Unknown dogs (not on a leash) near small babies? your views =)

Several years ago I was at the park with my niece and her children. A young man took his dog off the leash and let it run. My niece asked him to control his dog and answered with profanities informing her his dog had the right to run free. As they were holding this discussion under a sign with the park rules that clearly stated dogs must be kept on a leash, my niece took out her cell phone and called the police. The officer who responded pointed out to the young man the flaw in his argument and instructed him to put the leash on the dog or leave the park. That would have been the end of it but the young man became verbally abusive and ended up not only getting a ticket but placed in handcuffs with the threat of arrest until he calmed down. I think the people who ruined your picnic should have been called to task. If the dogs were friendly they could still have injured your child severly and so quickly you might not have been able to stop them. And even if the dogs were friendly to you and their owners, many animals act very differently around children. And licking your baby? How many germs do you think he was exposed to? I hope you had strong words for those people.

I would be bothered too. That was extremly rude of those people. I am leary of loose dogs that I don't know too. It probably wouldn't have scared your son so much if they were being walked on leashes. It would scare me to, to have dogs come running up on me. Poor little guy.

I totally agree with you. You never know what a strange dog will do. I wouldn't want strange dogs around my baby either. I think that those people should have leashed thier dogs and controlled them from running wild...and annoying you while you were having your picnic. I think you and your husband should have said something to them...and asked them to please leash thier dogs.

of course it is totally wrong and it is very inconsiderate of the owners... the park is a public place and also have a leash law... so if anything happen to you or your son because of the dog, the owner can be sue to court... i'm glad that nothing happen to your son and i'm sorry to hear that your picnic is ruined because of that... have a nice day...

yes there is a big problem with that especially it being illegal for them to run lose and with all the incidents that you hear of dogs biting children that is way wrong, I would of told the owners to call there dogs now and then turned around and called the police for they could of got a big fine, whether your child got hurt that time or not isn't the question the question is it is illegal and you should be able to enjoy yourselves in a park with a bunch of dogs harrassing you...I love dogs don't get me wrong, but this was just wrong, the next time I would just call the cops and tell them you have dogs running lose off there leashes and they will come and take care ofit right away

That was just plain rude of the owners. What to them, seemed like harmless fun to you was hurting your son. I probably would have picked my son up and held him while telling the dogs to stay down in a stern voice. Loud enough for the owners to hear. If they didn't do something about it. I probably would of said "OK lets go. We cant enjoy the park when people can't control their dogs". I would have looked straight at them as I said it. I dont care what people think of me. They need to control their animals. That was just plain wrong.

that's too annoying. how come such people are so insensitive? they just neglected the fact that their dogs put your son into tears. i am not a parent yet. but if something like that happens to my child, i will probably fume into anger. what the dog owners did is pure bad. i hope they one day learn how to really take care of their dogs and handle them well so as not to cause trouble to others anymore. happy myLotting.

I thought that was a matter for the police! How could these guys unleash their dogs onto such a young child? Do they understand the mental anguish their actions had the capacity to cause to the little boy? I wonder whether this matter is too late to be brought up with the authorities, even if only for future safeguards because, this carelessness on the part of these men adversely affected your recreation plans and it undoubtedly traumatized your son!

I think the owner of the dogs were wrong to let the dogs run unleashed. I also think they were wrong for not trying to control their dogs. Espically when they could see they scared and upset your son. That was plain rude of them. They have no business in the park with manners like that. lack of respect. I know I would of spoke up and yelled at the dogs to get away and said something to the owners of the dog. I could never of been as patient as you are.

I think you should have to told them that it was illegal and the dogs though as friendly as they were were scaring your child. Pet owners have to be responsible owners as well.

I think that was very irresponsible on the part of the owners to not control their dogs unless they felt the dogs were mild mannered and friendly but they are animals nonetheless and unpredictable,Had ur son lashed out at them for self defence they could have hurt him..so i'll side by u...although i absolutely adore dogs

Hi Joey... hopefully I'll be online a little more now.. I've been busy the past month. Back to your discussion. As much as I love dogs, I too am a little nervous when dogs I don't know do that, and it must be even worse when you have a young child there too. Even if the dogs were being just playful, your son didn't know that. He could have lashed out, scared the dogs and got a nasty bite, or worse. It happens to people and their pet dogs, so I would have been nervous too.

i've been to a park as well that i dog came and kept jumping on me and the owner did nothing. there was a sing stating all dogs needed to be on a leash and i'm really scared of dogs and the owner didn't say sorry all people seem to say is oh my dog won't hurt you. but really you never know that. animals are so unpredictable. now when my daughter goes to play outside there is a neighbour with a rottwhiler who sits outside and never has on a leash. my daughter is 3 and i'm so scared something will happen. i'm not sure what to say to them.

It is the owners responsibility to keep the dogs in a leash on a public place even if the dogs are gentle. I know many of us have pets and dogs do need to exercise of-leash. The problem is that there aren't may places where that can be done. In my opinion parks, specially if they are of a fair size, should have an area where people could take their dogs and let them play of-leash without worry. That way, they could be on the leash and controllable in areas where other people and children are, and then be free in their special = fenced if possible - area. many accidents and scares could be avoided this way. Many children and adults are afraid of animals and they shouldn't have to be in fear in a park.

I think the owners were probably complacent because they knew the dogs weren't trying to hurt your son, but that doesn't excuse them. I just remember when I used to be around dogs a lot and it sometimes doesn't occur to the owner that not everyone likes dogs or wants their dogs to interact with them. I think you should have politely told them that they made your son very upset and it will take a long time to calm him down. I know if someone said that to me, I would think twice about letting any dogs out among people I don't know. I know I've had people tell me that they were scared of dogs when I was with one and knew to keep the dog more in control.

Responsible pet owners would control their dogs around children, whether there was a leash law or not. Those dogs should have been on leashes, and held on short tether while you decided if you wanted your son to get acquainted with them. Even an apparently friendly dog can suddenly bite. I have my sister's dogs living with me, and have had a great deal of trouble with one of them, and she was smart enough to open her pen, as well. I never know who she will approve of, and who she will attack. You had better believe, I keep a hold of her tightly when we walk.!!

I love dogs. But i do think that what had happened could be dangerous, specially when the dogs come in groups. They are still animals and you can not know if the dog is trained or sick, and when he is going to bite the baby, because he thought it is a game or just was hungry. Lol. I did not understand if all of those dogs belonged to the owners, that just did not leash them. But i know i would be very careful if i was an owner. Now, if you do know that the dog belong to the owner, and he lets him be free at the park and sees him playing with the baby, it usually means that the dog is not sick, and can not harm anyone, because he is used to be with people. In your case i do not really think there is anything to worry about. But to teach the baby that dos are enjoyable animals, and that this dog just wanted to play.

i HATE when ppl dun keep their pets under control. Its their choice to have them, not urs and if they take them out in public, then they need to have them ona leash and control them. Saying, "oh he loves kids and is just being friendly" is just an excuse for their incompetent handling of their animal. Animals should not be valued more than human children and that is where I draw the line. I really feel for u. My son can't even go play in our yard cos our neighbours dog barks at him so ferociously and jumps up on the fence on their side. My son freaks out completely and is TERRIFIED of dogs now. How r we supposed to get him a pet later one? When I speak to my neighbour, her response is, oh she's thinks she's his size and wants to play. Guess what, a rotweiler who is baring her teeth, growling a barking feriously is NOT wantign to play with my 1 year old!!!!

What a nightmare! I have to admit, even though it is against the rules, I take my dog to the beach, unleashed, but only because he is 5 years old and I know he is 100% reliable on recall and not in the least aggressive. He isn't even interested in others. Neither people nor other dogs. He just hangs with us and plays fetch. The siutation you describe is very different and sounds ridiculous. How could those people have their dogs unleashed and not even call them back? I can't believe they didn't come over, get their dogs and apologize, especially since you had a small child. As I said, don't leash my dog except to get him to the beach, and as soon as we arrive he is released to chase his ball. Before you think I am a bad citizen, even though there are leash laws, it really is the done thing here unless you have dogs like the ones you describe. That would be highly frowned upon.

That was a big mistake from the owners. You should always be aware of dogs. But remember that Dogs aren't killing machines. No dogs attack without reasons. Anyway, when things like this happens, you should talk to the owners. Take your child into your arms to prevent any attacks from the Dogs. This is my view, things like this must not be allowed.