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 sound like an arse if I am honest op. I am a dog owner and I own cats too. Though I dont walk mine on a lead one comes with me to walk my dog. He hides in undergrowth when he sees another dog. If your dog would not recall to you if he saw a cat he shouldn't be offlead. Why the hell does your pet trump people who have cats or rabbits?

Can you get some pictures please?

Honestly I agree, it's a worry OP. Recently I've also seen both cats and rabbits being walked on harnesses in the off leash side of the dog park. It's such an incredibly risky decision for the owners, I really think they haven't thought it through properly. It must be very stressful for the animals. They could easily go to the non dog park or the on leash areas and be safe.

@LST

You sound like an arse if I am honest op. I am a dog owner and I own cats too. Though I dont walk mine on a lead one comes with me to walk my dog. He hides in undergrowth when he sees another dog. If your dog would not recall to you if he saw a cat he shouldn't be offlead. Why the hell does your pet trump people who have cats or rabbits?

You didn't bother to read the thread then? Just jumped in with the personal attack. Nice

Whilst I agree that cats really shouldn't be walked near dogs and some cats may be stressed by it, I am chuckling at the "cats are flight animals", only because I saw a cat massively antagonising and bushing up at a dog yesterday. Proper going for it

caringcarer
To be fair, it depends on the park.
Some near me are lead only parks and others (usually the ones with big open field spaces) allow off lead dogs other than in specific areas, such as near the children's play areas.

I don't tend to take mine to the on lead parks as it doesn't offer them anything that a normal pavement walk on a lead offers, and I find the sheer number of poorly trained dogs at the end of retractable leads a source of irritation.

Still, however much I think it's silly to put a rabbit in a position where they haven't got their flight ability to run by walking them on a lead round a park, if their owners chose to then thats up to them.

I also think it’s stupid that people walk cats and rabbits in these areas-it’s likely very stressful for the animal. I can see why you’d consider walking a cat in some cases-free roaming cats are at risk of being run over, stolen, attacked by dogs, getting into fights and pooing on people’s property/killing wildlife and I can see why people would want to avoid this but still let their cat explore. However I think a busy park isn’t the place to do that.
Personally I wouldn’t approach a stranger walking their pet and tell them my opinion on how they should look after it as I think this is poor manners and also I don’t think I’d change their opinion anyway I would just upset/anger them. Whether it’s right or wrong, any adult can purchase a pet and decide what to do with it and people decide to do their own risk assessment and walk cats and rabbits in parks sometimes. If you think they are breaking animal welfare laws, you can report it but otherwise live and let live I say.
I also think people should obey the law that states that dogs should be under control in all public places at all times-this means on a lead unless they can be recalled from other animals including prey species. I don’t think it’s acceptable to let a dog off lead that might attack a cat or rabbit-these dogs are a danger to small dogs and wildlife. I don’t think dogs should be allowed to kill or chase birds, squirrels or wild rabbits etc. That woman who let her dog attack a seal was slaughtered on here for having an out of control dog-and I think anyone who has a dog they think might attack a cat off a lead in a park is just as guilty as her. I have seen free roaming cats in my local park once or twice so there is always a possibility that a cat can be killed by an off lead dog-and I think the cats owner being there probably makes the cat safer than if it was there on its own. So even though the cat/rabbit owner is being stupid by walking in a busy park-they are entitled to do this and dog owners will still be the ones in the wrong if their dog attacks. To suggest otherwise is victim blaming.

I read the op. And in the op she was coming across arsey

@missymoomoomoomoomoo

Whilst I agree that cats really shouldn't be walked near dogs and some cats may be stressed by it, I am chuckling at the "cats are flight animals", only because I saw a cat massively antagonising and bushing up at a dog yesterday. Proper going for it

Yeah my ginger tom takes shit from nothing. My other 2 will run but he won't. That being said he doesn't go out looking for trouble. If he sees another dog on a walk with us he hides until its gone then carries on with us.

@LST

I read the op. And in the op she was coming across arsey

So you're judging someone for having an emotional reaction to people putting their cats and rabbits in stressful and dangerous situations? Nice

You definitely get some tough streetwise cats but I don't suppose the types being walked on a lead round parks are one of them. They'd be perfectly fine out terrorising the neighbourhood on their own.

Hi! I'm a cat-on-a-lead person!

My cat has FIV and cannot go out and about where he can come in to unsupervised contact with other cats. I do, however, think it's in his best interests to have access to outdoors in a natural environment for mental stimulation (less so for exercise - I can't run as fast as him!).

I don't take him to the main park and I know the local dog walkers quite well. There's only one guy who has a "Fuck you and your cat" attitude. I always pick him up if he hasn't already jumped on to something that puts him higher than the dog. I have to be careful because he's a big bastard and can do some serious damage to a dog.

I think dog owners need to be more accepting that this is the way things are going and work with the cat owners rather than against them.

I personally don’t think dogs should be off lead in a public place so you’re both being unreasonable.

I mean, I don’t get the walking cats and rabbits on a lead thing, but if your dog is a bolter when it sees cats or other animals it’s not safe to have it off lead, for anyone. If there was a will animal or roaming cat in the distance you would have no chance recalling, if there are roads nearby it could easily bolt over the road and get killed (and cause an accident) and then what if it got hold of that animal? We never let ours off lead as he will chase, it’s not rocket science and it’s so frustrating that other dog owners think this is acceptable.

Wild* not will

Maybe take 1/4 of the area devoted to dogs being off leash and make it designated for other animals/people who don’t want to risk potential poor off-leash dog behaviour?

@WiganNorthWest

I also think it’s stupid that people walk cats and rabbits in these areas-it’s likely very stressful for the animal. I can see why you’d consider walking a cat in some cases-free roaming cats are at risk of being run over, stolen, attacked by dogs, getting into fights and pooing on people’s property/killing wildlife and I can see why people would want to avoid this but still let their cat explore. However I think a busy park isn’t the place to do that. Personally I wouldn’t approach a stranger walking their pet and tell them my opinion on how they should look after it as I think this is poor manners and also I don’t think I’d change their opinion anyway I would just upset/anger them. Whether it’s right or wrong, any adult can purchase a pet and decide what to do with it and people decide to do their own risk assessment and walk cats and rabbits in parks sometimes. If you think they are breaking animal welfare laws, you can report it but otherwise live and let live I say. I also think people should obey the law that states that dogs should be under control in all public places at all times-this means on a lead unless they can be recalled from other animals including prey species. I don’t think it’s acceptable to let a dog off lead that might attack a cat or rabbit-these dogs are a danger to small dogs and wildlife. I don’t think dogs should be allowed to kill or chase birds, squirrels or wild rabbits etc. That woman who let her dog attack a seal was slaughtered on here for having an out of control dog-and I think anyone who has a dog they think might attack a cat off a lead in a park is just as guilty as her. I have seen free roaming cats in my local park once or twice so there is always a possibility that a cat can be killed by an off lead dog-and I think the cats owner being there probably makes the cat safer than if it was there on its own. So even though the cat/rabbit owner is being stupid by walking in a busy park-they are entitled to do this and dog owners will still be the ones in the wrong if their dog attacks. To suggest otherwise is victim blaming.

Agree I just think it's sad that people defend their right to treat their pets however they want within the fairly loose limitations of the law.

It would be much nicer if people were just decent and treated their animals like animals with species-specific needs and not fashion accessories or mini-humans.

[quote Veterinari]@Expectingsomethingwonderful do you not think it's pretty entitled if the owners of cats and rabbits to ignore their natural behaviours and stress reactions and force them into stressful situations where they are at risk even if all dogs were on leads? [/quote]
I have cats and rabbits that are well socialised with my dog so no problem providing they aren't harrassed by dogs that don't respect their space.

I think dog owners need to be more accepting that this is the way things are going and work with the cat owners rather than against them.

With respect, how do you want them to do that? And I ask this as the owner of a dog and three cats. Because dogs on leads are still going to react to cats - bark at them, lunge at them and try and chase them - because it's in their nature to do so. They're predatory animals and cats, to them, are prey.

By taking your cat out on a lead, you're choosing to put them in a potentially incredibly stressful and dangerous situation. I appreciate you wanting to let your cat outside safely, but walking them on a lead isn't the only way to do that. If an off-lead dog (like a greyhound) spots your cat and bolts for them, your cat won't really stand a chance.

Have you considered building a catio or cat-proofing your garden, for example?

I have cats and rabbits that are well socialised with my dog so no problem providing they aren't harrassed by dogs that don't respect their space.

My dog also lives with three cats with no problems whatsoever, but them getting on indoors/at home is not the same as them encountering strange cats out in public.

Mine snuggles our cats, shares his food with them and shares with water bowls and beds, but if he sees a cat outside, he just wants to chase. It's his instinct.

@Veterinari I agree and few things make me sadder or angrier than people who mistreat their pets, especially when it’s excused by the fact that they “love their furbabies”. All the love in the world doesn’t make up for a lack of research into how to properly meet an animals needs (which is very easily done when we have google and great resources like the Rspca/blue cross websites which are literally the first thing that come up when you google “buying a puppy/kitten”).
I definitely think these people are idiots and judge the hell out of them, and if I thought that approaching them and trying to educate them would make any difference I would do it, but I’m fairly sure it would go in one ear and out the other and just make them pissed off at me. So all I can do is make sure my own animal is safe and under control/won’t harm others.
I wish there was a way to improve animal welfare among pets as I think many are unknowingly neglected (obese, in pain, stressed) but I’m not sure what would work-just more education I guess. It’s sad.

You can't fix stupid. Cats are "wild" animals; ideally they can go in and out as they please, and most cats would avoid hanging out in a park that's full of dogs. Some cat owners don't understand a cat's needs at all and believe they can just train them to behave like dogs, i.e. walk them on a lead, make them sleep in a crate, take them with on holiday, etc.

I have cats and rabbits that are well socialised with my dog so no problem providing they aren't harrassed by dogs that don't respect their space.

Are your cats and rabbits habituated you being in strange places full of unfamiliar sounds and smell with their escape behaviours restricted whilst surrounded by unfamiliar predators?

Do you genuinely think they actively enjoy that experience and aren't ever stressed by it and would never try and run away?

@SpiceRat

I mean, I don’t get the walking cats and rabbits on a lead thing, but if your dog is a bolter when it sees cats or other animals it’s not safe to have it off lead, for anyone. If there was a will animal or roaming cat in the distance you would have no chance recalling, if there are roads nearby it could easily bolt over the road and get killed (and cause an accident) and then what if it got hold of that animal? We never let ours off lead as he will chase, it’s not rocket science and it’s so frustrating that other dog owners think this is acceptable.

Except...

That’s where I’ve met a cat being walked
www.visitscotland.com/info/see-do/almondell-calderwood-country-park-p252481

That’s where my friend met a rabbit being walked www.visitscotland.com/info/see-do/beecraigs-country-park-p252471

If you’re there with a dog, you’re thinking, can I recall it from children, bikes, horses, picnics and other dogs? Yep... cool, off lead it is as I’m away for a wander in the woods for a few hours.

Cats and rabbits on leads aren’t really something you expect. It’s not like you’re in a park in a residential area where cats might be close by or in open grassland where you’d expect wild rabbits. (I’ve also never owned a dog fast enough to get near a wild rabbit)

And the problem is you don’t realise it’s not a dog until you’re too close really - not to close to recall, I’ve done that already because I thought it was a dog, but too close to give it the wide berth you would have if you’d realised it wasn’t a dog sooner.

So the poor cat and rabbit are just continually being passed by way too excited dogs... and that’s assuming everyone passing did manage to recall their dog in time.

If it was just a park along the road in a fairly residential area then yeah... you would at least be watching for cats who live nearby anyway.

Tried taking my cat out on a lead once. She lay down and refused to get up off the floor. Never tried it again.