People walking cats and rabbits on leads in parks

[AvocadosBeforeMortgages]

Utter fools. Do they not like their pets?

I've come across this at least 4 times now - people (all different!) walking cats and, in one case, a rabbit, on a lead.

In all cases, these are parks where dogs are allowed off lead and the vast majority are off lead. Including everything from ex-racing greyhounds to terriers.

I spoke to rabbit woman and pointed out the dangers. She said she'd just pick the rabbit up - while seemingly failing to account for the fact greyhounds can travel at 40mph and jump higher than she could possibly lift the rabbit.

Yesterday I saw this on-lead cat before my own dog did (a small miracle - from a distance I thought it was a puppy), and warned them my dog wasn't cat friendly. They then decided to stop sitting down in the park and instead FOLLOW US through the park.

Presumably when it goes wrong they'll be whining that the dog was out of control - but presumably they'd also be whining if they wandered out blindfolded onto a 70mph road and got run over. It's asking for trouble.

I'm not convinced cats or rabbits enjoy being walked - and surely the much safer / more pragmatic option would be to walk them somewhere where dogs aren't allowed to be off lead?

Let's pray this doesn't catch on as a trend

You warned them your dog wasn’t cat friendly - rather than putting your dog back on a lead, having it fully under control and ensuring nothing happened??

If so, you’re the type of person that gives dog owners a bad reputation!

Honestly you can’t win!

Cat owners slag people off for cats shitting in their garden which is fair enough. Then to try and circumvent that the cat owner takes the day out on a lead for some exercise!

And rabbits need lots of space too. Why do dog owners have superiority? I wanted to take my rabbits out, but they wouldn’t wear leads.

The open space is there for all animal lovers not just dog lovers. And l love dogs!

I think walking other creatures in known doggy places is very silly of the owners (eg the Commons near here)

But it's fine elsewhere, where dogs are less to be playing together off lead (eg the parks round here, especially the smaller ones)

I think it's a case of knowing your locale, and not being a dick

Which includes putting a dog back on lead as soon as you spot a hazard, even when you think the person is wrong (or just silly) to be doing whatever they are doing.

The best solution would dogs to be on a lead everywhere
I've had picnics ruined by dog running over picnics blanket and food
kids knocked over
slavered on
bitten whilst running
commute on cycle track that is full of dog on no lead or very long lead all over the place

It seems like a bit of a silly thing for them to do, but then it's a public place and people do all sorts of perfectly legal things in public places. It's unreasonable for someone to expect the world to cater to their preferences in public places.

I think it's a case of knowing your locale, and not being a dick
Which includes putting a dog back on lead as soon as you spot a hazard, even when you think the person is wrong (or just silly) to be doing whatever they are doing
I totally agree.

Which includes putting a dog back on lead as soon as you spot a hazard, even when you think the person is wrong (or just silly) to be doing whatever they are doing.

Which I did - I put my dog on a lead and walked away, having pointed out the dangers of their actions. Strangely I don't want my dog and their cat / rabbit to get hurt.

But it only takes one incident of a dog spotting the cat / rabbit before the dog's owner does for it to go terribly wrong for the cat / rabbit. It's all very well and good talking about who's in the right / wrong, except the cat / rabbit is likely to be killed.

Car drivers shouldn't run over children, but that doesn't mean it's sensible to let children play in the traffic.

Strangely I don't want my dog and their cat / rabbit to get hurt.

Typo - should read "strangely I don't want my dog to chase or their cat / rabbit to get hurt"

Why is it all about the bloody dogs as per usual? Your dog does not ‘trump’ all other pets.

I see your point OP, but if you've done what a reasonable dog owner should then it's on the cat/rabbit owners to make their own decision.

They're entitled to do silly things, even if many of us can see the potential for problems.

If your dog is not 100% safe to be off lead in all circumstances (including when it is presented with an animal it would consider prey) and does not have prefect recall then it should not be off lead at all. It is an annoyance and sometimes a danger to others, not just those who might be walking cats and rabbits. You do not have an entitlement over other people in the park because you own a dog. Stop being so selfish.

My beloved cat was killed by a dog in our garden by a dog being walked on a lead as it just pulled the walker over.

We are utterly devastated by the completely unnecessary death of a very very special cat.

So yep those cat owners are being naive, one even told us they're training their cat to jump up onto them for safety. Not sure how that would protect it from a lurcher.

The cats are generally happy to be out on leads because it's all they know but I have no idea how you can find a dog free area outside your own dog secure garden.

I agree @AvocadosBeforeMortgages
It seems to be a trend.

Firstly rabbits and cats are prey species with a strong flight instinct so being walked through a park smelling of dogs and surrounded by dogs (even on leads) is incredibly stressful for them, especially when they cannot run away. In rabbits stress can lead to gut stasis which can be fatal. In cats it can lead to a whole host of medical issues.

Secondly cats and especially rabbits have fragile spines. A rabbit can easily break its own back if it kicks/struggles. Now imagine that rabbit or cat in a lead/harness as a dog moved towards them and they instinctively dart away, only to be forcefully yanked back by their restraint. The pressure involved presents a very real risk of a significant spinal injury. And that can happen even with well controlled dogs on leads - they are still shit scary for cats/rabbits who will try and run away. It would be nice if people could perhaps actually consider the welfare of their pets rather than their next Instagram photo opportunity.

@ArseInTheCoOpWindow
And rabbits need lots of space too. Why do dog owners have superiority? I wanted to take my rabbits out, but they wouldn’t wear leads.

Because animal welfare is about meeting the animal's needs not doing what you want. Restricting a prey animal's flight ability whilst forcing it to share space with predators benefits no one, least of all the cats/rabbits.

The open space is there for all animal lovers not just dog lovers. And l love dogs!

Again you seem focussed on your feelings. Animal welfare is not about what you want. It's about what is best for the animal.

@Poorlykitten

Why is it all about the bloody dogs as per usual? Your dog does not ‘trump’ all other pets.

It isn't.

Anyone with any sense of responsibility and decency wouldn't force their cat/rabbit into a highly stressful situation where they risk injury.

@Iwouldbecomplex

If your dog is not 100% safe to be off lead in all circumstances (including when it is presented with an animal it would consider prey) and does not have prefect recall then it should not be off lead at all. It is an annoyance and sometimes a danger to others, not just those who might be walking cats and rabbits. You do not have an entitlement over other people in the park because you own a dog. Stop being so selfish.

I walked DDog across this crowded park, full of picnickers, without a hitch immediately prior. He walked past a variety of BBQs and readily available food, as well as people who tried to attract his attention, and ignored the lot. I didn't even have to say anything to him - he just made the right decisions.

Few would even attempt that. My dog is fine to be off lead.

Regardless, this isn't just about my dog - this is about dogs in general. Sighthounds in particular - who have excellent eyesight and are incredibly fast (I don't have a sighthound).

I am pragmatic - I see that this could go wrong, and think the risks outweigh the benefits for the cat and rabbit.

You are idealistic - and seem to think that because nothing should go wrong, if everyone else acts perfectly, the dangers can be ignored.

@Iwouldbecomplex

If your dog is not 100% safe to be off lead in all circumstances (including when it is presented with an animal it would consider prey) and does not have prefect recall then it should not be off lead at all. It is an annoyance and sometimes a danger to others, not just those who might be walking cats and rabbits. You do not have an entitlement over other people in the park because you own a dog. Stop being so selfish.

So you think a cat/rabbit wouldn't startle/try and dash away from an on lead dog passing them on a path? You don't think there is any risk of having credible stress and/or injury to the cat/rabbit there?

God. Not you again with your dogs are more important that anything diatribe. 🙄

@Poorlykitten

God. Not you again with your dogs are more important that anything diatribe. 🙄

Did you actually read anything I posted? Or is it the comprehension you're failing at?

I have rabbits that are given free range in the garden. I would never put them on a lead its cruel plus they can get out of them quite easily. People are batshit.

@Poorlykitten

Why is it all about the bloody dogs as per usual? Your dog does not ‘trump’ all other pets.

Why are you seeking out and posting on dog threads in the doghouse when you clearly dislike dogs. It's very odd behaviour

I don't really agree that cats and rabbits should be in the park for the reasons mentioned before about them being flight aninals with weaker spines. However, your off lead dog, doesnt trump other pets or even dogs. Far too many 'friendly' dogs approach my non-friendly dog. How can we possibly get her to be comfortable around other dogs if they keep invading her space? Controversially, I think all dogs should be kept on lead in public places. If you want them to run free, do it in your private garden Don't have a big garden? Then buy a breed according to your space.

so you admit to your dog not being under close control?

I'm sorry, but letting your dog off lead still means it needs to be under close control. it's a privileg not a right.

I find it unbelievable how rude some people are! If I was in the park, minding my own business and someone came over and chastised me for walking my pet it was absolutely ruin my day! I'm not an anxious person but that would play on my mind all day!
Mind your business and absolutely do not approach people with your unsolicited opinion! So rude!

@redcandlelight

so you admit to your dog not being under close control?

I'm sorry, but letting your dog off lead still means it needs to be under close control. it's a privileg not a right.

Which part of @AvocadosBeforeMortgages posts indicate her dog was not under control?

@ChlamydiaSexPond

I find it unbelievable how rude some people are! If I was in the park, minding my own business and someone came over and chastised me for walking my pet it was absolutely ruin my day! I'm not an anxious person but that would play on my mind all day! Mind your business and absolutely do not approach people with your unsolicited opinion! So rude!

Yep cos it's all about how you feel. Bugger the health and welfare of the poor animal you're forcing into a stressful situation

Cats aren’t a prey species.