Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Other subjects
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:
misdee · 03/01/2007 18:17

my dd1 wasnt afraid of dogs. she is now, after being knocked flying by a dog at the lakes, who then jumped all over her and wouldnt let her go to her grandad. she is 6 years old. she starts to tremble and cry if she sees a dog, and made me cross the road the other day to get away from a dog that was on one of those extendable leads.

i dont dislike dogs, but i dont like jumpy dogs on those stupid leads.

wannaBeWhateverIWannaBe · 03/01/2007 18:26

Slightly in defence of the ?he won?t hurt you? brigade?

Sometimes it is necessary to tell people that a dog won?t hurt them, like when I walk into our local tescos with my guide dog and a child refuses to go in/out/past wherever I am and starts screaming uncontrollably because they?re afraid of the dog, the dog that is on a lead, in harnass, and is perfectly under control and wouldn?t hurt them. I say it without even thinking, I don?t expect children to stroke my dog, but I do offer the opportunity as many children have been encouraged to stroke my dogs by parents who wanted to help them overcome their fears, and it has helped immensely. Dogs jumping up at people out in the street or the park however is unacceptable and their owners should keep better control of them.

This histerical dislike of dogs that seems to be everywhere at the moment does annoy me somewhat though.

misdee · 03/01/2007 18:29

actually wannabe, dd1 encountered a guide dog today. i explain it was a guide dog, helping the lady 'see' and it was a dog that wont bother her at all. dd1 visablly relaxed, but not completely til lthe dog had gone.

SaggarClaus · 03/01/2007 18:45

As an adult, if something the size of a small pony came galloping towards you, you'd be a tad afraid wouldn't you? To a small child that's how a dog appears. Saying 'it won't hurt' is small comfort.

As a jogger I get seriously pissed off by owners who allow their dog to come yapping around your ankles or running alongside. The dog is probably perfectly docile normally but if I stand on it's paw or kick it in the chops (by accident) then it's not going to be very happy. Most owners hold on to the dog whilst we pass and always thank the owner for doing that.

WideWebWitch · 03/01/2007 19:01

I detest dogs and it REALLY pisses me off when people shout 'oh, he won't hurt you' - I agree, they don;t KNOW he won't, he's an animal. With you oliveoil, totally. And I don't think they should be allowed in parks mostly. Because an awful lot of owners don't clear up the shit, which is vile.

Judy1234 · 03/01/2007 19:08

A lot of people walk dogs on this road with a plastic bag to clear it up, but you don't get it all up, not unless you have some kind of industrial tool and disinfectant so even picking it up doesn't solve the issue.

On the fear thing and the guide dog reference actually one of my twins adores dogs. My ex said if I died they could all have a dog. They used to go out with notebooks and ask the name of every local dog being walked, knew all the breeds etc. My sister's twins are scared stiff of dogs and I do think she's really communicated that fear, always saying in front of them they're frightened of dogs etc almost invented the fear and yet I'm the life long dog hater and she was supposed to be the dog lover.

Boobooroastingonanopenfire · 03/01/2007 19:10

For those of you who were kind enough to ask further down the thread, my dog is back from the vet, and they couldn't find any obstruction, thank god.

She's all woozy and keeps falling over, poor little thing.

(Sorry for hijack).

FioFio · 03/01/2007 19:12

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

3rdTriMossTer · 03/01/2007 19:29

Booboo so glad to hear your dog is okay! Do they know why she is losing weight then?

handlemecarefully · 03/01/2007 19:33

"A lot of people walk dogs on this road with a plastic bag to clear it up, but you don't get it all up, not unless you have some kind of industrial tool and disinfectant so even picking it up doesn't solve the issue."

Oh fgs some people are never satisfied.

christie1 · 03/01/2007 20:08

i AVOID parks where dogs run unleashed because they alarm the kids and I can't relax and let hte kids run. Having said that I appreciate most dog owners are really great. They keep the dogs on leash when kids are close, sometimes they come up and ask if the kids want to pat the dog, and show them how to do it. I don't let my kids pat dogs or go near dogs in general but when the owner is good like that, I invite the kids to gently pat it's back. I have had bad experiences with dogs, one bounded up our driveway and jumped on my son, no owner in site (he is terrified to this day of dogs), another stuck his nose in my pram with my newborn in it and when I pushed the dog away the owner screamed at me for hitting his dog and another women let her 2 big dogs run through the school playground equipment while my son screamed in fear. my dad was a school teacher for over 35 years and swears dogs and kids are not a good combination until kids are at least 10. They are animals and kids are kids, they can get hurt.

handlemecarefully · 03/01/2007 20:14

christie1 - thanks for acknowledging that most dog owners are great....it is only a minority of wanky ones!

christie1 · 03/01/2007 20:22

It is sad really, because the small minority ruin it. I truly think animals are wonderful and would love a dog for my kids when they are older. I think it teaches kids kindness and responsibility and pets are great for adults too, someone to love and all that. When my kids are gone I am sure I will have at least a cat. For now, we have fish. I am not against dogs at all but some people do not deserve dogs .

HuwEdwards · 03/01/2007 20:27

Whilst I agree with the general sentiment,I would however like to point out that there are parents who ignore or actively encourage their kids to approach and stroke dogs they've never seen before without even acknowledging the owner.

Now my dog, whilst he's great with my kids (who put his ears in bunches etc), there's no way on this earth I can predict how he'd react to a child he didn't know - esp an overexcited one.

My dog doesn't jump and tbh actively avoids anyone under 5ft...

By the way all you dog owners - have you seen my testicle thread???

NOELallie · 04/01/2007 12:44

I don't like dog shit, I don't want a dog, I think they are a bit of a pita in towns generally, and I think that some dog owners need education about their responsibilities and the needs of their animals, and some (very few) animals are dangerous.

However.... I don't understand all this rabid hatred of the beasts. It's wierd in otherwise seemingly rational people.

paulaplumpbottom · 04/01/2007 12:50

These are not dog prblems they are owner problems

handlemecarefully · 04/01/2007 14:28

Here here NOELallie

handlemecarefully · 04/01/2007 14:28

Or rather hear hear

Judy1234 · 04/01/2007 14:31

But I'm right aren't I? Dog makes a mess. Owner scoops up some of the mess into plastic bag. You're still left with the basic health risk. Small toddler falls over on to its hands into where the mess was, picksup as many germs as if the whole mess had still been there, sucks fingers.... etc So although taking your mess home does remove the sight of it it does not remove the health risk of it. Also are the dog owners happy if I went into the road and dirtied it and then scooped it up?

Caligula · 04/01/2007 14:36

Hmm. Take your point Xenia, but what can be practically done about it?

Are you suggesting that dogs should wear nappies?

(I did once know an incontinent dog who did.)

handlemecarefully · 04/01/2007 14:41

Yes and what about cats leaving cat shit everywhere Xenia - if we are to be even handed (they don't always bury it)

Original poster
oliveoil · 04/01/2007 14:45

well dd2 has been known to smear bird shit round with her thumb so maybe I should ban birds as well, if we are being all dramatic and anti germs

I don't mind shit smears (LOL!) but why you would want to own an animal that you have to carry a plastic bag and scoop up their crap...well

OP posts:
NOELallie · 04/01/2007 14:46

The main risk of dog shit is from the toxoplasmosis I beleive...causes blindness? Correct me if I'm wrong someone. And that only comes from old shit - if it's picked up 'fresh' there isn't the time for the little beasties to hatch.

And as for general germs....where do you draw the line. How about bird shit, last night's chicken curry that got dropped, drunken vomit, spat our chewing gum ...the list goes on. Unfortunately.

Drusilla · 04/01/2007 14:46

And foxes. Where do we stop? Birdshit?

NOELallie · 04/01/2007 14:47

I think the problems comes from the outside world in general .