Parking when there are dogs around

[TheQuirkyMaker]

I was in our local park yesterday, talking to another dog owner, when an SUV swept in right beside us, halted, and reversed into a parking space. As it reversed, I slapped it on the roof. The driver jumped out, angry, and I think was ready to give me a slap. I said the car park was empty (it was, it serves about 200 cars) and he had no need to park next to us and potentially hit a dog. He said he was parking near the skate park for his children, and our dogs should be on a lead (they weren't). They are elderly, obedient little dogs, and don't need to be on a leash but they are little and could be hit by a car.
I told him to "F--- Off" and felt okay at the time but couldn't sleep last night for worrying who was in the right.
Was I the unreasonable one?

Everybody is entitled. No one has responsibility. We can do whatever we want. Who needs to work or get an education- it is all on TikTok, know what I mean?

there is a psychological phenomenon called flocking which explains why people gravitate to others in a space with lots of options such as an empty car park or cafe.

If your dogs are your ‘cherished company’ then maybe look after them? I would never have my 12yo spaniel off lead in a car park and even if I did, the minute a car entered I would have her back on lead. You’re angry and lashed out because you know you’ve done a stupid thing but it’s easier to blame someone else.

I think dogs should always be on a lead in a car park. No exceptions, no matter how unlikely they are to go anywhere. Then you 100% know they're safe and you would not be to blame for anything that might happen.

Having said that, if I had a big car and a choice of spaces, I'd park at least a couple of spots away from anyone standing in the car park, whether or not they had dogs. Again, then I'd know I'd done my best to give them a wide berth.
I also think kids should jolly well walk a bit and it is not life or death whether or not their parents park as close as humanly possible to wherever they're going.

You have made up all sorts about this poor man.

You've decided you're justified to do something you shouldn't really be doing - having dogs loose in a car park - because they're old, you're old, etc etc

This man could equally have his reasons for wanting to get as close to the skate park as possible. He could have a child who likes to run off or has special needs. He could have all sorts going on in his life. It's not just you that has issues that make you 'angry at the world" you know? You don't get to treat other human beings as emotional punch bags.

Who are the twats who park next to another car in an almost empty car park? Fucking idiots

Little dogs “wandering around”? It’s a car park - maybe don’t let them wander around?

Plus, since you haven’t mentioned it, and I get the feeling you would if it had happened, he didn’t actually nearly hit a dog. So you are complaining that someone parked near you, without causing any problems.

ohhh parking AND dogs in one thread

You can’t reason with stoopid. Hopefully you have learned your lesson and will put your dog on a lead in a car park in future. That way it will have a chance to die of old age rather than trauma.

The irony! Take some responsibility for your behaviour yourself!!

Now you're frothing at the mouth..........again.

Perhaps see someone about Anger Management?

Oh and the proportionate response to someone parking next to you in an empty car park is maybe an eye roll or a tut or a shake of the head. If you're banging on their car and telling them to fuck off then you are a far bigger twat imo

Surely he could have run over your dog whether it was on a lead or not if the driver parked that close to you & your dog hadn't walked off at all. Otherwise I'm assuming your dog was a distance from you which us unacceptable in a car park

I have some sympathy for the op. Yes her dog should be on a lead but people should drive slowly and carefully in a car park. It's almost like the driver did it to prove a point. Also what if the op had toddlers with her instead of dogs? Even if you were holding their hand it would be scary.

No, I don’t know what you mean.

Woman stands around chatting in a car park then is shocked and disgusted when a car parks near her

OP you give the rest of us dog owners a bad name! Unbelievably entitled by you.

Do you know I think this is a troll now. I’ve replied really nicely to you so far. I thought you were beginning to see the “other side of the coin” as any balanced argument does have the other side of the coin, especially when you admitted that maybe you’re just as old as your dog and angry at the world. Tbh I’m no spring chicken to be on this type of community either. I suspect we’re the same age. Lots of people write on this site through lack of experience and immaturity. You and I are neither of those. I’m prepared to say we’re actually the other way, old enough to be cranky and old enough to know better. But really what person at our age wants to go round tellling people to firstly fuck off and then write after all this reasoning that you still think they’re a cun!
You must be a troll or completely deaf to the response that you’re getting. It’s a shame. I thought to be begin with , you really had got caught up in the emotive moment and really had a chance to think on it and reflect.

Nobody should be standing in parking spaces chatting in a car park, whether they're alone or with kids and / or dogs.

Stick to the path / edge of the car park and maintain close control of anyone / thing liable to do something unpredictable.

You were partly in the wrong because your dogs should have been on a lead.

He was wrong because he's an imbelice for parking next to someone else in an empty car park. I HATE people who do that - f* off and find a space where your next to no one. Why are you parking so close to me in an empty car park. JUST NO.

You hit his car. For zero reason. There is no way he could ever be the one in the wrong.

He didn’t hit your dog. He wasn’t about to hit your dog.

Your dog should have been on lead, in the car, getting into the car or on the field.

You were violent and aggressive to a man parking his car with his children.

Good engagement for the sale however 🤣

Yes, you are entitled and you are indeed taking no responsibility for your actions.

This has to be a wind up.

It’s a car park - clue is in the name. He can park where he wants and none of your business even if he does decide to park next to you.

You are unreasonable for not having your dog on the lead in the car park for their safety.

You are an idiot for hitting his car.

You are deeply unpleasant for swearing at him.

HTH

You’re digging yourself a deeper hole every time you post. He parked for the convenience and safety of his children. The length of the walk to the skate park is irrelevant and it’s not for you to judge whether his kids were capable of walking it or not.

Safety is a factor here - it’s a car park (although you seem to think it’s a hanging around chatting while policing other peoples’ movements park) and they’re hazardous for children. The general principle is that the less time children spend walking around where there are moving vehicles the better. So the man was looking out for his childrens’ safety by parking closer to the entrance to the skate park.

Parks aren’t exclusively for dog owners. They’re there for the use and enjoyment of everyone. If this is a genuine thread can l suggest that you substitute some of the time you spend in the park with anger management classes, because from where l sit, your sense entitlement is causing you to spiral. Oh and maybe you should follow this man’s example by prioritising your dogs’ safety around moving vehicles, just as he did for his children.

He can park where he likes in a public car park.