Dog poo in parks.

[leviathan 1]

How come dog owners can teach their dogs to sit , roll over , jump through hoops even juggle pints of John Smiths bitter yet can't even teach them to poo in their own backyards ? They seem to prefer to take them over the local park where my two young sons can pick it up on their shoes while they playfully run around.

[smudge]

A very sore point with me too leviathan!

The main reason for me, is that way back in 1967, our neighbour's young son lost his eye due to Toxocara - he was just 5 years old!

His parents owned a dog & used to let it poo in their back garden, but regularly cleaned it up. What they didn't realise, is that even though they thought the grass was then 'clean' enough for their little boy to play football on - it patently wasn't!

When the Consultant explained to them how Toxocara is contracted & that they had to remove little D's eye - they had their dog put down immediately & said they would never own another one.

It is something I shall never forget & it broke our hearts to watch this beautiful little boy & his family go through such a traumatic time.

[smudge]

Looks like we're on our own then leviathan1!

[Snappy]

They got the dog put down coz it pooed where they wanted it?! WTF?!

[summersoon]

why didnt they just find another home for the dog?

[leviathan 1]

Thanks for your support Smudge! I can't believe the silence from dog owners on this subject.

[smudge]

Your'e welcome & yes it is amazing leviathan!

Also, in respect of any sarcastic answers regarding our neighbours decision to have their dog put down - they could not bare to see another child go through what their beloved little boy had gone through - losing an eye & having to have a glass one fitted at 5 years old - get it?!!!!

[summersoon]

I can see you feel very strong about the subject and indeed you are right to be.

However, I wouldn't say we asked sarcastic questions.
As a responsible and proud dog owner, i was (and i believe Snappy was too) simply thinking about welfare of the dog.

Perhaps they could have found a new home such as people who don't have children? Instead of ending the poor and innocent dogs life. (Afterall, its not as though he did it on purpose, is it?)

[kita1]

If the people wormed their dog then it was unlikely to be their own dog that infected the child.

Sadly the child could have picked this up from a local park, field or verge side. Basically anywhere that dogs that are not wormed frequent.

Times were very different in 1967 and many people did not worm their dogs, and there were alot more strays roaming around then.

Thankfully people nowadays are a bit more responsible and there are nowhere near as many stray dogs around. Also there are heavy fines for dog fouling and not picking up after your dog - it just needs to be enforced more. People are also more aware of the health risks and worm their dogs.

When I got my first dog (nearly 20 years ago), my vet used to give me a worming tablet free on every visit. Now they just sell them to me!

[smudge]

From Snappy: "They got the dog put down coz it pooed where they wanted it?!WTF?! (obviously meaning "What the Fcuk?").

Not only sarcastic - but no mention whatsoever of the little boy who lost his eye due to Toxocara - very strange reaction!

From Summersoon: "Why didn't they just find another home for the dog?"

Whilst I understand this reply - again there was no mention whatsoever of the little boy who lost his eye!

P.S. I do hope you never find yourselves in a similar situation, because until you do, you will never understand what our neighbour's went through.

[smudge]

kita1 - At the time this terrible incident happened, we asked our neighbours why they wanted to have the dog put down, rather than re-home it.

Their reply was that although they loved their dog, they were very upset & extremely concerned for their other little boy aged two, or indeed any other children who may have come into contact with it.

My Mum & Dad had two lovely dogs who were regularly wormed & cared for - but this isn't about them -it is about our neighbours & I am simply explaining how it was for them at the time.

[ganesh]

This terrible tragedy and others could have been avoided if all dogs (and cats) were wormed properley and the child's parents couldn't keep the dog as it would be a constant reminder of the awful thing that had happened. But I agree with summersoons comment that it wasn't the dogs fault and that it didn't have to be put down.
I am a responsible dog owner and have children. I always pick up the poo wherever , and regularly worm my dog. I agree that parks where kids play aren't the best places to walk your dog and I agree that there are many bad owners ,but your 'question' groups us all together.
I could be just as judgemental about kids and say they all hang out in gangs, are all vandals, and that they should just play in their own back yards?
There,no longer silent!

[summersoon]

I do apologise Smudge, looking back at my post i havn't mentioned the boy. But that was simply because i still had a question to ask. I simply wanted to know why a new home wasnt found for the dog, and since you refused to answer it the first time i asked, I asked again. You still didnt answer, but magically answered my question to Kita1.

I'm sure the boy and his parents went through a terrible time and my heart goes out to them. I'm sorry if you misunderstood that.

A valuable lesson to all dog owners... worm them.

[smudge]

That's okay summersoon - I probably didn't reply to your post straight away because I've been in & out of bed with bronchitis & all that goes with it - feeling like death on legs at the moment!

I agree, not all dog owners are irresponsible & all dogs (& cats) should be wormed.

Back to more medicine, hot lemon, honey & rest......

[kita1]

This question and answers may be of interest:

http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Animals-and-Nat ure/Question343478.html

Not trying to start an argument or anything!!!

[kaylamay]

The child losing the eye is very tragic and must have been just awful for all concerned. What i cant see is, what did the dog do wrong? why did it have to be murdered? I had pets while growing up and still do now and have had no problems. The dog was only doing what comes naturally. It was not the dogs fault, probably wasn't anyones fault. It has to poop somewhere right? What did putting the dog down accomplish besides revenge? The whole situation is very sad. People should pick up their dogs waste when out on walks and in the yard. Children should ALWAYS be made to wash their hands after playing out side or using any kind of toy or ball that touches the ground or grass. VERY SAD STORY!!!!
Mikala