Is it ok for kids to chase ducks?

[QuackersQuestion]

Today at a family attraction, there were quite a lot of ducks, and a big lake. Lots of space for kids to run around.

Two primary age kids were chasing ducks around. The parent was loosely with them, could see what the kids were doing, and allowed the kids to continue to chase the ducks. Probably for about five minutes. No contact made with the ducks, just chasing right behind.

Another member of the public came into view, with their own family. And called out firmly but calmly to the two kids "Don't chase the ducks, that's wrong". This was the only person to comment out of quite a few passers by.

The kids ran away, the parent was shocked but said nothing, the commenting member of public kept walking. No great drama.

But it got me thinking. So my question is, is it bad for kids to chase ducks - YABU. Or is it ok for kids to chase ducks - YANBU. If you don't think it's ok, would you tell a kid who was chasing ducks, to stop?

How would you feel if a massive giant chased you around and put you in fear of your life? Pity your poor kids being taught by someone with such a shitty moral compass.

I don’t mind if they chase off seagulls. We are often inundated and have had a number of picnics ruined by them so it seems like self preservation. I used to work at a place that fed the birds and all the outside space was covered in bird shit. Lots of wild geese too who seemed to do these enormous sticky poos that needed scrubbed off the decking. Fair enough to feed birds in the winter but it’s unnecessary year round when food is more plentiful.

Why do you think a pigeon deserves pain and fear but a duck doesn’t?

Showing yourself to be dick.

pigeons no but seagulls yes?

weird

Well I must be cruel then because we keep ducks and my DS used to chase them around the garden when he was 3 🤣
But seriously I think it's harmless as long as it's not going on for a long time. I frequently have to chicken or duck chase if they get out of their pen, it's better than letting the dog chase them.

Seriously?
It's a lake, and they probably get fed. It's probably a good place for them to live in most ways, doesn't mean they enjoy being harassed.

Do you feel the same way about other birds eg flocks of waders on beaches in winter? For them, letting kids or dogs chase them can deplete their energy and impact their chances of survival. They come back to the same place because where else can they go?

Don’t let my children do it (not that they would - they like animals and understand it’s unkind) and I have told children not to do it to ducks and pigeons on several occasions.

I can't stand seeing kids doing this. I don't even condone my kids killing bugs and demonstrate to them how we rescue them from drowning in the paddling pool, put spiders out rather than squashing them etc. I've drilled into them that all living creatures deserve our kindness and would never allow them to chase any animal.

There are some nastily behaved children about.

The other day we were in a Park, and a dog was sitting quietly by itself, and a boy with his mother walked by, Boy, about 5 picked up a stick and threw it hard AT the dog.

I said ''OI! DON"T throw sticks at dogs!'' - the mother said absolutely nothing.

It starts with the parents.

Good on the person who called out the duck chasing kid.

Absolutely this. When. DS was 4 he refused to go further on a walk we were on until he had rescued a beetle from the path we were on. Kindness to all animals is so important.

I wouldn’t let my own children do this when they were little, but probably wouldn’t intervene if it was someone else’s child and the parent was right there.

@QuackersQuestion
Can I ask where you stand on the matter because given your voting options that state YABU = it's bad to chase ducks, would seem to insinuate that you think it's okay?

Humans are awful.
This is not ok, poor ducks.

it would have been more than 20 years ago when my dc were young and an older lady did show her displeasure that my dc caused the pigeons to fly
i have have a ddog who would also rush at a pigeon and a seagull and shock horror, i might let her, a little bit
we were eating a picnic, kept being approached by ducks, the dogs went crazy, we moved away, but the ducks kept returning. obviously the need for food outweighed the barking dogs

No, I've never let my dc chase any wildlife. It's teaching them basic respect and kindness for living creatures. I won't let them kill spiders either.

I probably wouldn't intervene with someone else's children chasing ducks, but I'd definitely judge them for it.

@WearyAuldWumman

you can toggle between choices. So just go and change your vote

I tell any kid chasing an animal, and I’ve encountered plenty, to stop. They always do. Never had a parental confrontation yet. They just shuffle away looking (rightly) embarrassed.

It's OK to eat them, but not chase them

Ahahaha kids who chase seagulls or GEESE will swiftly get a lesson in why that's a bad idea without anyone else having to intervene. Very bad idea to mess with geese, the most "fuck around and find out" creatures in the whole animal kingdom.

Not clear on the voting - is yabu = it is bad to chase ducks?

i think the voting was more to do with intervention

Exactly what I always think when I read these sort of threads. Either everyone on them is vegan, or else they’re just enormous hypocrites 😂

I am vegetarian actually and, like other posters, feel very strongly about cruelty to any living animal (yes, including invertebrates). So that makes me qualified to comment in your eyes I suppose! I'll have a go.

The reason why this annoys me more than eating meat is that it is directly and deliberately causing distress to an animal for no reason other than your own entertainment (I get they are children and don't understand so my judgement goes to the parents). And there is the contrast between my own enjoyment and sense of privilege watching the birds content in their environment and seeing someone break that peace for their own amusement. It irritates me to see parents, who are meant to be instilling values in their children, ignore or actively encourage this low level cruelty.

I also have a sense of you should instinctively know better that is cruel to frighten a bird. Whereas most of us have been conditioned to eat meat, it is very socially acceptable and very easy to be blind to the cruelty involved in the meat industry. It takes quite a lot of effort and strength of character to break that so I try not to judge anyone for eating meat.

I don't think I am an example of group think - I actually muttered crossly to a friend about kids chasing pigeons in my local park only a couple of weeks ago. But I take your point that it's almost a unanimous 'no' here and yet if you go to almost any park you will see this going on. I find this quite heartening actually! That actually I'm in a silent majority and it's just a few idiots letting their kids do this. Made me think I might actually have words next time I see it.

that's a relief @brightdazzling that i am not the only idiot, or WAS not the only idiot regarding pigeons

No of course it's not ok to chase ducks or any wildlife. Both me and DH have told children off for chasing ducks, pigeons etc. Terrible parenting.

Sad really that the poll is not 100% against the chasing but, obviously, some twat parents here