Dog Park Rant! Food+Baby=Disaster!

Sera_J

 Well that maybe true, but they failed to read the sign that said "no food".  And if you see 10+ dogs running around in an area wouldn't you come to expect unsanitary conditions?

I agree, plus I feel like its common sense. Dogs running around unleashed + Infant + Food on ground + then to top it off dirty diaper = disaster!  Not only was it unsafe and unsanitary for those people and their baby, but it was a pain in the butt for the people with their dogs there I'm sure to try to keep the dogs away...Common sense people, common sense!!

I remember awhile back  there was a guy in our dog park just lying there in the grass taking a nap - totally oblivious to dogs circling him and jumping over him ... and perhaps even peeing on him.

Joyce

so you guys think just because it's labeled "dog park" that you don't have to be able to, and willing to, control your dog once inside?

 so you think that just because all owners should be able to, and willing to, control their dogs once inside that it's okay for people to violate posted rules and contribute to situations that are at best disruptive and at worst dangerous? I think this thread and the OP's complaints are legit, no need for us to get snarky about it.

Cita

 so you think that just because all owners should be able to, and willing to, control their dogs once inside that it's okay for people to violate posted rules and contribute to situations that are at best disruptive and at worst dangerous? I think this thread and the OP's complaints are legit, no need for us to get snarky about it.

I don't think I could've said this any better.... 

Huh? 

With all due respect Mudpuppy, that sounds off topic to me.  The issue is people bringing in a picnic meal and a baby and changing the baby's diaper on the blanketed ground in a well marked dog park. 

OK, maybe those folks were helping out with really good distraction practice for dog owners. 

idoits! The fact they they set up a PICNIC! and attempted to change the BABY?! Bringing a baby in when there are few dogs there I really don't see a problem with (notice I said FEW dogs) but when it's pact?! idoits!

fuzzy_dogs_mom

I remember awhile back  there was a guy in our dog park just lying there in the grass taking a nap - totally oblivious to dogs circling him and jumping over him ... and perhaps even peeing on him.

Joyce

CoBuHe

OK, maybe those folks were helping out with really good distraction practice for dog owners. 

LOL! That's looking at the bright side!

Yes, people should control their dogs. In a perfect world. But that's not where I live. I don't like food in a dog park. Or even children, for that matter, simply because not everyone DOES have control of their dogs. As much as we would like them to, it's not realistic. Many people bring their dogs to the dog park to exercise them. Big dogs. And maybe these dogs have never seen a child before much less know how to act around them. Or leave what comes out of them alone.

The signs are there for a reason. And people make mistakes. But if I was having a picnic in a dog park and changing my baby and someone came up to me and mentioned the rules, I would be the one embarrassed.  

They really weren't embarrassed...they seemed more mad and huffy-puffy when they left.

I agree, dogs should be under control at the dog park...but this wasn't a normal circumstance at the park. There is a reason why food isn't allowed, it can really start some squabbles between dogs. Babies can easily get hurt. And, lets not forget the health factor...dogs pee & poop there, nobody should be picnicing there.

Dog park or not, would any responsible parent risk having their small child in any place where a number of unleashed dogs were running around? Surely the potential for harm should be obvious to any parent. Whether there are signs posted or even if it weren't a legit 'dog park', you would think any parent with half a brain would realize that their child could get hurt and find a safer place to enjoy their picnic!

denise m

Dog park or not, would any responsible parent risk having their small child in any place where a number of unleashed dogs were running around?

Regardless of the different opinions posted about this topic the above comment is the most important factor. Regardless of one's ability to control the dog or whats right or wrong or who's space it is and the rules I agree with Denise.

mudpuppy

so you guys think just because it's labeled "dog park" that you don't have to be able to, and willing to, control your dog once inside?

I think it would depend on whether this was a park where dogs are allowed, or a dog park. If it was the former, I'd agree to an extent.  If it's the latter, isn't food normally not allowed inside the fenced "dog" area at dog parks?

scrubsfiend

why hasn't survival of the fittest taken care of people like this? 

Natural selection for humans may not be working as well as we think it should, but it is working.  Just go to www.DarwinAwards.com.  It is a site "Honoring those who improve the species...by accidentally removing themselves from it!"

If you think that those folks showed a lack of common sense, you will love the stories at this site.

 Personally, I wouldn't even lay MY baby down, in MY yard on a blanket, surround it with food, with MY OWN dogs running around.  Thats just not a chance you take with a baby no matter how well you think your dogs are trained.  So, why would you take that chance with other peoples dogs?