Dog in children’s playground

[sally037]

We were at Polesden Lacey (National Trust property) in Surrey recently and saw a woman letting her dog use the children’s playground as if it was a dog park. The dog was going down the slides, clambering across the climbing frames, and generally running around on all the equipment. Being a weekday it wasn't particularly busy but it did seem a bit off that the few children that were there had to wait their turn for a dog to finish.

The owner was very much one of those dog mum types and the dog was all dressed up in little outfits. It looked like a labradoodle type thing.

I love dogs, but surely it’s not on to have them all over children’s play equipment? Especially when little ones are going to be touching everything/putting hands in mouths, etc.

I mentioned it when leaving to the staff on the door but they didn't seem particularly fussed. Is this actually allowed now?

YANBU, I wouldn’t like that at all and would have said something as well.

Welcome to SE England, there do seem to be quite a few thoughtless dog owners in this area IME, although I will accept that they are the minority.

No consequences -> don't care.

I thought most children's play areas don't allow dogs, except guide dogs? That was certainly the case when my children were small, but everywhere seems to be 'dog friendly' these days!

Absolutely unacceptable. My daughter would have made her feelings very clear by loudly screaming and asking me repeatedly why the naughty dogs were in there. All from outside the park refusing to come in as she’d be too scared.

what is wrong with people?!

a local park to me has repeatedly not got a zip line and the council have said every time they replace the seat, it’s damaged again within days. Apparently some people think it’s acceptable to let their dogs chase after it and jump up and bite it as some sort of aggressive training exercise. So the kids lose the zip line.

Another delusional dog owner. Honestly some of them are barking louder than the dogs these days 🙄

Definitely no . What about toxocariasis infection caused by roundworm parasites found in dogs faeces . Kids can get infected due to contaminated soil or sand in play areas . No doubt the owner will deny that their dog ever craps in the play area .

I have a dog and would not allow him in a children’s playground (even though he would probably enjoy it!)

I have dogs and I wouldn't let them go in a children's play area.

If you and the children's parents said nothing, then yes, it's allowed now. We get the shit that we collectively tolerate. In some situations it's dangerous to confront people but in this situation you could have safely challenged her utterly moronic behaviour. I would have. The staff can't be everywhere. You could email the property now suggesting they need a sign saying "No dogs". It's no good venting on Mumsnet. People need to actively push back against dog morons.

I would have said something. The play area shouldn't allow dogs in at all.

However I don't think it makes much of a difference dirt wise tbh, kids are climbing all over the equipment with their shoes on and rolling around in dirt and picking their noses ans scratching their arses etc so the equipment isn't exactly sanitary anyway.

The dog didn’t actually do anything wrong did it? If you are complaining for hygiene reasons, I recently saw a small child eat a worm. No dogs involved.

I love my dog and he would love a play area but I wouldn't take him in one.
My dog has regular medication for fleas and worms so it's not from a hygiene pov it's rather if he a safety pov.

Unless it was an area that was no dogs allowed, then YABU.

By the way, outside is not sterile. A dog on a slide is not going to harm your kid.

My dog was too refined. A wine bar would have suited her, not swings 😂

😂

It's not allowed and I haven't seen a children's playground without a sign that says no dogs, but you aren't dealing with normal here so I'd just forget about it and move on

Dogs around noisy, excited, unpredictable, running children are a bite risk. That's why they shouldn't be in children's play areas. I would have said this to the owner. Having to have your dog put down because they bit a child is not a risk any responsible, loving dog owner would take even if they don't care about children's health safety.

I agree.
Saying that, a dog play area opened up near me recently. Equipment for dogs to play on. Think agility type stuff. FB posts complaining about dogs approaching kids there when it is a dog play park.

agree that dogs shouldn’t be using children’s playground equipment and National Trust sites usually have clear rules about where dogs are allowed. That’s the bit worth focusing on.

The “dog mum", outfits / labradoodle type thing” detail feels like unnecessary detail, what were you hoping to achieve with that? Isn't your question about dogs in general on childrens play equipment? Or are you asking specifically about dogs in jumpers? I'm not sure it matters what the sog is wearing.....

If staff weren’t concerned, it might be worth checking the specific NT policy for that site but no, this isn’t some new normal everywhere.

That’s disgusting. They are banned from kids areas so that kids don’t crawl in their worm infested poo or catch fleas

Hey, I was told here on MN that I needed my head checking because my 15 year old greyhound wore jumpers.

It’s poo would

Fleas thrive on actual animals, not play equipment.

Do you have kids? Nits and thread worms come to mind. Do you regularly worm your kids? If not, why not?

Have you even seen a dog go down a slide in a park, and shit at the same time?
I bet more kids actually do that.

I get you - My small poodle also needs an equafleece in the cold! She also has a blackwatch kilt coat. for Burns night. In the pub. MN will love me 😂

That said, the descriptive detail of the owner here feels beside the point. Whether the owner was a “dog mum”, whether the dog was dressed up, or what breed it was isn't the point .... and it does read a bit like an invitation to judge the owner rather than focus on the behaviour itself.