Stop bugging the ducks, please :)

[kelma]

Actually to both of them! The dad first, and when he just turned and walked away, I said something directly to the boy.

Geeze, I can't believe you are trying to turn this around and make it look like the adults who do care enough to say something are the bad people!

Well, that was a little dramatic . First, I'm not trying to make anyone out to be the "bad people". Second, I absolutely appreciate people who stand up to things they see as wrong. I shudder to think what this world would be like without those people

But, I won't back down from statement that everyone, including kids, should be spoken to with respect. I'm not actually sure how you could disagree with that? I don't think it's ever acceptable to cuss out a child and I don't think you should speak to a child in a way that you would be embarrassed or afraid to speak to their parent.

I wasn't there in your situation and I have no idea how you spoke to either the child or the adult. I do imagine that there were plenty of folks around who worked there who would have been happy to get involved had you shared your concerns. The reason I asked was that you seemed very defensive regarding my comments to the poster who's dh cussed out 2 boys. I was just curious as to how you handled your situation that made you take my comments so personally I'm still a bit confused as it sounds like my comments didn't apply to you at all

Kelma
Mom to 2 princes and 2 princesses

 

[Miaka]

Actually to both of them! The dad first, and when he just turned and walked away, I said something directly to the boy.

Geeze, I can't believe you are trying to turn this around and make it look like the adults who do care enough to say something are the bad people!

I don't think they're trying to say that adults saying something are the bad people, what they're saying was bad behavior was the swearing and name calling at children. (at least that's what I took from it, it's the internet, you never get inflection or tone behind something, makes the written word all left to interpretation.) It's true some parents don't care what their little darlings are up to, and I just take that as a moment to look at my kids and remind them what the other children are doing is not acceptable behavior, and how proud I am that they aren't behaving that way.

 

[ols386]

I've seen children teasing and chasing ducks....and the parents standing or sitting right there watching them....and not say a word. Seems like it would be common sense for a parent to tell their child not to do this, but apparently not.

I also see many people, including adults, feeding the ducks, which I would think could potentially be harmful to the duck's health. They are not designed to eat people food.

Some people really don't appreciate nature or animals, I guess.

 

[pilesoflaundry]

I wonder what the parents who think it's OK for their kids to chase the wildlife would do if I (or any other adult) started chasing their kids. After all, I'm not going to hurt them - I just think it's fun to see them run away. Please, teach your kids to respect the animals.

Animals are not and will never be the same as a child/human. Never. Don't elevate them to the same level.

Yes they are both innocent, often abused and helpless but that doesn't mean it's the same to chase a child as it is as a duck that is not your pet.

I would be upset if you ran after my kid for a variety of reasons. 1) I do know my dd won't harm the duck, I have no idea if you will harm my child. I don't know you. 2) she could trip and get hurt. The duck is not going to trip over itself.

I love animals, all of them and teach my kids not to chase bunnies because I do know you can scare the heck out of them. It's cruel to chase bunnies I will give you that one. And my kids actually like quietly watching them. But it's not evil or mean or bullying to chase the ducks and it's totally different if you were chasing my kid.

 

[bgirl29]

Really? Why is it not evil or mean or bullying to chase an animal? I think scaring "the heck" out of animals is quite mean.


And how do you know your daughter wouldn't unintentionaly harm a duck, if she was every lucky enough to catch one?

Yeah, I get that ducks are ducks and kids are kids. But it is still not right to torment something that has no chance of understanding what is going on.

 

[zackiedawg]

Animals are not and will never be the same as a child/human. Never. Don't elevate them to the same level.

The only level the two are being equated on are that they are both creatures that deserve not to be chased or tormented for entertainment.

I would be upset if you ran after my kid for a variety of reasons. 1) I do know my dd won't harm the duck, I have no idea if you will harm my child. I don't know you.

Ah yes...but the duck doesn't know your daughter isn't going to hurt it. The duck doesn't know you or your daughter. Therefore the fear in the heart of the duck is just the same as if it were being chased by something that WILL harm it.

2) she could trip and get hurt. The duck is not going to trip over itself.

Actually, a young duckling does indeed trip, quite easily in fact. And any duck can run into objects, take flight and fly into something, run into other people trying to escape, try to defend itself and cause the child an injury which results in the duck being captured or killed.

And that's not to mention that your child can still harm a duck even if not intended. She could trip and fall ON a duck, or step on a duckling while chasing it, or reach out in an innocent attempt to pick it up and end up ripping feathers out.

I love animals, all of them and teach my kids not to chase bunnies because I do know you can scare the heck out of them. It's cruel to chase bunnies I will give you that one. And my kids actually like quietly watching them. But it's not evil or mean or bullying to chase the ducks and it's totally different if you were chasing my kid.

Why does a duck have any less place in the world than a rabbit, or any less fear or emotion? Chasing any animal is cruel to that animal, because it doesn't have the ability to understand why it is being chased, only knowing by instinct that when it is chased, it is by something that wants to harm or kill it. I've had ducks around me, living near ponds, and I've sat next to ducks that were chased by everything from kids to dogs. I promise you, the ducks are extremely upset from being chased, and do not just brush it off and go back to normal. They spend a good 10-30 minutes quacking softly and quickly, cowering with their backs to trees, and on constant alert. They are skittish, and will run away even from food being thrown to them. Their lives have been quite upset and take a long time to reset, even though the child might have meant no harm.

A duck has just as much right to not be chased as a rabbit, blue jay, raccoon, or yes, even a child. It's not saying the duck is on the same level as a child in all respects...just in that one respect.

 

[Mulan82]

wow.

i came onto DISboards to do a little more research for my upcoming March trip and just had to sneak a peek on the resorts section just to see if this was still an ongoing active topic.

i've already voiced my opinion so i won't do it again as far as feeding ducks.

i do think that calling a kid a "dumb.. butt" or whatever word was used is a bit much. he could have said, " can you stop that?" or " seriously, you need to stop that now. " if you could hear my tone of voice when i say that, i guess you would understand better. but calling a kid a dumb blah isn't something that i would do. what if the kid then said, uh ok. and then continued. would your husband grab his hand and say what the bloop did i say to you? all in all, i just think that maybe there could have been a different word choice. to each their own though.

this topic is going to go on forever. to tip or not to tip. duck/rabbit cruelty. line cutters. line savers. people that invade your line space. points of reimbursement due to a rude CM. we are all going to have our own opinion. i can't think of the right phrase but i think it goes along the lines of "beating a dead horse?" this is a horrible phrase to use, but i think its the only one i can think of to describe this thread at this point. sorry. PETA please don't hurt me!

 

[CathrynRose]

My dd loves animals and wants to be a vet and she would never harm one. But she's a duck chaser and I can't help but laugh when she does.

.

I don't generally find scaring a living creature funny, but I guess I'm sensitive like that.

When I see a child doing what your child does, and the parent laughing it makes me question that child's manners, as well as your parenting.

Unless your child is a sociopath at 2 years old, I don't think they know any better. Do you ban the circus? .

My children knew better at 2, 3, 4, 5, etc etc etc - simply because we taught them better. Never did my boys, ever chase an animal. The animal isn't playing tag with these kids, it's running because it's scared. I don't find amusement in that, nor should anyone.

And yes - we weren't fans of the circus and never went, but don't understand what that has to do with kids chasing animals around for grins and giggles.

 

[jwhtewolfd]

I believe that most here who argue that it is cruel or at the very least scary for the animals to let kids chase them around would agree with you that the kids don't know any better unless they are sociopaths.

But I believe the general crux of their argument is that the parents should be teaching their kids not to be doing this, so that the children LEARN that it is not nice to chase innocent, friendly, and harmless animals for fun. The general thought being that this is part of parenting...and I think everyone here consistently agrees that it is entirely the parents' blame when children are chasing, scaring, thowing things at, or going out of their way to disturb small defenseless animals.

I think that's why so many people keep bringing up the only example that might put proper perspective on things for those who feel there is nothing wrong with letting their kids terrorize and chase small defenseless animals - namely, would you allow someone very much larger and stronger than your children to run after them, scare them, and chase them around? Most likely not - you would most likely consider that alarming, frightening, and threatening, and would do just about anything to make it stop, as would your kids if you were to ask them how fun being chased by big scary things is. And that's the big point. Put yourself in the rabbit's or duck's position. Or the momma duck or rabbit watching its young being chased around by massive creatures. Most likely, no part of it is 'fun' or 'innocent' or 'acceptable' in any way to the animal...therefore it shouldn't be for a parent or their child either.

As for the ducks in the pool - I'd be more concerned about all the chemicals the animals are ingesting by being in the heavily chlorinated pool. There's nothing coming out of a duck that isn't also coming out of a human.

 

[Mulan82]

My children knew better at 2, 3, 4, 5, etc etc etc - simply because we taught them better. Never did my boys, ever chase an animal. The animal isn't playing tag with these kids, it's running because it's scared. I don't find amusement in that, nor should anyone.

And yes - we weren't fans of the circus and never went, but don't understand what that has to do with kids chasing animals around for grins and giggles.

Because some people believe that the circus is a form of animal cruelty. We, as people, use it as form of entertainment for grins and giggles.

And I don't find amusement in chasing animals to scare them. A child isn't chasing a rabbit around to scare the bejesus out of it. I was saying that unless your child is hurting an animal delibertly because he/she knows that there will be pain inflicted, I didn't see harm in chasing a bunnie. I've already spoken my piece and was informed that it can cause a heart attack in an animal, which I would never want to happen.

But if I see a goose and it starts to chase me, you better believe that I'm going to run for my life.

 

[luvthemouse71]

Animals are not and will never be the same as a child/human. Never. Don't elevate them to the same level.

Yes they are both innocent, often abused and helpless but that doesn't mean it's the same to chase a child as it is as a duck that is not your pet.

I would be upset if you ran after my kid for a variety of reasons. 1) I do know my dd won't harm the duck, I have no idea if you will harm my child. I don't know you. 2) she could trip and get hurt. The duck is not going to trip over itself.

I love animals, all of them and teach my kids not to chase bunnies because I do know you can scare the heck out of them. It's cruel to chase bunnies I will give you that one. And my kids actually like quietly watching them. But it's not evil or mean or bullying to chase the ducks and it's totally different if you were chasing my kid.

No, it's not..just because you think your kids are more important doesn't make it so...the wildlife has just as much reason to be there(maybe more so) than your little darlings.

And I have called the parent a dumb*** as well, because they're the reason that the kid is acting like one. Preteen/teenage kids are fair game anyway-I'm not going to worry about crushing their feelings, especially when they're acting like hooligans. A small child, no, but a punk 13 year old? Absolutely.

 

[PrincessKara22]

This didn't happen at Disney but its a funny story about kid & duck relations.

I work at an after-school program with lots of kindergartners. Now our "trouble maker" (who is really just a cute kid but is very curious and forgetful and has to just figure things out on his own) who I'll call L was obsessed with the ducks who live in the stream/river area behind the playground. (Why the town planners thought WATER was a good idea at a school I'll never know!)
The first three days they were there this spring he just would sit & watch them for the entire recess. At the end of the third day he told me he wanted to pet one.
Me: "No, L. They're wild. They don't like to be pet. Its okay to watch them but they don't like people and want to be left alone, ok?"
L: "Ok Miss Kara. But I think they don't like people because they've never met one to be friends with!"
I laughed and got him in line and brought the kids in and forgot about it.
Well every day for the next week he'd chase the ducks. First he'd watch, then he'd walk, the ducks would figure out what he was up to and scoot away and then he'd run and the one of us would grab him and say no. etc etc. after we told him no everyday he'd stop for the rest of recess but the next day he'd go right back to it.

So anyone one day I had the group ofolder kids so I couldn't see what he was getting up to.

Well don't you know that he finally caught up to one, tried to introduce himself to the duck and pet it, and BAM! Screaming kid and angry duck. The duck BIT him on his hand. So instead of running away L pulled his tail. So the duck bit him again and waved his wings and squaked and got the heck out of there!

So he's crying and we're getting him cleaned up and calling his mom to come get him and bring him for a tetnus and I said, "L. I told you repeatedly that the ducks were OFF limits! Remember? We have those rules so you won't get hurt and the ducks won't get hurt." and he goes, proud as punch, "Miss Kara you were right! ducks and people DON'T get along. I won't go near them again and now they know not to come near us! SEE! I GOT HIS FEATHER SO HE'S SCARED OF ME NOW!"

 

[Fantasmiss]

No, it's not..just because you think your kids are more important doesn't make it so...the wildlife has just as much reason to be there(maybe more so) than your little darlings.

AGREE!! And a parent/grandparent etc. letting their child be cruel to (or bother) an innocent animal is bad parenting, full stop. No excuses.

 

[k9muttlover]

Parenting 101 again, dont like kids dont go to disney

It's not about whether or not you like or dislike kids - I like kids. I do not care for parents who seem to think it's ok to NOT parent while on vacation. If you want a break from parenting, go somewhere alone.

Disney is for everyone, not just kids.

 

[Miaka]

But if I see a goose and it starts to chase me, you better believe that I'm going to run for my life.

I agree with you there, I was attacked by canadian geese when I was about four at a local lake, and I can tell you I don't knowingly cross their path! I stay away from them. but I wouldn't do anything to them, and wouldn't allow my kids to do anything either.

 

[Sammie]

Doing anything to an animal that they do not enjoy is wrong and regardless of how you want to rationalize it, it is still wrong.

If one must explain to an adult why doing something to an animal that frightens it is wrong, you can forget trying to make them understand.

If they don't get it on their own, they are certainly not going to get it from any of us trying to explain.

I saw just this last week 2 kids chasing an egret to the point the bird was frantic trying to escape them. However as stated earlier, sometimes nature takes care of its own and the bird turned and in its own defense it pecked one of the kids.

Had they left it alone it would have never ever done this, so lesson is; animals do not like to be chased.

And please do not insult well mannered children by saying "all" children do this, they don't!!

If anyone thinks this behavor is acceptable, next time to you visit the Animal Kingdom, ask an animal handler if chasing animals is appropriate behavior. Maybe your kids would enjoy chasing a tiger, at least the tiger would have a chance to make it known they did not enjoy it.

 

[Mrsjvb]

the average kid has a parent or older sibling to act as its champion. the average animal does NOT unless one of us bleeding hearts happen to be around and will stand up for them. so no I am sorry your kids..or ANY kids for that matter are NOT more important or more deserving or however you want o couch it.

a little name calling isn't going to crush their spirits forever and always. and you know what, sometimes a good shaming is necessary. Life sucks. Its hard and its cruel and the sooner Junior realizes the world doesn't revolve around him and his selfish desires, the better off the entire damn planet will be.


I will happily and proudly continue to call out ANYONE who unnecessarily accosts any helpless animal. the animal doesn't have a voice to say it's scared. your three year old does.

 

[JeanfromBNA]

Or maybe they were just shocked that an adult would call a 10 or 11 year old CHILD a "dumb***" You really are bragging about your husband cussing out a child?!?!

Here you all are talking about how awful it is that children are chasing and throwing rocks at animals (which I also believe is wrong), and are calling them out for what is essentially bullying behavior, but you don't see that cussing out children who are much smaller than you is also bullying (and tacky and rude) behavior ? I wonder if your husband would have done the same thing had both of their 6'5, 300 lb fathers had been there with them? Or is it only acceptable to "call out" people you know you can take in a fight?

If a child is doing a behavior that bothers you, you should tell their parents. If their parents are not around and it's a behavior that needs to be addressed, do so, but do it in the same way you'd like someone to speak to you. If they don't listen, then find someone who works there who can take care of it. You shouldn't speak to a child any differently than you would address their parents. Speaking to a child in a rude, disrespectful way because you know they can't fight back is being a bully.
Kelma

My husband didn't say that because he knew the children couldn't fight back. He said that because the ducks couldn't fight back. After other guests shouted to the children to leave the ducks alone, and they didn't, my husband didn't look around to see who was or wasn't there. He just admonished them, period.

It's not my experience that children who will blatantly engage in mean behavior will listen to kind, respectful words. The reason that some mean kids have developed such a hard-headed, entitled attitude is that there are too many people who will focus on the "harm" that criticism does to their child, and not the behavior that earned it.

 

[luvthemouse71]

Doing anything to an animal that they do not enjoy is wrong and regardless of how you want to rationalize it, it is still wrong.

If one must explain to an adult why doing something to an animal that frightens it is wrong, you can forget trying to make them understand.

If they don't get it on their own, they are certainly not going to get it from any of us trying to explain.

I saw just this last week 2 kids chasing an egret to the point the bird was frantic trying to escape them. However as stated earlier, sometimes nature takes care of its own and the bird turned and in its own defense it pecked one of the kids.

Had they left it alone it would have never ever done this, so lesson is; animals do not like to be chased.

And please do not insult well mannered children by saying "all" children do this, they don't!!

If anyone thinks this behavor is acceptable, next time to you visit the Animal Kingdom, ask an animal handler if chasing animals is appropriate behavior. Maybe your kids would enjoy chasing a tiger, at least the tiger would have a chance to make it known they did not enjoy it.

You're right, not all kids do this. It starts when they're small..my mom and dad always taught us to be respectful of wildlife. If one of us had gotten bit because we were tormenting an animal, there would have been scant sympathy. We could look, take pictures etc. but we weren't allowed to torment them for fun.

People think it's an exaggeration, but if someone has no respect for an animal's life, it's a short jump to having no respect for human life. I can't see why anyone would think it was fun to frighten an animal-a small child doesn't have bad intentions. But, good intentions or no, it's still the parents job to curb this behavior.

 

[maxiesmom]

And I don't find amusement in chasing animals to scare them. A child isn't chasing a rabbit around to scare the bejesus out of it. I was saying that unless your child is hurting an animal delibertly because he/she knows that there will be pain inflicted, I didn't see harm in chasing a bunnie./QUOTE]

The harm is that you are scaring the "bejesus" out of the animal! A duck or rabbit has no idea that a child doesn't intend to hurt it! It sees something bigger than itself trying to catch it, it doesn't know why!

Apparently some people find it hysterically funny to scare things smaller than themselves. I'm not one of them. I find it cruel and very unfunny.