Originally Posted by dbd33

We do do that. That is, if we see people coming we leash the dogs, if there are likely to be people about then they're leashed anyway. Still, if someone feels compelled to haul his or her progeny far up trails or deep into woods and then set them down to wail, puke and caterwaul amid the beauteous wilderness then I think they're fair game for a friendly lick from a dog who's owner didn't expect them to be there. I see that one cannot keep children entirely confined until adulthood but if one limits them to the child park, the doctor's clinic and places of education there should be no need for them to be exposed to animals.

The only circumstance where I can't see that an easy division of children and animals can be achieved is outside the pub. Neither children nor animals are generally allowed into pubs in Canada so both have to be parked outside. Dogs are best left on a longish leash so as to enable them to shamelessly beg for affection from passers-by. Children tend to be encased in those faux-sporty permabulators their owners shove or tow along the pavement mowing down pensioners and slashing ankles like a rollalong bag in the airport, these leave their faces exposed to licking. Given the need to leave dogs and children outside (and in the case of the latter, thank God) I don't see a simple way to prevent dog/child interaction during social events. Encasing the child in an American football helmet would keep it from biting and would keep the dog from licking its face but it's an expensive solution, maybe it'd be better to just lock the kid in its room.