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?

Dogs should be tied up outside children’s playgrounds with no exceptions except for guide dogs.

Things that didn’t happen…..

I get that dogs are annoying, but I wouldn't complain from a hygiene point of view. The kids themselves will have trampled through all sorts, birds will have shat on every inch of equipment, etc

It's insane, but I would have liked to have seen it.

I don't think hygiene is an issue. Presumably the kids are running over it with muddy boots/shoes so their feet are no cleaner than the dogs feet!

All dogs? Even if you don't have kids in the playground? What an odd sight that would be! And how long should they be tied up for? It's going to really add time onto my dog walk if I have to tie them up outside a kids playground every day.

Wondered when someone would mention 💩

Bird crap
Fox poo , Fox wee
Rats & Mice
Cat wee & poo
Squirrels - i suppose they shit and pee as well (though I've never seen this now I think of it...)
Shoes all over equipment that will have walked on a path where horses crapped and people spat

.... have I missed anything? The outdoors is not sterile. Best not to think about it too much.

If she let the dog poo on the slide then that is completely unacceptable, but the OP makes no suggestion that this was the case. It would also be unacceptable if someone let their child poo on the slide so it's not really a dog specific issue.

I hope you took pictures, that sound amazing. I bet he/she is sound asleep having very happy dreams just now about the days it's had. Just beautiful 🥰

It's a children's playground, not a dog's playground. What about kids who are allergic or scared of dogs? Why do they have to suffer because of a ridiculous owner?
If my kids were there I'd have said something along the lines of why is your dog in the children's playground? Please remove him so my terrified child can play in the children's play area. If no-one said anything then that's on them.

Massive apologies and I was probably being a little judgmental so I am very sorry for that especially if I caused offense to you.

I guess I was just trying to set the scene and explain what type of person it was i.e. in my mind the type of person who infantalises their dog and thinks of it as the equivalent of a human child.

I personally think a little judgement is fine when a person is behaving like this. I’d have been judging her hard.

Of course there shouldn’t be dogs in a children’s playground. That’s really irresponsible of the owner and of the staff not to take your information seriously.

I'm sure you have realised by now OP that many dog owners are complete morons who think their precious fleabag is equal to ( or far better than) any human, be it child or adult. They feel it's perfectly fine to ignore the rare 'no dogs' signs. Not sure what you can do about it though, as any reprimand will no doubt risk at least a foul-mouthed rant.

In my experience when you challenge people like this it ends badly. Dog owners with this level of entitlement tend to respond aggressively.

The National Trust have very clear rules about where dogs are and are not allowed, I’ve never seen anywhere that lets dogs into a children’s playground . I would raise it again with the Trust and ask them for clarification/to ensure the rules are complied with. That said, it’s not the Trusts fault, it is the moronic owner who is at fault ( and yes, I have a dog but it only goes where it’s actually allowed , not where I feel like taking it!)

Well a quick google has told me that dogs are not allowed in kestrel corner which is the children’s playground in Polesden Lacey.
I would have asked the woman to remove her dog and told her that if she didn’t then I would remove it.
I did exactly this a couple of months ago when a woman put her dog on a seat on the train. I have also done this when people have taken their dogs to children’s playgrounds.
If the dog was exceptionally large or fearsome then I would have gone and found an employee to do this. I have also done this.
If the dog had been a guide dog then it would not have been on the children’s equipment.

Oh I pressed the wrong button. YANBU. I doubt NT would have been impressed.

I hate dog people...

Tbh usually had signs saying no dogs allowed

I would have said something to the owner

tho I’m sure if they designed a dogs playground with swings and slides etc fences to jump over /under it would get used

maybe becharged a few pounds to use it

Clumber Park is also National Trust and has two dog paddocks, one with agility equipment and one with trees, free to use. I take mine there!

The dog was going down the slides?!?!?!?

I’ve heard it all now.

YANBU. One reason why I’m glad the NT properties near here don’t allow dogs!!

Its poo can just as easily be trodden in on shoes and I highly doubt cats and foxes are so considerate. Play parks are very unhygienic places.

Shouldn't be in there with children present though. I'd have no real objection if it was empty, though it's a bit of a bizarre thing to do.

I’m sure they love 💓

Nice to know 🙂