Dogs off the lead in children’s play areas

[Runnersknee]

Just got back from a country park with my toddler - the children’s play area wasn’t fenced off but it was full of little children playing.

A group of mums came along with 2 huge dogs off the lead - one was a Doberman and the other I’m not sure of the breed but it was also really big.

The mums just let their dogs run in amongst all the play apparatus and get in all the children’s spaces - the Doberman ran up to a dad with his tiny toddler and licked him on the face and the owner didn’t even apologize or take any action whatsoever.

Aibu to think it’s completely unacceptable to allow your dog to roam around a play area ?? The park emptied out extremely quickly needless to say.

As a side note, does anyone have any advice on how to handle this if it happens again? All the mums in the park were quite shocked and didn’t say anything apart from one mum shouting at the dog to shoo it away. Particularly if a dog licks you as surely dog owners shouldn’t be allowed get away with that ?

Wow, that’s a bit of a leap. You really thought they’d set the dogs on you?

As a dog owner, no it’s not acceptable at all. I also have a one and two year old that play in children’s playgrounds and would not be impressed at dogs running around and getting in their way, plus lots of children are afraid of dogs which makes it completely unacceptable, I would never allow my dog off lead in these situations. I echo the poster who advised you to say “excuse me can you put your dog on a lead so the children can play”

As a childless dog owner- I agree, it’s unacceptable. Is there a dog warden? Or a local council that can be contacted?

Unfortunately, every time I have said something like this the owner has either got defensive (dog is harmless etc) or outright aggressive - to the point of being threatened with violence. Like I am going to engage in a fight when I have a 3 year old with me.

Most dog owners who have a dog playing in a children's play area (even when they really shouldn't) still put their dog on a lead or take them away when I turn up with small children, without being asked, or have asked me if we are ok with the dog around. The ones that don't are the ones who aren't going to react well if they are told.

If you were crouching down playing with your child & a massive dog came bounding over, surely you would be petrified?! I felt sick watching it play out as seeing a dogs face so close to a man & child, I assumed it was about to bite it

Not set the dogs on me, but if the dogs sensed tension I was concerned they could become very defensive of their owner.

I’m not too familiar with dogs but as far as I know Dobermans are traditionally guard dogs

Although I don’t understand your fixation on the dog licking someone, no the dog shouldn’t have been there and it’s not acceptable but a lick isn’t exactly going to hurt anyone.

THIS

How would you like me to come over to you and lick your face? It’s disgusting!

To be honest, I'd rather a dog licked my face than a person.

Bottom line is that you should have enough control over your dog so that they aren’t getting close enough to someone to lick their face !!!

I would be livid if a dog licked my face, absolutely disgusting and not mention dangerous seeing as it could easily be a bite

@ViaRia01 I'm sorry you're upset by my post, but it feels like I can't go anywhere now without people's dogs running about off lead. In the past month or so I've seen a dog owner allow their dog to trot about inside motorway services and another allow their dog to run around on a stretch of beach with big No Dogs Allowed flags. Dog owners see other people take their dogs everywhere and decide to do the same. And then we end up in the current situation of every cafe, park, town centre, outdoor space full of off lead dogs. And owners who think it's fine.
As you can tell this thread has been very "triggering" for me!

"As a side note, does anyone have any advice on how to handle this if it happens again? "

Use your words and ask the owners to put the dogs on leads.

Is there are no signs saying dogs on leads or no dogs I would’ve assumed dogs are allowed there. There are lots of country parks near us where natural type play equipment is open without fences and my off lead dog is with myself children and I.

although you are still expected to have control of your dog and I wouldn’t have let my dog go up to or lick anyone. Obviously it’s different if the kids or adults want to fuss the dog he is allowed to be friendly then.

That’s all well and good but a huge Doberman coming up to you putting their jaws and sharp teeth very close to your face or hands or whatever - the few seconds prior how do you know at that moment it’s going to lick rather than bite. Especially if you’re not used to dogs.

To make it impossible for the hideous little prick to draw toddler blood. Or parent blood. Or lick them with its disgusting shit-gobbling / bollock licking mouth.

Go equipped.

The mums were just chatting away completely ignoring their dogs who were bounding round all the play equipment & getting into everyone’s personal space.

Would you allow your dog free roam in that scenario or keep it close to you? As that was the main issue for me.

@CurbsideProphet i feel exactly thr same as you, dogs are just everywhere now & many owners seem to have no consideration or control.

I’ve reallr enjoyed the hot weather as it’s meant we’ve finally been able to go to our local recreation ground and enjoy the space without it being full of off lead dogs (despite signs everywhere saying they need too be on leads)

I’m very nervous around dogs and desperate not to pass this onto my children but scenarios like yesterday make it really hard

@Runnersknee very large dog owner here, who has a friendly dog. At no point is off the lead in a public place, let alone a Childs play park.

No dog irrespective of size should ever be off the lead in area children are playing enclosed or not. At 65kg I won't even let my dog off in a open field. He has good recall, he sticks to you like glue. But is friendly and that can be jarring for anyone dog lovers or not due to his size for him secure dog fields are where he is off lead.

And if you see someone with a small or big dog off lead in a childrens play park tell them to recall the dog and put it on the lead.

Dogs should not be in children's playgrounds. Usually all the ones I go to there are signs to say no dogs. I agree with a pp to speak to the country park admin and explain what has happened, the danger to children and lack of fencing and signage. Hopefully they will take action. As an aside I was at our fenced and signed playpark the other weekend and some total idiot brought his XL BULLY dog into the playpark (unmuzzled and on a stupid rope lead, not even a proper lead). We exited quickly and I resisted the urge to run with my four year old. The man looked rough as anything so no way was I even attempting to engage in conversation.

Agree with this. I’m actually quite surprised there’s nothing preventing dogs from being in a playground. Assuming it’s owned and run by council/county council, I wouldn’t be surprised if they’re leaving themselves wide open for being held at least partially accountable if anything was to go wrong.

The entitlement of dog owners truly knows no bounds! Would you like it if my toddler came and licked you? Or pawed you with their sticky fingers?!

Keep your “fur babies”on leads and away from children’s playgrounds!

I take it you’re not a dog person😂

Say there’s melted chocolate I. The grass and choc biscuits or whatever- leave a wrapper around as proof

When i was out with a friend & our kids years ago, a dog ran up & was quite excitable around us. Her dds were terrified of dogs so started screaming & crying. My yelled at the owner "come and get your dog!!!" She was normally quite shy! The owners needed be told firmly