Was I right to get involved?

[NewLifeNewName26]

Something happen at the weekend and it’s playing on my mind, so I thought I’d do a poll to see if I should have got involved or not?

At a national park over the weekend, in an area seat up for children with Go Ape, numerous playgrounds and bike trails, plus a Room on the Broom trail. So, a child friendly/focused place.

A family with their 2 x primary aged children and a spaniel type dog (off lead) were gathered at the side of the path, next to a playground. Their dog was running in and out of the bush and it became clear that the dog was playing with a baby squirrel. The grown ups in the family thought this was hilarious and commented that the dog was just following it’s instincts.

I watched for a short while and it was clear that the family was not going to move the dog away from the squirrel. The dog came out of the bush with the squirrel in its mouth, the squirrel escaped. I took hold of the dogs collar and said “shall we move the dog away from the squirrel”. The grown ups said the squirrel had instigated the interaction with the dog and had been baiting the dog. I said the squirrel was clearly terrified and needed the dog held back so it could escape. The squirrel ran away and the family put their dog on a lead. I was concerned that the dog was going to kill the squirrel in front of a large number of children.

should I have got involved (YANBU) or should I have just left the dog to terrorise the squirrel (YABU)?

😆 🤣

Why is this funny to you?

Seriously you don't need to ask that do you?

But anyway, well done for intervening and for being so restrained in your interactions with these clueless idiots.

No you were not unreasonable. It’s reassuring to know that there are still some people who are prepared to do the right thing.

I cannot fathom parents who encourage cruelty in their children and worse find it humorous to watch.

Good on you for giving the squirrel a chance of survival. Disgusting how they could sit back watch and let it happen. Sadistic that they think it's funny. Of course you're not being unreasonable.

Beggars belief people would sit by and watch and laugh at an animal in distress, caused by their own animal.

I'd have been mortified and wanting to save the thing, take it to the vet (wanting to cuddle it, make it all ok and make it a pet probably!)

I don't understand the point of your post!
None of us are going to say were bu 🙄

I would have got involved. I have told people off for harassing wildlife a few times

Because the family just stood there finding it funny that their dog was playing with a squirrel, and tried to defend the dog when I suggested we move the dog away. And I get the whole “it’s natural behaviour (for the dog), etc., but thought next to a children’s playground wasn’t the best place for it.

Someone has said IABU, I’d genuinely like to understand their thought process.

This never even happened so yabu

Some people shouldn't have dogs. Or children. Of course its natural, that doesn't mean you just let it happen, especially in front of a group of kids! Dogs are domestic pets, they don't need to hunt for food so should not be permitted to terrorise the wildlife.

I have a horse, it's natural for him to kick back when frightened. Does this mean I'd let him boot a child in the face for standing too close? No! He's been taught not to and has a pretty good grasp of what is and isnt a threat. Train your animals!

I've never seen a baby squirrel. Maybe they do get eaten by dogs! They obviously didn't disagree with how you handled it though, the dog people?

I can't stand people who find cruelty amusing. I had this great aunt who had a really unpleasant streak. She had this Scottie dog she absolutely worshipped and she'd actually encourage it to chase cats? Like she'd go 'ohhh look, go on Spiffy, get the cat, horrible cat, good boy, that's it, chase it...'

As a cat owner and general animal lover it made my stomach churn. Luckily the dog never actually did what she said!

They might have clicked wrong or be a sociopath with little empathy for animals. The majority agree with you. Don’t focus on the one outlier

Well, the owners obviously thought it was completely fine.

Whether it was next to a children's playground or not, I would most definitely have done the same thing OP. In fact I have on numerous occasions over the years. It's not just about dogs either (I love dogs by the way), I've intervened when kids are tormenting wildlife. It breaks my heart.

Good on you OP. Those people are clearly arseholes.