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.

... and yes to me, my dogs definitely take priority over random strangers & their kids!

Yup. I see that ALL the time when I'm out running and a dog comes bounding towards me, jumping up at me - then the owner strolls around the corner telling me doggy is friendly and maybe if I stopped running the dog would stop jumping. Errr no. I don't want my run to be disrupted and I don't want my Sweaty Betty leggings torn.

It's the 'my dog takes priority over random strangers' brigade.

nb the vast majority of dog owners in my area are courteous. In turn I thank them for putting their dog on the lead, or moving aside if the dog is very lively.

My dog paid all taxes due on his earnings.

How much tax did your children pay last year?

Before you say anything about children paying tax in future - not all of them do - from those who have significant disabilities, to those who have kids young and become SAHMs, to those who spend their lives bouncing between prison and unemployment.

Adults pay taxes, and we provide for our dogs and children alike.

Or "Pedants" even😁Thus proving your point.

Still doesn’t mean it’s sensible or ok to let dogs in the playground bit - they should stick to the field

Pedants' Corner.

Yes, it sounds like the playground bit needs a fence and sign, like pretty much every playground in the UK I've ever seen. And the dog owners have the rest of the park to go in. This works pretty well AFAIC.

eh? Since when does "play park" mean it's fenced off?

Our village park sounds very similar to OP's. It is very clearly a place for children to play. Just because it's not fenced off with a clear sign saying "No dogs" doesn't mean it's a suitable place for dogs to be.

It's clear when people are in the park walking their dogs vs at the park with their dogs.

Our park says dogs should be on the lead at all times. I'd say about 50% of people disregard that. It's not the law so there's nothing the parish council can do.

Oh I can assure you that happens.

My dog has no interest in strangers - he just walks straight past them and minds his own business.

On several occasions I've had children chasing him as he moves away - on one occasion I'd already told a child to stop chasing him, he continued, parents failed to even attempt to control their child, and I had to stand in front of the child to stop them chasing my dog.

On another occasion a child came up from behind my dog and I can only describe them as pouncing - arms in front of them, throwing themselves at a dog that's sniffing a tree and unaware of their presence. Dog jumped out of his skin and had a look which suggested he'd thought, for a split second, that he was about to be eaten by a lion. The parent looked entirely nonplussed when I tried to explain the most basic of dog safety advice - ask before stroking - and that some dogs prefer not to be touched.

Yes. How dare childless people walk their dogs in a park with a kids area. How dare they even leave their houses when people without kids, who of course take priority in life, are outside of their homes.

@Alstroemeria123 well that's the point of the thread. The OP said only dogs who were owned by parents were allowed. Any dogs owned by childless people weren't.

Not 'no dogs' just not 'childless people's dogs'

But there is a likelihood that kids will grow up to be useful members of society. Zero chance of a dog doing that. My kids are of value to widersociety. Your dog is not.

... and where is this lovely place where dogs can play alongside children on the play equipment?

I wanna go there!! My dogs would love it!!

No, the OP thinks it's not OK for people to bring their dogs to socialise with children at the park. She believes people are deliberately choosing to take their dog to the park when they know children will be there so they their dogs can be socalised.

Where has OP said that?

Agree here as well.

I remember being out a walk once with my child a few years ago. This was when she wasn’t long walking fairly comfortably.

A pointer bounded over to us and jumped up in my face, and wouldn’t leave us alone. Was running around the two of us in circles. We’d literally just left the carpark and had started walking on the forest trail, partner was locking the car and had to run over to grab our child and hold her up in the air.

I’m shouting at the dogs owner to get their dog, he then starts running and the dog runs rings around him for 5 mins, continually jumping up at me and my partner and then running off/running back and repeat. By the time he had his dog on a lead, we were both absolutely covered in mud, our child was crying and we were absolutely fuming.

The dog wasn’t aggressive, it was playful, but it was ridiculous. The dog was twice the height of my child, it’s a miracle it didn’t knock her over.

This is why we’ve stopped going anywhere that dog walkers tend to go with dogs off lead. It’s actually rare to see dog owners have their dogs under control and it’s not worth it.

We now have a dog (albeit a small breed) but she always stays on the lead when we’re out. It’s just selfish not to.

Where has OP said that?

In the OP, in fact.

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.

Someone asked on here recently if they would BU to go and stand at a school at pick up time, with no connection to the school, so their dog could get used to being around children. So yes, it might happen.

Shall I start demanding public services for my goldfish as well then?

I'm sick to the back teeth of the 'he's only being friendly' as their dog tries to slobber over me and they smile indulgently as the bloody thing carries on
I usually respond with "Take your dog and fuck off with it."
I don't care if people think I'm mean or nasty, so what?

If dogs are allowed in the park, then there's nothing you can do about that. But the owner you mentioned was incredibly rude not to call her dog back when you asked.

I'm frightened of dogs and have had to shout to owners to stop their animals bothering me, and for them to ignore such a request is disgraceful. I hate the 'he's only playing....' line.

Your kids may, or may not, grow up to be of value to wider society.

They could grow up to be a net drain on society.

They could grow up to be antisocial neighbours, petty criminals, unemployed, or otherwise a drain on society.

At least my dog will never have a prison stay, education, benefits, pension or healthcare paid for by the taxpayer. You cannot say the same about your children.

In any given year 40% of households take more in cash benefits than they contribute in tax - and that's before we've accounted for non-cash benefits like healthcare, education, libraries and so on.
https://www.resolutionfoundation.org/comment/give-or-take-whos-making-a-positive-net-tax-contribution/

I prefer the term childfree for starters. There's nothing less about not having children if you choose not to.

Is there a sign saying that dog owners without children are not allowed in the park (or anywhere for that matter).

You are being an incredibly smug parent.

Future kids paying taxes vs. dogs paying taxes on their earnings 😁There are some real nut jobs on MN. Nobody cares about your dog apart from you. The world doesn't revolve around your kids or dogs so get over it.

Nobody cares about your dog apart from you.

Very rarely does anyone care about someone else's child either!

100% with you on that one.