Is it a dog or a boy?

Last sun, I was on my way to work at orchard.. then I saw an ang moh with his son.. then I saw something which I feel quite surprised..The boy has a strap that is wrapped around him and it link to a long strap which his father is holding on to.. I understand the father may not want his son to run away from him but tying his son up like this.. a bit weird right.. maybe it is something usual in the ang moh country but not here bah.. that father is taking a stroll with his son but it just like taking a dog for a stroll with a long strap linked to his collar.. this picture really appears in my mind.. haha..