dogs when they finish work or after they've picked thier own kids up?

YABU they've got every right to be there.

I think you need to check with your local council as to whether it should be fenced off. My understanding (england) is that play parks have to be fenced with gates and signage up detailing who is responsible for maintaining the park. I'd ask them to put No Dogs sign on the gate.

It’s a collection of play equipment that is unfenced within a bigger green space. There is plenty of green space for dogs to run around elsewhere and this is what used to happen. But there is a new group of dog owners who have specifically started to encourage their dogs to play amongst the play equipment and to interact with the children there before and after school.

Yes lost count now, seems to be every day this week.

what about asking the council very reasonably to fence the play area?

No dogs means no dogs
It doesn't mean dogs but only for those with kids
It means no dogs
It's only two words
It's not a long sentence
If i see a sign saying no dogs i don't take my dog because that's what it says

Op there are many ridiculously selfish dog owners around who believe dogs have the same rights to be anywhere as people do and everyone should accept their dog/s

If people want their dog to socialise with children do this around children you know if not get a rescue dog that is used to children

In my experience it's the dog owners with kids that let the dogs run wild. 1 year of a fur baby then kids come along and dog is ignored.
Result is dog is left to own devices, is arsehole and argument is 'but he lives with my baybeees!'
My dog is regularly chased and attacked by three dogs on the beach who are miles away from owners busy dealing with kids in car seats or on swings. No interest at all.

One dog bowled my elderly mother over. Owner was busy corralling children at the swing set and didn't even notice. I told her and she looked at me like I was an idiot and said 'I'm looking after the kids!'

Fair enough, that’s not on.

I really don’t understand why any dog owner would want their dog to interact with random children.
Have they told you that they want their dogs to play with children or are you assuming this?

Unaccompanied by a child (childless) at the point of time OP is seeing them. Not infertile

The childless part has no relevance.

Sorry i misread it
I thought she said there was a sign
There is no sign
We have one of these areas in our park. When i go early in the morning with the dog there's no kids there but if there were kids playing i would put my dog on a lead

YANBU. I once had a very angry man come up to me while he was walking his dog in a children’s play park and say that it wasn’t fair that kids were taking over the park and there was nowhere for dogs to walk/play. It was a children’s play park - on the edge of a national park (ie bloody loads of space for dogs and their owners). Increasingly I find that dog owners are really entitled and will just do as they please regardless of how others feel. Not everyone likes dogs around their kids - and saying ‘they’re friendly’ means nothing really.

That's not what 'childless' means.

No I don’t understand it either it’s only started happening recently and I was shouted at when I challenged it. Hence my AIBU. It’s definitely intentional, they could meet to socialise their dogs together without children at the other end of the green where there is plenty of space to do so. They specifically meet at the play equipment.

I assume you wouldn’t let your dog on / near the playground equipment though, even if there’s no sign and no children playing?

OP I honestly thinks we must live in the same place as we have a playpark just outside the school grounds and it is fucking over run with people there with their dogs, bounding around 'playing'.

People will come into the park at the top of the hill and let their dogs off the lead, the dogs will immediately tear down the hill making a beeline for the play park. The owners are miles away at this point.

I am very grumpy about dogs because my kids are terrified of them and I hate all the selfish dog owners everywhere now. I am thinking about writing to the council to ask for a 'no dogs' sign for the play area at least.

It’s so strange. I love dogs and absolutely agree that they need to play and socialise with each other, but every responsible dog owner will want to keep their dogs away from children, especially large groups. Maybe raise it with the council and next time a dog owner challenges you ask them what they think will happen if a dog was to injure a child, even if it was accidentally. It’s irresponsible and not fair on the dogs either

Of course it is. Are you the poster who gatekeeps references to “child-free nights out” and “child-free weddings”?