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.

??? Are you being pedantic about childless/childfree??
I think its blatantly obvious the OP means people at the park without any children!! (But they may have some at home!)

Do you understand the phrase, “in context?”

In the context of her post, it is very clear that that is what she meant by childless. The OP does not know them or whether or not they have children. She is talking about one moment in time, when they are at a CHILDREN’S play park without children. They are childless at the park and letting their dogs chase other people’s kids.

I despair at how poor reading comprehension is on this forum.

This thread is the first time I’ve seen “childless” to mean “not having a child with you at a particular time”.

If you think there is a problem with dogs in an area meant for children to play in then why waste your energy moaning on MN? Contact local councillors and the park management, start a petition, set up a go fund me, do some fundraising, get the school on your side and try to get some fencing put up.

( incidentally I think MOMN, Moaning on Mumsnet would be a great title for a new topic board)

Have you never been to a child-free wedding? I have, despite having a child. Perhaps I should have declined, as I am not “child free”.

Another one who doesn’t understand context and must have a very strange group of friends if she has never heard a parent say, “woohoo, I’m childfree/childless tonight.”

If I go out coatless, it doesn’t mean I do not and never will own a coat….

It should make no difference that it's a park that children use. It's should make no difference if the dog walkers do/don't have children or whoever with them. The important fact is that in any public space untrained dogs without recall should not be off the lead. Totally irresponsible.
If this is happening regularly I'd take a video and forward the evidence to your local council with as much additional information as you have eg did any of ghe dog walkers come in cars?
Using the shared space responsibly is fine.

My point was about childless, not childfree.

This reminds me of when my kids were small and a mad dog woman would bring her dog to the play area. She treated it as if it were a child and would bring it over. I had to be really assertive and ask her to take it away as my dd was scared of it

I don't care if your dog "loves children" my dd hates dogs.

I’m early 60s and my friends are childless, childfree or have grown up children. I honestly don’t remember the ones with children using childfree to describe themselves when the children weren’t with them. Adults only, yes.

This. What a stupid assumption to make.

Not comparable really.

I feel like dog etiquette has gone right out the window. When idiots shout “it’s ok he’s friendly” to me I inform them that I’m not friendly and could they get their dog away.

YANBU. Terrible idea to "socialise" dogs around unknown small children. It just takes one child to kick, yell or run, afraid and one dog to snap and then you have a child in hospital (or worse), a dog PTS and an irresponsible owner up in court facing a prison sentence.

Personally I'd leave with my children as soon as the dogs arrived. I see my social contract with dog owners as going something like this - I keep my children away from strange dogs (including yours), you keep your dogs away from strange children (including mine) and we all stay happy and safe. This social contract does not including offering up my children as a tool for dogs to practice their "social skills" (or alternatively sharpen their teeth) on.

YANBU. I don’t see a problem with dogs being in the park in the first place but they should not be allowed to approach random people, especially children. You never know who might have an allergy or a phobia of dogs. My dog loves children but I never let him interact with them on walks unless they approach him first and the parents say it’s ok. It’s not anyone else’s responsibility to socialise my dog.

All dogs should be on a lead in public places .. with extra care (maybe a shorter lead) when you are somewhere with a lot of people.

Dogs pissing in a kids play area as well … delightful

I find shouting out, "I'm allergic to dogs, please get them away from me" helps.

I genuinely apologise for any offence I have caused for using the term “childless” to describe adults without children with them. This particular group definitely don’t have children at the school. I don’t know if they don’t have children generally.

Yanbu

I went for a walk in the local woods last week and someone stopped me to complain that I didn't have a dog! 🤔😂

Why is everyone getting wound up by Childless - if they don’t have children with them at the time, there’s no reason to be in a kids play park. Even if they have kids elsewhere that’s just weird

I've never heard anyone say they are 'coatless'. You'd say 'I didn't wear my coat' or 'I went out without a coat'.

No-one who isn't trying to purposely be offended/attack you would think that you did mean that. Don't worry. 😂

@Canisaysomething email your local council and request signage be instated about dogs being kept under control or to that effect.

All those unleashed dogs running around, no way are they are pooping and everyone is cleaning up. So, you have uncontrolled dogs and fouling.

Request signage or an inspector to come and look at the situation. They may refuse because most councils have had budget cuts but at least you've tried.

Me too. But it's obvious what OP means, it across what she's trying to say within the context of the post.