Mum under fire for trying to ban dogs from school run as they’re ‘scaring kids’

A mum has come under fire for trying to ban dogs from accompanying their owners on the school run – she claims they’re ‘intimidating’ and ‘scaring’ the children

A mum who is ‘sick’ of having dogs jump up at her child on his way into class has launched a petition to have them banned from the school run. The woman sent out a homemade petition to parents at the school gate in an attempt to send a message to those who bring their dog with them when dropping off or picking up their children.

She claims she has to walk through “about 15 dogs ” in order to drop her son off at the gates – and they’re “intimidating” and “scaring” the children. However, another mum, who walks her eight-month-old puppy during the school run, did not hesitate to make her feelings about the petition known.

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She said: “Recently our primary school has closed its gates to cars as our new head teacher wants to encourage as many of us to walk to school as possible.

“Additionally, the new head teacher has changed the drop off and pick up rules, so that parents don’t need to wait in the playground, they can do a quick wave goodbye and kiss in the morning.

“At the end of the day, as long as the teacher sees the parent waiting, the child can walk out of school.

“A lot of people have dogs. These factors combined mean that many more dogs are being walked to school as dog owning parents realise that if they walk the 20 mins to school and back twice a day, that it a fair chunk of their dog walking is done; quite handy.

“They are not allowed in the playground, but the parents don’t need to go in there anyway. So there are lots of dog owning parents waiting on the footpath behind the metal fence outside of school.”

While she understands how small children could feel intimidated by the larger dogs, she believes this isn’t enough of a reason to have them banned from the school run altogether.

She added: “Some parents have complained that there are too many dogs at the school gate area and it is frightening for their children who are scared of dogs. These are not aggressive dogs, but many are puppies so are bouncy and they all want to play with each other.

“Am I being unreasonable to think that as long as the dogs are not in the school grounds, are not acting aggressively, are on a lead/under control, there is nothing that these parents can do, no matter what the petition?

“One mother asked me via Facebook to not walk my dog to and from school and I said no because I’m doing nothing wrong. I likened it to not wanting a strangers car parked outside your house but you can do nothing about it if they have paid their road tax.”

While most users agreed that dogs should be allowed to wait outside the school gates with their owners, others spoke about how their school banned dogs after an incident unfolded.

One user said: “Dogs have been banned from our school gates since a dog snapped at and nearly bit a child and the school’s stance is ‘better not to take the risk in the first place’ which I totally get.

“I wouldn’t take my 14-month-old puppy on the school run and I walk him separately, I know he wouldn’t bite or hurt anyone but it’s just not worth the risk.”

Another user added: “It must be a nightmare for parents with children with such a massive fear of dogs, but dog owners and their dogs have a right to be on the footpath as much as anyone else.

“You don’t need a “massive fear of dogs” not to enjoy walking past fifteen of them every time you go to school. It’s not about fear.

“Not everyone loves dogs and not everyone loves your dog. You may have a right to use a footpath but that footpath is outside a primary school at school pick up and drop off and a bit of consideration and common sense is needed.”

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