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

[oliveoil]

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.

I adore dogs as does dh and thankfully ds, dd1 and 2 are now OK with them too - my ds was scared witless for about 2yrs though after a friend's two dogs both jumped up at the same time - not her fault but I don't think that dog owners think of the scarey nature of the encounter (the same size as a horse to the children!) and only think of how 'nice' or kind the dog is - not really a help when your child is then hysterical whenever they see one! Having said that, I make a real effort to introduce the kids to as many dogs as I can (I always check with the owners first) and they have slowly come back round to loving them too. It's very difficult for both sides I think.

DH and I were talking about this yesterday. We both concluded that if a large dog bounded up and jumped up at either of the children, we would have no qualms whatsoever about depolying as much force as necessary to get rid of it. Including a good hard kick in the ribs if necessary. I do agree that it would be the owner's fault if his/her negligence led to the dog being injured by an alarmed member of the public. Just as it would be my fault if my child sustained injury because I failed to defend him against unwanted advances from a strange dog.

Children are more important than dogs.

As others have said, there is a flip side to this. Perhaps some parents could have more control of their children around other people's dogs?

I have a large dog who is very very timid. It has taken a lot of work to try to convince her that everything isn't out to get her. Last time I took her out, a little girl of about 6 totally alone came running up to us shouting something like doggy. Frightened the dog to death, who then started barking and trying to get behind me. No sign of an adult anywhere. Who has taught her to approach strange dogs and strange adults? I always taught my kids to keep away from strangers- dogs and people. I could have been an axe murderer for all she knew.

The time before that we kept encountering some bloke and his 2 kids all on bicycles. I went the long way round to avoid them, only for them to stop somewhere and appear behind us. I dashed off down the footpath to get away from them so they decided to try to ride past me, on a really narrow footpath which is barely big enough for one person to walk along. Footpaths are not for bicycles. Again dog went berserk and did jump up at them because they frightened her. And I did ask them (politely) as they got behind me not to try to squeeze past because I know the dog doesn't like bicycles. I've had to give up walking her altogether because every time I go out with her no matter how hard I try to avoid them I get some moron who crosses the road to walk alongside us- like the two women with pushchairs who saw us pull her out of the way and make her sit then detoured to walk right past us. They are probably on here moaning about dogs slobbering over their baby. Consideration works 2 ways. I don't let my dog approach people but they keep approaching her. (and I always clean up after her and she is never off lead).

Truce then eh? Hope your dog gets better soon.

Thank you. - truce.

Oh, the joys of clearing up dog-sick when you've got a massive bump to bend over...

But Tallulah, if my child is out of control around a dog, chances are s/he's not going to bite the dog or knock it over, much less kill it.

Whereas an out of control dog around my child may do one or other of those things to my child.

Out of control dogs and out of control kids are just not equivalent. An out of control kid is a PITA when you're with a dog; an out of control dog is potentially a danger.

I do agree that people should teach their kids not to approach strange dogs without checking first with the owner though and am always amazed by those kids who have been taught to run up to dogs and hug them. Bizarre behaviour imo.

The thing is, though, in Tallulah's case, she has taken on a rescue dog. That means it's behavioural issues are very likely to stem from former mistreatment. She is being responsible, keeping him on a lead, and trying her absolute best to stay away from people whilst giving him some kind of quality of life.

I stress again, rescue dogs have problems that other less caring humans have created.

If an unsupervised child runs up to a nervous dog and yells at it (whether playfully or otherwise), the dog may well show signs of aggression. Then, if the child's parents see the dog growling, barking, or trying to jump up at the child (bearing in mind it's on a lead and being controlled) they are within their rights under UK law to report the dog under the Dangerous Dogs Act. Because the word tends to be taken of the 'victim' (the burden of proof is less than with most laws), the dog could potentially be taken away and destroyed.

So you can see why Tallulah would ask that children be controlled around her dog. All dogs, in fact. In a case like that, my dog would be more important to me than a yelling six-year-old who could potentially hold it's life in her hands.

I have a dog and I hate seeing people that have their dogs not on a leash. Mainly becaue mine has been attacked by other dogs that get away from their owners. I love how the other owners always say, "oh he's territorial", I just want to say that if he get's territorial one more time I'll call the police and have it put down.

I can't ever imagine finding a dog's life more important than that of a six year old child, tbh, however much I loved the dog.

But then, I'm a frightful old specisist.

I was bitten very badly on the knee and calf two years ago by a young dalmation. I was walking past its house and it shot out of the open gate. The lady of the house called from her doorway 'he's only a baby, he wont hurt you'. I believed her, stood still and thought if I let the dog have a sniff round me he would be ok. Apparently not... dog sank its teeth straight into my knee with no warning. The stupid woman (still on doorstep, instead of catching dog) shouted at me 'dont worry, he is only being territorial'.

I managed to get me knee out of dog's mouth and as i turned to leave, it bit me again on my calf. There was blood and my track suit bottoms were torn.

The owner called round my house an hour later to beg me not to report the dog for biting.

I don't think it's a question of children's lives being worth more, but it is a shame that some children (for whatever reason)don't know how to act around or treat animals. I once saw children taunting and calling a dog, and when dog came over to them they ran away crying that dog was chasing them.

I agree with Booboo - themoon's running pal sounds a bit boorish and thug like (unnecessarily aggressive remark - nice bloke, not!). Perhaps he should get himself a pit bull

I a kind of anthropological way it's quite interesting how many people nowadays live so separately from other species so they see interaction as a threat and not to be allowed. Probably a huge exaggeration on my part but nevertheless interesting.

And no, I dont allow my dogs to jump on children!
As I said earlier I tend to go to a park which is mainly dog walkers although on certain days of the year you get your once a year park goer families going there who you really do need to keep your dogs away from.

It's nice as my dogs are able to socialise with other dogs and people as that's the general tradition or ethos whatever of most of the people who go there (apart from infrequent family goers).

"I can't ever imagine finding a dog's life more important than that of a six year old child, tbh, however much I loved the dog."

Good grief 'no', neither can I Caligula - there is no comparison. But nobody has actually suggested that have they? (or have they? - off to re-read last few posts unless I have missed something)

"I have a dog and I hate seeing people that have their dogs not on a leash. Mainly because mine has been attacked by other dogs that get away from their owners" MKG - I sympathise I truly do - must have been horrible, but surely you can't expect all dogs to be leashed on this basis? It's a bit hard on the 'obedient - come when called - none jumping up - well trained ones' isn't it?

not at all nothercules. You said that i, as an 11 year old, was to blame for 'trying to separate two dogs who were fighting' which wasn't the case - one dog, a bull terrier, came up to my dog and latched onto his throat. And my instinct was to save my dog, and as a result i got my arm bitten to the bone.\ I'm not saying people should live separately from animals, i'm saying you should realise that animals are animals and lovely as they can be they can also be unpredictable, and it is the sentimentality of dog owners which really pisses me off.

well, I agree with your post more than I agree with my own!
Sorry I didnt realise you were 11 when you tried to separate the dogs . I too bear a bite scar on my arm from trying to pull my dog out of anothers jaws when I was 11.

I do expect it.

1. Because if someone knows that they have a dog that will attack other dogs, they should take the responsibilty for other people and their own dogs protection.

1. I live in the USA and in the state and town that I live in dogs that are not on private property must be on leashes, it's the law. If a dog were to bite a person that dog will be put down.

It is hard on obedient dogs, and I know enough great dogs that don't need to be on a leash. The problem is, is that most people think their dog is wonderful and could never hurt anyone.

hmc - booboo did!

"In a case like that, my dog would be more important to me than a yelling six-year-old who could potentially hold its life in her hands."

I can understand people getting pissed off with kids who haven't been taught how to behave around dogs, and because of whose behaviour, the dog might have to be put down - but I still can't feel the dog would be more important to me.

Caligula: re-read the post in context. That child was in no danger, but if the dog had shown signs of aggression - even on the lead and controlled - it could potentially be put down.

As it happens, I don't happen to think that humans are more important than other animals. But that's a whole different topic. Anyone want to start a Ghost In The Machine thread?