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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think that dogs in park should be muzzled?

147 replies

hawkgirl · 09/03/2010 21:25

I live in London where quite a few teenagers have fighting dogs in the park around babies and toddlers. Its been a bit scary at times and I know i'm not the only one who worries.

It must be hard to enforce some kind of police control on who can and can't have a certain dog breed, but thinking that around areas where small children play that all dogs should have a muzzle.

OP posts:
LaurieFairyCake · 09/03/2010 23:12

My spaniel does not need a muzzle.

The bunny beats him up when he goes for a sniff.

as do the cats.

and at one point a squirrel scared him half to death.

Agree sledgehammer to crack a nut

Original poster
hawkgirl · 09/03/2010 23:13

Bit hard when i'm against violence to all. (also think i'd be in danger of being knifed)

Have called the police before but its very low in their priorities.

OP posts:
ThatVikRinA22 · 09/03/2010 23:17

my dogs are these....does anyone truly think i should have to muzzle them?

cute

Joolyjoolyjoo · 09/03/2010 23:17

YABU- not all dogs need to be muzzled. A truly aggressive dog could bite through a basket muzzle anyway, and mikki muzzles which keep the dogs mouth shut, are not appropraite for wearig while a dog is exercising because then it can't pant properly- very discomfiting for the dog.

The answer is that the laws we ALREADY have in place, which deem ANY dog out of control in a public place as an offence, need to be better policed.

This insurance idea is a load of bollocks, IMO. impossible to police, and of use to nobody- would you really be happier that the dog that bit your child was insured? Would that comfort you even for a second? Wouldn't comfort me!

SingForJoy · 09/03/2010 23:19

We have playing fields with a fenced off playground that we have to walk through to get to school and it is full of unleashed dogs. Tbh I may be being naive but I trust most people to know the temperament of their dogs, and if they have judged that the dog will not randomly attack children I don't see that it's a problem. We do get dogs approaching us and luckily haven't had any problems. Obviously you do get idiots who will let aggressive dogs roam free, not sure what you could do to stop this without punishing the sensible majority.

Vallhala · 09/03/2010 23:25

Alleljah! A parent who respects that the vast majority of the dog owning public wouldn't let their dogs run if they were a danger to other's children!

The times I've been out with my DC and dogs on commons/fields etc had people shout and swear at me as I have been calling back my near perfectly re-call trained dogs (who live with kids and cats) because of course they think my dogs will attack them. FFS the man passing me in the high street might pull a knife on me, it happens, but I don't shout and swear every time a man is within 50 yards of me!

princesszelda · 08/04/2010 12:36

I can't believe any of you are seriously suggesting a dog's need for exercise should come above our childrens' right to safety. I also live in London and my walks in the local park are plagued by large dogs, particularly rottweilers running unleashed, unmuzzled and free to as they please.

I have a 3 month old baby girl. One bite from one of these animals could be enough to kill her. It's quite simple. Have a list of breeds that pose a danger to children and legislate that these animals have to be leashed and muzzled at all times in public places.

Give the park rangers and police the power to remove and destroy the dogs. The irresponsible owners are of all ages. Not just the young.

How many more children have to die, be maimed, mauled and disfigured before we get our acts together on this. Sometimes I despair of this country. If we put as much discussion into human rights as we do animal rights it would be a much nicer society for all.

Check Wikipedia for the legislation currently in force in Ireland. Much more effective.

follygirl · 08/04/2010 12:56

My mum has a gorgeous cocker spaniel. She has been around my two children (3 and 5) since my mum brought her home. She is NOT dangerous and it would be ridiculous to put a muzzle on her. She is kept on a lead in public parks and is very well behaved.
I don't think it's fair to say that all dogs should be muzzled. My mum's dog is more likely to lick someone to death than bite!

Rosa · 08/04/2010 13:12

In Large parks there should be a fenced off area for dogs to run free chase balls, play etc . However in public areas I think that dogs should be kept on a leash all be it a long one.

Alouiseg · 08/04/2010 13:19

As usual it's irresponsible owners who spoil it for the responsible aware dog owners.

EldonAve · 08/04/2010 13:19

Most London councils have a parks police - phone them and report the irresponsible owners when you see them

Otherwise YABU

fanjoforthemammaries7850 · 08/04/2010 13:21

Surely if they are "fighting dogs" they are supposed to be muzzled anyway?

CurlyCasper · 08/04/2010 13:31

YABU. Muzzling dogs creates fear - in both the dogs and people.

Sometimes dogs wear head collars or muzzles for health/practical reasons, yet people who see them with such gear on act as if they are dangerous. So if every dog was muzzled you'd be creating an atmosphere of fear - which even the safest of dogs might react to. You'd be pretty defensive if everyone you walked past reacted as if they were seeing a mass murderer in their midst.

Personally I'd be happy if the parks maintenance people in our area bothered to mend the holes in fences etc which separate the playpark from the large park from the cemetery. Then dogs could be contained in one space and everyone could relax a bit more. (yes, a dog should be trained to come back - but you try telling that to a part-greyhound that's just spotted a squirrel legging it into the graveyard!)

Muzzle the bad owners. Educate anyone suffering irrational fears. And let's train our children to be more open and accepting while we are at it.

There's nothing worse IMO than seeing a child that's scared of even the smallest of creatures simply because their parents' "protect" them from everything and anything.

rocknstroll · 08/04/2010 13:42

staff problem in london is out of control. it really is. It grates on every single family day out we have to the park - the fear of a slobbering staff running up to one of my kids and attacking them. some of them are on leads and they are with adults who you can tell are completely in control of the dog, and although i think the breed is revolting, i don't feel so nervous of them. HOwever many of them are on leads being walked along by a little 4 year old or something! If the dog decides to run, the kid will just get rushed along with them. I'd ban them from parks, and from council estates or in fact any high density housing - it is not fair on the dog, or the neighbours.
And I'm not 'anti-dog' - just back from lovely holiday at hotel with resident dogs who were adorable, wandered everywhere, played with by dcs and were a genuine pleasure to be around. But in London, the dog situation really is a massive problem. I'd actually go out and campaign for a political party that set out a credible solution to this.

2shoes · 08/04/2010 13:46

yabu
fighting dogs ffs
you need to learn about the breeds before you judge them
ny dog can attack or get into a fight not just staffs.
(hides stupid ignorant thread)

stleger · 08/04/2010 13:48

Living in Ireland, I don't see whole lot of enforcement of legislation here. A dog licence is about 12 euros (must renew mine), I doubt many owners have them and they are never checked where we are. Free range dogs (not just off lead, but no owner) are an everyday sight. I have insurance, it is for vet fees as well as 3rd party. Is UK pet insurance the same? I know 2 muzzled dogs, they are racing greyhounds.

DrNortherner · 08/04/2010 13:48

YABU.

It's madness to suggest that all dogs should be muzzled. Yes, muzzle dangerous dogs but not all dogs. My labrador is an absolute darling, and has never shown aggression to another dog let alone a person. He is used to small kids and imo he is bomb proof. The majority of dogs are friendly, and will mot harm anyone.

Rosa - you say that all dogs should be on a leash in public places, well all outdoor areas are public places so where would you suggest we exercise our dogs off lead?

I agree that there is nothing worse than hysterical kids who are petrified of dogs because of their equally hysterical parents.

rocknstroll · 08/04/2010 13:48

I know any dog can. Its just whenever a dog has killed a child on the news...well, it is hardly ever a labrador is it!

fanjoforthemammaries7850 · 08/04/2010 13:56

my comment was not clear. I meant if they are certain breed of dangerous dog such as pit bull terriers, then they are supposed to be muzzled anyway, I don't see a case for muzzling ALL dogs.

TheArsenicCupCake · 08/04/2010 14:02

Yabu.. Yes some dogs need a muzzle, the majority don't. I personally keep my spaniel on a lead for local walks.. She still gets a good run as she either runs with me or alongside my bike.
She goes off lead when we're out in the country.
Her recall is fantastic as is her instant down stay.. But I am very aware that in busy public spaces children and a lot of adults don't like dogs.

I would love to see more dog parks tbh.

onagar · 08/04/2010 14:06

"nothing worse than hysterical kids who are petrified of dogs because of their equally hysterical parents"

Well... there are the hysterical kids in hospital casualty departments getting stitched up. I'd say that was a little bit worse wouldn't you?

"Muzzling dogs creates fear"

On that basis having seat belts in cars creates fear.

Of course it's the owners that cause the problem really rather than the dog. But it's like guns. Guns can be safe, fun and useful, but in the wrong hands kill people. It would be nice to find a way to only let the right people have guns, but until there is it's better that people are not allowed to walk into a park with a shotgun or a large powerful dog perfectly equipped to kill small children.

TheArsenicCupCake · 08/04/2010 14:15

On a slight aside if we are to have insurance and licences.. IMO these should be an anual thing available from the vets, maybe at the same time as a yearly health check and jabs etc an all info of owner, up to date vaccinations/ worming insurance and licence should be on a collar tag.
On the tag could also be whether a vet believes the dog should wear a muzzle.
It would be quite easy to do and any pcso or police or dog warden etc could easily check up on it via a quick look at a tag.
Any dog without a tag , the owner gets fined..

This could be payed for on a post office stamp thing each week or on a monthly thing so it's not one big fee in one go. But I think it might encourage more responsible ownership.
Or something like that.

stleger · 08/04/2010 14:22

I'd like to see something like that Arsenic. I'd at least like a collar tag to show that the dog has a licence and a chip.

izzybiz · 08/04/2010 14:37

I agree something needs to be done about these youngsters having strong breeds as status symbols, but to muzzle all dogs is unfair.

I am a (nearly) 34 year old married mother of 3 children and I have researched and chosen to have a Staffordshire Bull terrier as my family pet.

Some resons I chose this breed- The only breed to have the words "totally reliable" in its breed standard, the Staff is one of only two breeds from over 190 recognised by the KC to have a mention of its suitability with children. People loving, protect people not property, biggest people lovers in the world, Known as "the childrens nursemaid", "the nanny dog" Their tolerence of and affection for children is well known.

These dogs are just the latest in a long line of "dangerous dogs" that some people like to use as a status symbol, we have had German Shepards, Rottweillers, Dobermans etc.

Bad owners = bad dogs

My viscious, dangerous, revolting dog will be raised properly, my children will be raised properly and learn to treat her with care and respect, same as they should show any dog regardless of the breed.

My dog is already insured, microchipped and tagged, as all responsible owners do.
I will keep her on a lead if there are lots of children around, of course I will, but I am not going to muzzle her when she has done nothing wrong.

MrsC2010 · 08/04/2010 14:41

Staffs are the loveliest temperament dogs when bred and treated properly, it is so sad the name that some irresponisble owners have gotten for them now.

Anyway, YABU. This would be no easier to legislate than any existing legislation, and it would only be responsible dog owners like myself and others on here that would listen. Despite the fact that my two are soppy great creatures who are scared of their own shadows and wouldn't know what to do with themselves if I put a muzzle on them.