All Dog owners should be aware of these upcoming changes in the law

zaksmum

Person_one wrote: »

Foreign people? Pretty sure lots of Brits have an irrational fear of dogs, and I'm not even sure how you can tell what nationality someone is without asking...

That aside, its a good question though. If someone is so terrified of dogs that one walking or running perfectly safely nearby scares them, how and why is that the dog owner's problem?

When they are screeching at their kids in a foreign language, it's usually a safe bet to assume, without asking, that they are foreign...!:)

Person_one

poet123 wrote: »

I agree, I know someone who is terrified of dogs due to a severe fright when young caused by a large dog running free and bounding up to him and jumping on him. The dog was only playing but it caused real trauma to the the person as a four year old. It is still with them today.

Dogs shouldn't be running free in parks or on the streets.

Do you mean parks as in children's playgrounds, or more generally?

From about October to April the only people using most parks are dog walkers and the more committed joggers!

poet123

Parks as in public spaces.

Person_one

poet123 wrote: »

Parks as in public spaces.

Do you think its fair to expect dogs to go their whole lives never or hardly ever being able to run at full speed? To play unhindered with their owners or with other dogs? To explore and sniff the world around them? Personally, I think that borders on cruelty, unless its necessary for health or safety reasons.

Many many dogs up and down this country go for off lead walks every single day with no harm caused, with hardly any dog-averse people even realising! Dogs have been living alongside us for tens of thousands of years, why have so many turned against them in the last few decades?

shegirl

Jojo_the_Tightfisted wrote: »

I'd like to see somebody try.

Wasp muzzles, anybody?

:rotfl:

Have to say I also think dogs should be on lead in public places.Those who say that parks are only used by dog owners during certain months and times should realise how many people are put off use due to dogs running around! Gone are the days of picnics on a local field/nature reserve..

I also hate,with a passion,owners who think it is perfectly fine for their dogs to be running up to and jumping at people,whether playful or not.It scares the hell out of my son and owners act as if it's his problem...No,control your blinkin dog!

poet123

I think that the rights of people to walk in public parks unhindered are more important than facilitating dogs running wild.

If a walk on a lead is not sufficient then take them into the countryside and let them off the lead there, making sure animals are not bothered by them.

System

poet123 wrote: »

I think that the rights of people to walk in public parks unhindered are more important than facilitating dogs running wild.

If a walk on a lead is not sufficient then take them into the countryside and let them off the lead there, making sure animals are not bothered by them.

Well that is not going to work. You are either trespassing on somebodies land or there will be restrictions such as dogs being kept on lead. The amount of countryside where you can legitimately allow a dog to run free is very limited.

Person_one

shegirl wrote: »

Have to say I also think dogs should be on lead in public places.Those who say that parks are only used by dog owners during certain months and times should realise how many people are put off use due to dogs running

:rotfl:

I think its the rain and the mud, to be honest! It puts plenty of dog walkers off, the ones you only see when the sun comes out when the parks are packed to the rafters.

You can't seriously think that in an empty park or field or beach or woodland, with not a soul in sight and acres of lovely open space, my poor dogs should be restricted to staying on the end of a lead and shouldn't get to enjoy that space?

Big_Tree

So glad I live in Scotland......The law is a joke in England and Wales.

Bluemeanie_2

My dog is very well trained off the lead. I don't think it is fair for dogs to be on a lead in public places. "Residential" streets and main roads etc maybe. But definitely not open spaces and woods. I agree with the other poster it is bordering on cruelty.

I am involved in this line of work so have had to follow the changes to legislation closely. Most of the complaints we get about "dangerous" dogs at the minute are either complete overreactions, or the person alleging to have been attacked (usually a small nip, "big" cases are referred to the Police) or their animal attacked, won't actually go to court, so other than words of advice, we cannot do anything!