Tying a dog up outside a play centre

[Teeki]

I think it's pretty inconsiderate to the poor dog to leave him there for that long if you know you're going to be inside for an hour or two. I know it'd be torture for my dog to be by the door seeing people to play with for that long, he'd wind up annoyed and bored. I'd just leave him home.

I also think it's inconsiderate to others leaving him that close to the door and taking up that much of the path. It is a public space, but in that particular space it would be reasonable to come across young children who may a) be scared of dogs, b) be allergic to dogs, or c) come running out and do what kids do - maybe get rough with the dog and have him react. C) is what I'd be most worried about. If the dog's been there bored for an hour you don't know what a child may do and how he may react.

[Mother Goose]

I'm going to go on a different path (pardon the pun) and say that I have an issue with the matt. It sounds like it became a trip hazard - which becomes an OHS hazard - which becomes an issue for the centre if it is on their property...

With regards to the dog - I have no issue with it being tied up. Although I do have a bug bear about dogs being tied up to block door ways or walking paths regardless of the facility (play centre, supermarket, pub etc). I just dislike walkways and doors being blocked in general (bike, dog, rubbish etc)

[Phteven]

I don't see anything to get worked up about. It's a little different but if the dog was unhappy that's something that would have been obvious. If people leave their children unsupervised outside playcentres/beside car parks then there are larger concerns than the potential for them to annoy a dog.

[Floweryfields]

I occasionally tie my dog up outside a shop when I call in to buy something - given that's usually only 5 minutes or so, but would you that be considered a problem too? Dog owners can't take them into the shop with them, so that's the only option if you're walking.
There can be people with allergies anywhere - they could walk past you on the street....if it's a public place, like previously mentioned, without signage stating otherwise, I think the people were within their rights to tie the dog up. I am concerned about no water for the dog though and someone taking it.

[Ginger]

i think if the dog was happy and they were checking on its welfare occasionally, then no, i wouldn't be upset about it.