Dogs being banned from public parks

One Saturday afternoon a few summers back while walking with Molly the Mutt, this woman was a little put out because when she asked me to put Molly on a lead because her 'kids were frightened of dogs' I said no. Molly was paying them no attention at all anyway. I also suggested that a public country park was maybe the last place to bring someone that was frightened of dogs, as there would likely be loads of them around and about, & if I'd had even the slightest of doubts about Molly, she'd have already been on a lead.

Its an interesting post MM but one i find a little disturbing.The park was opened for people to use which includes children so i dont think suggesting its not a great place for those that are afraid of dogs is very helpful.The lady in question may have been a bit over concerned i dont know but i can understand it all the same.What i think some pet owner fail to realise is that if something should happen the repercussions can be very serious for all concerned and it only takes one incident and that park will seriously concider banning pets altogether.You will no doubt know your pet very well but could you be 100% sure about the pet in any given situation ?.Because if he or she is not on a lead in theory you have no control at all over the dog and its this that i think other members of the public are concerned about especially where children are concerned.

v9

The majority of owners believe they have control over their dogs when they are off the leash but the fact is a very large proportion don't so that should be the starting point.  When in a public park the dog should be on the lead, no exceptions

The majority of owners believe they have control over their dogs when they are off the leash but the fact is a very large proportion don't so that should be the starting point.  When in a public park the dog should be on the lead, no exceptions

I can remember when i was young how dogs literally ran round in packs and nobody knew who owned them but as we know things have changed drastically since then for a number very unfortunate reasons and events.What i fail to understand are the risks that some pet owners are prepared too take just to satisfy their pet and also they dont seem to think they are doing anything that could possibly prove dangerous to others.IMO these days its just too much of a risk.

v9

I think so much depends on the dog. I've had dogs I could trust implicitly to obey commands off a lead and others I'd not trust to respond to recall when any distraction is present.

It's down to the owners to differentiate and use leads accordingly. Whether the owners can be trusted to apply common sense and act responsibly is, of course, another matter entirely.

 .....You will no doubt know your pet very well but could you be 100% sure about the pet in any given situation ?.Because if he or she is not on a lead in theory you have no control at all over the dog and its this that i think other members of the public are concerned about especially where children are concerned.

v9

Yes, if I had any doubt at all, she'd be on a lead. My grand daughter is 10 months old and Molly knows her place in the pecking order ie below that of Chloe. the worse that could happen is Chloe gets a lick on the face .... what her Mum & Dad (my son) doesn't see ... 

And this is one of  the reasons what puts me off getting another dog...before long there will be a total ban on everything to do with dogs..ban in parks..beaches.. roaming free in their own garden. And as far as dogs attack..yes they do but many children torment.. an animal will only put up with so much before it retaliates same as us humans. I would dearly love another dog so would our grandchildren like us to get another but the pleasure of ownership is slowly being taken away  

 the worse that could happen is Chloe gets a lick on the face .... 

MM, all dog owners think their dogs are trust worthy but what is your opinion of this?    

Apologies cannot get the link to work, try this -

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3889240/He-perfect-babysitter-Owners-world-s-biggest-pitbull-allow-twelve-stone-dog-snap-s-arm-like-toothpick-look-newborn-son.html

As Martin Clunes said in the Programme about Dogs ,what ever dog you have its decended from wolves,we were at Cherry Hinton a few years back and there was c/van owner with a real wolf on site and it was happy soft and stupid 

 the worse that could happen is Chloe gets a lick on the face .... 

MM, all dog owners think their dogs are trust worthy but what is your opinion of this?    

Apologies cannot get the link to work, try this -

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3889240/He-perfect-babysitter-Owners-world-s-biggest-pitbull-allow-twelve-stone-dog-snap-s-arm-like-toothpick-look-newborn-son.html

It was only a matter of time

I think we all know that's hardly a typical scenario but I'm not surprised at all that you posted it.

TW,.. the point I was trying to illustrate that many dog owners think their dog is totally safe but most people ( owners and non owners) believe there is a limit to that trust.

How many times have strange dogs have run up to myself/yourself etc and someone shouts from 50yds away 'Don't worry it won't bite!' IMO the general public should not be put in that situation.