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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

T o let my son chase pigeons

376 replies

mrsruffallo · 02/10/2009 14:19

DS loves chasing flocks of pigeons. Every time we go to the park he and his friends scream with delight as they fly away.
Woman in the park today got very angry and told me that 'pigeons have feelings too' and that IT WAS CRUEL.
Funnily enough there was something along similar lines on CBeebies the other day.
AIBU to think it's just a bit of fun?

OP posts:
valhala · 03/10/2009 21:49

Not me, Groundhogs, Chocco is far funnier and smarter than I am.

morocco · 03/10/2009 21:50

pigeon pie is quite tasty - that's a positive surely

whomovedmychocolate · 03/10/2009 21:55

yummy!

MamaGoblin · 03/10/2009 21:58

Has anyone linked Poisoning Pigeons in the Park yet?

Letting my son chase pigeons is quite cruel I think - he's only 19 months and can get quite upset when they fly away!

whomovedmychocolate · 03/10/2009 22:01

Yup I did earlier which kicked things off a bit!

MamaGoblin · 03/10/2009 22:01

That'll teach me to comment without reading the entire thread first!

whomovedmychocolate · 03/10/2009 22:04

Ah don't worry I enjoyed your comment - I get quite upset if they move when I steer towards them with the buggy.

glasjam · 03/10/2009 22:04

Ha! Smallorange - I think a rather large penny may have dropped with your name. Do you know who I am by any chance?

smallorange · 03/10/2009 22:09

No! But I've read some of your posts and I think you live in the west end. And yes my name certainly gives me away to people who know me- do I know you? Give us a clue....

cheeseandeyeballsarnie · 03/10/2009 22:12

my friends thought it was funny that ds2(only veggie child they know-they dont mix much)was the only child on a playgroup day out to chase the chickens around the farm yard.the veggie animal terrorist.

glasjam · 03/10/2009 22:18

Well you can't know many people who lived above a Jedi can you?

smallorange · 03/10/2009 22:24

A ha! May the force be with you...

whomovedmychocolate · 03/10/2009 22:30

And where do we stand on allowing toddlers to chase vegetarians - I mean, they're mostly a bit anaemic aren't they, surely even an unfit child could outrun a vegan

cheeseandeyeballsarnie · 03/10/2009 22:39
Grin
glasjam · 03/10/2009 22:41

We must meet up some time soon and terrorise the pigeons in the Botanics Congrats on the recent addition btw. Be good to catch up again... I'll see if I can find an email address for you.

sarah293 · 04/10/2009 08:41

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

lostlenore · 04/10/2009 10:50

I don't think your son is doing any harm, but agree with the gilded Gibbon - it teaches a lack of respect. I was just on holiday and saw a boy who must have been about 5 chasing stray cats outside a restaurant and screaming at them, presumably his inattentive grandparents thought he was whooping in delight, but it was all I could do not to get up and give him a bollocking myself. If it was cats chasing pigeons i wouldn't bat an eyelid but children need to be taught not to frighten or hurt anything smaller than they are.

sorry

alysonpeaches · 04/10/2009 11:08

I know children do it but I think its to be discouraged, as is chasing cats and tormenting dogs. I dont make a big thing of it, but toddlers are distractable arent they? Chasing pigeons as a toddler sends a message to children that its ok to torment animals, cos they are just there for their amusement.

pigleychez · 04/10/2009 12:18

Goodness me... why does everything have to be so over analysed.

I really dont think letting a toddler occassionally chase a flock of pidgeons is really going to turn them into an aminal abuser!

Allets · 04/10/2009 12:25

Whatever next?

Bashing on the glass at the pet shop?
Pulling the puppy's tail?

Never too young to learn about respect! Letting your child terrorise innocent animals is not a great way to start.

FleeBee · 04/10/2009 13:34

The thing about pigeons small brains is worrying me. When I was younger and being a bit of a numbo, my dad would exclaim "even pigeons learn quicker than you!!!" So now after reading this I realise that learning as quickly as a pigeon might not have been the greatest thing to aspire to. Ah well!

FWIW I can't bear the sound of the wings flapping, it goes right through me like nails down a blackboard, so I avoid the toddler chasing pigeon scenario as it gives me the willies.

GreenMonkies · 04/10/2009 16:11

it teaches a lack of respect

children need to be taught not to frighten or hurt anything smaller than they are.

Never too young to learn about respect! Letting your child terrorise innocent animals is not a great way to start.

Nuff said.

edam · 04/10/2009 16:13

I'm all in favour of teaching children to respect animals but toddlers chasing pigeons doesn't seem like a big deal. Pigeons are perfectly capable of looking after themselves. Someone aiming at them with an airgun - bad. Toddler chasing them - hey ho.

hifi · 04/10/2009 19:22

jesus, another chilhood caper being eroded.dd chases them but wouldnt dream of harming an animal.

IWantCleanCarpets · 04/10/2009 20:03

YANBU!!!