OPINION: It’s not okay to take your dogs off the leash at the playground

"I like animals more than people, so hear me out," says mum Shona, who recently had a scary experience.

3 min read

May 26, 2023 - 1:27PM

Parenting

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Before I am accused of being a dog hater, I’d like to state for the record that I most definitely am not. In fact, I would describe myself as an animal advocate, a staunch supporter of animals great and small, an adopter of once shelter, now happily home animals (inclusive of a variety of species) and generally, I like animals more than people.

And it is to the last point- people- that my current frustration lies – in irresponsible dog owners allowing their dogs off the leash at children’s playgrounds.

Yes, irresponsible, regardless of your dog’s breed, size, temperament or whom it lives with (kids or not) and for many areas around Australia (including all of Victoria), also not allowed.

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As per the City of Melbourne website, “Dogs must be kept under control by means of a chain, cord or leash, which is no more than three metres in length…Playgrounds and barbecue areas: Dogs must be on a leash if they are within 20 metres of a children's playground or a permanent barbecue and picnic area.”

This requirement includes the council area where I live in regional Victoria. This regulation is stated on the paperwork when registering your dog, on the council website, as well as generally, including signage around the city. Dogs must be on a leash, unless in designated off-the-lead areas such as dog parks.

But that doesn't always happen.

Shona is unapologetic about her stance. Source: Instagram

"Special or friendly doesn't matter"

It is just irresponsible owners who choose to ignore these rules or think they are above them, or that somehow the rules don’t apply to them because they or their dog are ‘different’, ‘special’ or ‘friendly’.

But sorry to say, different, special or friendly doesn’t matter. Because when you ignore or blatantly don’t care about following these rules (that are put in place for good reasons) well it impacts other people, lots of other people in fact, including children (and dogs too).

This was the case for my family recently when I was at a local playground with my two daughters, one of whom, due to an incident a year or so ago, is afraid of dogs.

So, when a large (breed unknown and irrelevant) dog came bounding into the playground, its owner a good 20 metres behind it, no lead in sight, proceeded to jump up on my daughter, to say she was upset, well that would be an understatement.

As I tried to calm her, while the dog proceeded to jump around and on me too, the owner, blasé about the entire event, casually strolled over, called her dog and said to me as if all of this was perfectly fine, “he’s just excited.”

Well so were my kids about having a play on the playground, until your selfish decision ruined it.

While my daughter is fine now, the issue is larger than what happened to her. Because I know that my daughter isn’t the only child (or adult for that matter) afraid of dogs.

I also know that even when a child is confident around them when they come to a playground, they are there to be kids, to play, have fun, and explore and they shouldn’t have to worry about being jumped on by an unleashed, dog, especially one unfamiliar to them.

"A playground is not a dog park"

Kids come in all shapes and sizes, some have special needs, some have fears, some are quite “excited” themselves, some aren’t experienced with animals, or dogs specifically, and some are oblivious to anything around them.

This means when a dog approaches, some kids may not have any idea about how to behave safely around one. And you know what? They shouldn't have to. Not here. Not at a child’s playground where they are meant to feel safe and play. Because, while yes this sounds really obvious, a playground is not a dog park.

Dogs also come in all shapes and sizes with different personalities and temperaments and while your dog might have been an angel for all of its life, all it takes is one inexperienced, “excited” child to clumsily pat your dog on the wrong spot, or even for another off the leash dog to approach it for it to become not so angelic because dogs can be unpredictable and they can react and a child’s playground is not the place for this to play out, or even for taking that risk.

As the City of Melbourne says (even about off-leash areas): Off-leash areas are still public areas; they are open for all to enjoy, not just dog owners.

Not all people like dogs and some people can be intimidated by even small dogs running up to them. Never let your dog jump up on people.”In other words, don’t be selfish, consider others and be a responsible dog owner – your dog and people will thank you for it!

This story was published in January 2023 and updated in May 2023.