Children screaming at the sight of Zara

Took Zara to the nine bridges today as I always to every day. This place is mainly used by dog walkers but people do come to relax by the water and walk around. There is a family who own some land near by and stay there in there caravans. Very friendly and polite family. Although today around six of the children where out playing by the nine bridges (no adults present) ranging from the age of about 3 to11
We had only just arrived so luckily Zara was still on her lead. I had to pass the children to carry on with our walk. Well as we did this the children went crazy screaming "oh my god get that dog away from us" one girl was screaming at the top of her voice and the eldest boy said " you keep that dog away from me or I swear I will....he didn't finish his sentence.
It was an awful situation. I felt terrible. Zara was fully under control on her lead. I feel really sad about it. It was almost like they saw her as the devil. Really shook me up and upset me...... And they where only kids
Just wanted to share this rather strange experience with you
Decided to carry on going there but park up the complete opposite side to where they stay as Zara loves it there. I do not want this to happen again

How strange!

It was very strange!!!

Brats.

I saw something similar happen in the park think it was a lab on lead further down away from us and this kid about 5-6yrs with his mum he just freaked screaming, crying etc and properly scaring the dog, it put Ledger on alert across the park the poor owner was just stunned.

Can understand kids being scared of dogs but don't understand why parents would put them in those situations like mine was at the end of a narrow short cut path in a popular dog walking area I don't even walk Ledger that way if there is a dog I don't know coming the other way it's just too narrow

My friend had this happen, her partner was walking her dog, he was let off the lead in the park, this old woman started screaming before he was anywhere near her which in turn made her Yorkshire attack my friebds dog... and my friebds dog unfortunately finished it..... fair enough people might be frightened of dogs but when people encourage fear the situation can end up so much worse.

I agree with janey, horrible brats!!

Horrible!
Did you say anything to them?

I cannot understand why children have to scream at the top of their voices sometimes, so stressful.   

I just said don't be scared of her she's a lovely friendly dog.... Which made no difference what so ever. I just kept Zara close to me as all the screaming was exciting her at first and then I could tell she was confused.
Yes they where little brats!!
What has confused me is that they have two huge German shepherds on their land. So surely they are use to dogs and there is always lots of dogs in this area.

Cause they are just little Brats

There could be an underlying issue here, a bad experiance with another dog perhaps. remember children arnt always rational and parents can breed fear into them as well.
I get my fair share of people giving us a wide birth, picking up toddlers, small dogs etc like im waving about a large kitchen knife with a manic stare.
just remember they dont know your dog, they are probably very uneducated about dogs, they probably beleive everything they read in the press like gormless sheep.
why it makes you feel uncomfortable, its your dog, you know its a big softie that given half a chance would shower them with loving licks and kisses. you have an "insult my dog your insult me" attitude just like every other person on the forum. Its hard to overcome mate but you will and sometimes you will bump into people that are the polar oposite, usually around autumn and winter when the fair weather walkers only go as far as kicking there dogs out into the garden.
you will grow a thick skin and not give a damn about these idiots in time so dont worry. Personally i was exactley the same, now i just giggle inside or feel pity for there ignorance.

i visited the estate agents that handle my rental properties a couple of weeks ago and,as always,took tessa with me. they are fine with me taking her in there and always make a fuss of her and even keep a bowl for water. i am sat talking to my agent when a little girl of about 5 or 6 comes over to stroke tessa and she loves this because,like all staffies,she loves kids. her mother screams from the other side of the office OH GOD NO and runs across to grab her daughter,scaring her and tessa half to death. then she tells me that my dog looks "sinister" and that i should be locked up for wanting to own a "child killer".
i didn't try to explain anything to her because she was obviously a daily mail reader so it would have been pointless but it does wind me up that these people are so prejudice and that little girl will never know what it's like to have a staffie cuddle.

Yep but these little sh1ts have 2 GSD, sorry I would like to make excuses but some kids are just horrible! lol x

Hi .... Thank you for all your replies. Feeling much better today. Went back for our usual early evening walk....the father of the screaming children was around.... So I told him about the children's reactions.... He apologised on there behalf and said he would speak to them... Oh and went on to say what a beautiful dog I have....

Well done you Xx