Should there be child leash laws?

[nadine_mn]

21. I think the fact that another adult was present contributed

to the mom letting her kid come to try to pet your dog. Some parents assume that everyone else is going to watch their kids too. "Of course it's ok to let little Emily run down into a quarry to pet a strange dog, there is another adult there to supervise"

It seems like once parents are out in a public place with other adults around, they just abdicate their parental responsibility. Just let 'em loose and expect others to watch out for the kids. Taking the "It takes a village" mentality a little too far.

Your experience really resonated with me as a child free pet owner, I am amazed at how often parents will let their kids come running up to my large dogs when we are out walking. Fortunately, our dogs have been friendly. When I have told parents to come get their child away from my dog - they get pissy with me. Kids are unpredictable - they shove their hands in dogs faces, pet too hard, and can get a little grabby - all a recipe for a dog bite...and the dog would be the one to blame.

But I also see the "well other adults are present, so its ok to just let my kid roam free" mentality in other places - the gym, stores, museums, etc.

It is easy to say as a someone without kids but I can't imagine doing that myself. Not because of fear that my kid would get snatched or hurt, but because I would be so worried that my kid would do something obnoxious to upset someone else.