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?

Absolutely not.

I live in a seaside resort and seagulls are an absolute pain in the arse (I know they were here before us, but still doesn't stop them being a pain!) but I'd never dream of chasing or hurting one. I'd gently shoe them away if they were coming close but never chase!

Well is it alright for me to chase your children until they are terrified and panicking? I mean compared to me your kids are small and insignificant. No?

Then don't let them do it to the ducks! What just because they're little they don't get the same basic courtesy you'd give any other living, sentient animal?

You'd not let them do it to a dog or horse in case it hurt them. So you're basically teaching them that it's OK to frighten and hurt others as long as they are smaller and not capable of fighting back. Stellar parenting there.

No it's not okay at all, just shows a complete lack of respect and care, especially when the parents are watching, and don't intervene and tell them not to. I will always say something, and I don't care if the parents hear. If enough people tell them off for it, maybe at some point they will think about their actions and stop doing it. Very young children can and should be taught kindness, and how to treat animals and people, and by they're old enough to be running around they are capable to understand that it's not acceptable to chase animals and scare them. My kids grew up with animals and knew from babies the right way to stroke a dog or a cat, that they mustn't grab fur or pull ears, and that we are kind to animals big and small. They would never stomp on an ant, and get visably upset when other children ever did, and hated it when they saw others chasing the ducks at the park, or scaring off pigeons by running at them. My niece is a bloody nightmare for this though, and my sister just let's her do it. And now she's done it so often she just finds it funny and doesn't understand when I, or others, try to stop her. Completely my sisters fault, as she's never taught her that it's not okay, so now it's become the norm. Infuriates me, and I now limit time with her, as this is just one example of the overall bad/passive parenting that has created a child with absolutely no respect or boundaries for anything, and every outing is highly stressful. Respect and kindness can be taught so early on, and unfortunately alot just don't bother, and then wonder why their kids grow up to be disrespectful, mean teenagers and adults.

As a previous goose owning person, i'd take my boys for walks at the park, yes, obviously seeing someone walking a goose is a novelty, so expect to be stopped a lot, but my god, some of the little shits accompanied by their parents would chase them something rotten even while the parent was stood talking to me and not say a word about it! I was furious, they aren't like dogs being prey animals and something big chasing you can really stress them out!

Chasing any wildlife is wrong.

Don't get me started on how many adults would say to the little ones "Oh, look at that person walking his ducks!" they don't even look the same!

Yeah "maybe" you should, if raising a respectful, kind young man is important to you? Which I assume it is. Lifelong empathy for humans and animals starts early on, it's your job as a parent to teach him right from wrong.

I'd say if they'd not seen them before and got excited, I'd think a kid of 4 or so might instinctively do it, but they should be corrected.
You can look at them but not run at them, shout at them or try and touch them. Or throw stuff at them!
Me and my dad found a swan that had been shot in the neck once. It still upsets me now 40 yrs later!

I've actually seen parents stand idly by and even laugh while their toddler runs into a flock of pigeons and scares them.

No, it isn't okay, ever, for a child to learn that tormenting/frightening nonhuman animals is okay, or that those animals exist for our enjoyment. This is where speciesist beliefs begin and take root, in childhood.

I agree with you but at least pigeons can fly away. Ducks can't at this time of year.

Yes. If you don't, then you'd be 'that parent'.

AKA - A bit of a dick who can't manage their child and complains when little Johnny turns into a resident nightmare.

@Bubblesallaround
have a look at your local wildlife trust events page. They do phenomenal events for toddlers and young children. Normally very cheap, things like pond dipping, tardigrade hunting, owl pellet dissection, bat walks. As a family we have learnt so much from them, they are fantastically run and so good for you and your child to learn about nature and how fascinating it is.

Of course it's not OK to chase ducks, or kick at pigeons, or anything like that that kids regularly do, and yes I always tell them to stop.

I am a vegetarian, but would also expect meat-eaters not to cause stress or potential harm to wildlife for fun.

You're aware that humans ARE animals right? Mammals, to clarify. Not as intelligent or evolved but just as capable of feeling as we are. In fact that makes it worse as they are not capable of understanding that its just a child.

Did you know that pigeons are monogamous? They choose the same mate to breed with every year, even 'date' and eventually build a nest together. There's a whole courtship ritual. They feel. Maybe not as complex and as wide a spectrum as we do but they are capable of feeling love, grief, fear.

Teach your child some respect and empathy for other creatures.

Aww that's lovely

Of course it’s wrong to let your kids chase ducks.

Just like it’s wrong for teenagers to chase toddlers.

I can’t imagine ever going to a park and start chasing all of the little kids.
I’d end up having the police called on me.

It is up to the parent to teach their kid not to be a little bully and that means by treating others and animals with respect, especially those that are smaller and weaker than you.

Animals get chased to be eaten - they literally think it’s life or death.
If you chased an animal too much it would die from fright or exhaustion.

A child does not have that survival instinct and would likely think it’s a game and understand that the person is just chasing them for ‘fun’, like many chase games that they play.

If they were being chased to scare them, then this is the same fear that an animal feels.

So it is much crueller to chase an animal (especially a prey animal) than it is a child.

We wonder why there are so many dog attacks on kids - because parents do not teach their children how to behave properly around animals.

It’s NEVER ok to chase any sort of wildlife & I would & do point this out to anyone doing so. It’s disgusting.

Not ok. The amount of times I've seen the same thing though re kids and ducks or pigeons...

One Christmas Day there was a young couple allowing their puppy to dash about near an adult 🦢 swan.

Swan hissed a few times, and obviously knew it could escape and plopped into the lake.

The puppy carried on running after the swan and disappeared under the water.

It’s owners panicked, but were able to lift the puppy out by it’s saturated coat /harness.

I have seen people allow their dogs to chase cattle, too- Idiots.

There was a case a few years back near me of a dog that was chasing gulls and chased one off a cliff. It didn’t survive, I don’t think.

I think I heard of that story.
If people think their dog is likely to chase, best to keep it on a leash for the safety of all.

@TartanPaper I googled- several dogs have chased gulls off cliffs and survived!
I’d not want to take that risk.

My dog once picked up a young Crow
It’s parents went crazy, unsurprisingly
I said “ LEAVE IT!” And thankfully she dropped the baby who was unharmed

We bought some food ( corn and mealworms)to leave for the Crows by way of an apology.
The Youngster is full sized now, he or she has a grey marking on the left wing.

Thankfully the parents are ok, too
I thought they’d remember us.

Not OK, but I wouldn't say anything and risk anger from the rough, undisciplined type of parent who lets their children do this.

It makes me so sad to see any living thing scared.

Obviously, not the scared kids when I shout at them!🤣

Not OK but I do think there’s a massive disconnect between MN and real life as everyone I see out and about just lets their kids run after pigeons/ducks and pull the heads off flowers etc.

I do say something but I’ve been told to mind my own business by the parents more than once. And some respond by encouraging the kids to do it more.

I don’t think people have much respect for wildlife in general these days to be honest.

(Am vegetarian and have never eaten duck.)

Absolutely not ok for anyone to chase wild animals. Total stupidity by the parent allowing it to happen and teaching the child some pretty shit values.