Arlington may ban young children from dog parks

[The Straight Story]

Arlington may ban young children from dog parks

Arlington County is considering banning young children from dog parks, according to the Examiner.

Kids under the age of eight would not be allowed in any of the county’s eight dog parks, while children between eight and 14 would have to be supervised by an adult. Officials told the paper the rule change was needed to protect children, although there have been no reports of kids being hurt in dog parks.


"We don't want to wait until a child is seriously injured to do this," a sponsor of the Shirlington Dog Park told the Examiner.

Some parents said the proposal was overly restrictive and unnecessary. Similar restrictions already exist in Alexandria and Fairfax County. There is no deadline for when the Parks Department will rule on the change.


http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post_now/post/arlington-may-ban-small-children-from-dog-parks/2011/05/23/AFlT1f9G_blog.html

[MountainLaurel]

1. I can understand the need

You've got to account for the lowest common denominator -- folks who don't grasp that a fenced area where large animals are running around playing may not be the best place to teach your toddler to walk.

[alphafemale]

2. They have to make a law because so many parents don't have common sense.

Not even considering the risk of a small child being bitten because they don't know how to react to strange dogs but also a toddler being bowled over and hurt accidentally by a couple dogs who were just charging around having a grand time.

I don't know if the age needs to be as high as 8, but I think preschool and younger shouldn't be in there.

[elehhhhna]

14. dingdingding, you win!

[xchrom]

3. Any large dog owner knows they are in danger of being knee capped

When they go to the dog park.

Dogs playing - full tilt - and there you go ass over heels.

Little kids can't really deal with that - yet people bring them.

[The Straight Story]

4. They just need to put the kids on a leash

:rofl:

[Anakin Skywalker]

5. About damn time! After all, dogs are banned from many human places.

Is it fair to execute dogs that merely were defending themselves from harassment (in their little doggie minds)? This will prevent tragedies for both sides.

[mrs_p]

9. a dog bit my husband at the dog park yesterday

and its owner didn't even give a shit. i don't care if that dog thought it was defending itself (which makes no sense as it ran up to my hubby and my dog and started being aggressive) - biting people is NOT acceptable! i won't let my dogs do it and neither should any good dog parent. i don't want that dog executed, but the dog only learned it is alright to run up to people and bite.

[XemaSab]

6. I saw a family with four kids at the dog park here

and one of the kids (who looked about 7) was walking around on stilts!

Seriously, if you want to go to the family fun park, there are plenty in Redding. Walking around on stilts at the dog park is just craziness.

[alphafemale]

15. Stilts!?

:wow:

That's a massive brain injury waiting to happen.

[mrs_p]

7. i think it goes a little too far

in our city dogs can't be off leash except at the dog park. i have a border collie who has to be worked every day and when my husband is out of town that leaves only me to do it. i will just have to put the baby in a carrier. of course, my border collie would tear apart any dog (or person) that even looked at me aggressively.

edit to add - but, unless i really thought someone was going to hurt me, i would call her back - i don't think she should ever think biting a person is OK...

[StarburstClock]

8. Typical over-controlling beaucrats reigning over their petty fiefdoms

God forbid children are around animals, don't you know their children are superior little gods? In reality it's better for the dogs not to be around the bratty kids of pompous, self-impressed, petty title holders which I can tell you from personal experience that Arlington and Fairfax counties are full of.

[xchrom]

11. way to miss the point. nt

[RamboLiberal]

10. What the hell ever happened to "At your own risk"?

And to watching your kids and being responsible they behave and play well? 2 and 4 legged!

There are some 2 legged & 4 legged kids who don't know how to play and behave at the dog park!

No way in hell should the local govt be responsible if you choose to take your kid in & they get hurt.

Now if a dog attacks them go after the dog owner not the local govt.

[Kceres]

12. It's about time.

Although I adore children, I worry to death when I take my dog to a dog park and children show up. I see infants, toddlers, and small children almost every day. I've started to gently confront the parents about bringing their children to such a place. They say they want their kids to grow up loving dogs and that is admirable, of course, but entirely the wrong way to go about it. A large dog can be intimating and scary to a small child. And although small dogs are not likely to cause much damage if they bite, they bite much more often than larger dogs and can cause dog phobias early on. Plus, dogs that love children in ordinary circumstances can change around other dogs. There is a pack mentality that you see. One bite and shake from a rottie, Lab, or pit to an 18-month-old... God. And it can happen in a blink of the eye.

Twice in two years I've been knocked over by playing dogs; they love to run and play right under your feet. I get up, dust off, and laugh, but it would be no laughing matter if it happened to a toddler: 150 lbs. jumping on a 30 lb. child's spleen? Parents also say they'll keep a close eye on their children and yet inevitably the parents begin to talk to other dog owners and become distracted. One toddler I saw started picking up handfuls of pebbles and throwing them at a dog. The parent stood there and watched while still conversing with another owner. Another parent put her toddler down in front of her and said, "Go chase the doggies." Really!

Sorry to go on like this but it really is a necessary law because a lot of parents are just stupid. My two cents.

[Bennyboy]

13. They should...

I ahve seen a dad walking through the dog park, with kids on his shoulders. That says danger all the time.

[seabeyond]

16. only on leash..

TEASING