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Original poster

What is the law regarding dogs on leads in parks hassing small toddlers and slobbering over them please?

145 replies

oliveoil · 03/01/2007 14:14

Do they have to be on a lead in parks or "under control" in some way?

I am sick to death of having something the size of a donkey come lumbering over and scaring my children, whilst the owner yells (from a distance) "ooooooh it's ok, he's lovely!!!".

I DON'T CARE! GET IT'S STINKING FACE AWAY FROM MY CHILD!

And they shit everywhere.

So. Can I complain to anyone or is that it, put up and shut up?

Thanks.

OP posts:
Original poster
oliveoil · 03/01/2007 14:16

ITS STINKING FACE

Ahem.

Blame ranting.

x

OP posts:
CantWaitForTheSnow · 03/01/2007 14:17

Unless there is an actual sign saying to keep dogs under close control or on leads, I'm afraid I don't think there's ything you can do. Of course you could try more subtle things like a high pitched 'dog repellent'

Boobooroastingonanopenfire · 03/01/2007 14:17

If the dog is not being aggressive, and comes when called, then no - it's not illegal.

I suppose the owner should be paying attention and call the dog off if you're uncomfortable, but that's down to sensitivity on their part.

Original poster
oliveoil · 03/01/2007 14:19

What if it puts its stinking paws on their chest and makes them cry?

Can you tell I don't like dogs?

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KathyMCMLXXII · 03/01/2007 14:24

Oliveoil, my dh would be cheering you on on this thread - he is always getting jumped up on by dogs while jogging round the recreation ground (and as it happens dogs are not ALLOWED on the rec ground, but I'm not sure who he's supposed to report it to - the police would not be too interested, I suspect )

I agree with you to some extent: stinking faces I am not bothered about, but I am at a loss as to why owners think it is ok for their pets to frighten small children - if it was a random person yelling at a child and making them cry we would be up in arms (even if the person thought they were joking).
Also, how come so many dog owners think it's ok to let their dog jump up and put muddy pawprints on your clothes? No matter how lovely the dog is (and I don't mind them myself), you couldn't just go up to someone and throw mud at them, so how come it's ok to let your dog?

marthamoo · 03/01/2007 14:25

I was pushing ds1 in his buggy through the park one day (Edgeley Park actually, olive - do you know it ?) when a boxer bounded up to him, put its paws on his knees and slobbered all over his face. He was hysterical and I didn't dare grab it by the collar to pull it off in case it bit him. It didn't come when its owner called it. When she caught up with it, she said "oooh, he needn't be upset...he wouldn't hurt a fly...he loves children."

I'm with you on this one, olive.

hertsnessex · 03/01/2007 14:25

then have a word with the owner. as there is now they unfortunate stories in the news, everyone is out to hate dogs agian.

chilsren arent born scared of dogs - its thier parents influence or a bad experience.

id make them aware that some dogs are dangerous and not to touch etc, but try not to frighten them.

CantWaitForTheSnow · 03/01/2007 14:27

If it actually touches them then thats different (IMO). You need to mention it is a problem to the owners - as dog lovers they will not realise that not everyone likes their dogs. Unless you let them know differently they will never teach their dog to ignore small children.

Original poster
oliveoil · 03/01/2007 14:27

Yes I know it Moo!

We go to Heaton Park most weekends and every weekend is spoiled in some way by some pavement shitter running up to my children.

Dh is er, quite vocal, in telling people to 'desist' but it really gets on my nerves.

This is next to the play area and the farm, not in the miles of wide open grass the dogs have to shit, sorry, run in.

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nothercules · 03/01/2007 14:28

Just to add the other side what about the kids that are allowed to come up to dogs and pet them etc without asking?
Doesnt bother me personally this but the parents have no idea how my dogs are and havent checked it's okay.

I dont let my dogs go up to other people btw unless I know the people. I tend to stick to the same park which is very doggy but on certain days of the year you have families going for a yearly park walk so it's not usually an issue.

Dogs really shouldnt be let off the lead unless their recall is good.

Original poster
oliveoil · 03/01/2007 14:29

I am not scarred of dogs, just find them a pita. Am not putting my dislike onto my children, they seem to like them from a distance but when they are bigger than them, they get scarred.

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Enid · 03/01/2007 14:30

agree with you olive

we have a 'guest dog' at the moment and I am very careful to stop it even sniffing children - she is a lovely dog but why would anyone else know or care?

I hate dogs that jump up.

nothercules · 03/01/2007 14:32

Dogs that jump up clearly havent been trained properly. It's plain bad manners.

Please dont brand all dogs and their owners with the same bad manners.

I always clear up and hate it when others dont as I walk my toddler with my dogs.

Original poster
oliveoil · 03/01/2007 14:32

and and when they get out of the lake and shake all the water everywhere and STINK EVEN MORE

anyway what brought this on is dd2 in a different park at lunch with MIL and a sodding rotweiler which was "harmless" according to the owner. Yeah riiiiiiiight.

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Boobooroastingonanopenfire · 03/01/2007 14:32

I think some children are scared of dogs. Just because of their size and unpredictability.

I am a dog-owner, and don't allow my dog to jump up. I hate it if she does it to me (especially as I'm 7 months pregnant), but I think I'm in the minority. When I tell her to get down, other dog-owners say to me "I don't mind. It's just what dogs do". Yes, they chew furniture and lick faces too. It doesn't mean you can't train them not too!

I think a lot of dog-owners get on the defensive due to people over-reacting to their dogs. I've had people screaming at me because my dog was sniffing something within several feet of them. She's a small dog, and tends to ignore people (as I've trained her to).

If you ask people to get their dog off your child, most would I hope. (Unless, like me you live in SE London. Whole different set of rules...).

Enid · 03/01/2007 14:33

god they really do stink

mine STINKS

and leaves hairs everywhere

nothercules · 03/01/2007 14:36

I think it would good although impractical to have parks where you could only go if you either were taking a dog or didnt mind dogs that way people would have a clearer idea of where they stand. Some people dont mind dogs going over to say hello, others do. It's impossible to know who is who.
People often act offended when I call my dogs away from near them - it's as though I've assummed they dont like dogs when they were actually going to say hello to my dogs but couldnt as I'd called them.

foxinsocks · 03/01/2007 14:37

omg Enid, have you still got the on heat dog?

KathyMCMLXXII · 03/01/2007 14:38

What is the law, though?
If a dog jumped up and damaged your clothes or scratched you (in a sort of minor-but-upsetting way as opposed to full on mauling), what could you do about it? Would it count as the owner assaulting you?

nothercules · 03/01/2007 14:39

I know the law is that dogs have to be controlled - can be off the lead unless stated otherwise but must be within control ie come back when called. No idea about scratching.

DizzyBint · 03/01/2007 14:41

i really don't like dogs. when i was about 8 a huge one ran at me, knocked me over and i bumped my head so badly i was unconscious and had to go to hospital.

Original poster
oliveoil · 03/01/2007 14:42

There are plenty of people there that have dogs off the lead but they come back when called and trot at the side of their owner. Quite impressive actually

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ruty · 03/01/2007 14:43

i agree with you 100% oliveoil. Last summer we were with these people who had a slobbering black retriever. the dog then proceeded to try and lick my two year old's eye out. When I tried to remove my ds, they said, 'oh, don't worry, he's just giving him a kiss.' Er, hello? It is a dog that licks its own shitty bottom! I don't want its tongue in my son's eye thanks! Didn't say that tho, I was being polite of course.

Boobooroastingonanopenfire · 03/01/2007 14:49

\link{http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/welfare/domestic/ddcircular67.1991.pdf\here\ is a link to an outline of the Dangerous Dogs Act.

They point out that the law is worded so that the burden of proof is lower than usual. In other words, they tend to take the word of the person who is worried by the dog - particularly if it is one of the 'riskier' breeds.

This is why people get so paranoid about people being scared of their dogs.

I see it as my responsibilty to protect my dog by making sure she is as well trained as possible.

Boobooroastingonanopenfire · 03/01/2007 14:49

whoops