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

lostinrates

kathrynha wrote: »

I have a fear of dogs and it really limits what we do as a family, because I can't use our local parks due to uncontrolled dogs running loose.

At the same time I accept that dogs need to be able to run around, burn off energy, socialise with each other, etc.

I also accept that is a minority of dog owners that are the issue.

I think all dogs should be on leads when walking along roads, and they should be short leads, not those ones that go really long. It is places away from roads that require more flexible rules.

I think an easy solution would be to have certain times in parks when dogs are allowed off leads.
Say till 9am off lead allowed, 9-13 on lead dogs allowed, 13-17 no dogs allowed, 17-19 on lead dogs and 19 onwards off lead allowed.
That way everyone gets a bit of what they want, it could be policed with cctv, which would be cheaper than fencing off sections of parks to be dog free areas.

I love your balanced attitude, thank you for understanding the need pet dogs have and there owners, despite your fears. I have wondered the same solution. But it would be very difficult for some shift pattern workers, for example, and expensive to police. I'm not sure policing presumably otherwise well behaved dogs on leads is a priority when resources are so limited.


Fwiw, my older two dogs know not to approach dogs on leads and do run to people but stoop about 20 metres to twenty feet out. Just to see if they are welcome. My youngest dog is not learning this , IMO, essential life skill well at all, and I know its because we do fewer social walks than in the past. Interestingly the younger one ( who is little) is much more tolerated and pandered too, in fact I had to ask people not to encourage him all the time on our walk on Saturday, than the other two who behave perfectly. This is just because of how he looks.

lazer

kathrynha wrote: »

I have a fear of dogs and it really limits what we do as a family, because I can't use our local parks due to uncontrolled dogs running loose.

At the same time I accept that dogs need to be able to run around, burn off energy, socialise with each other, etc.

I also accept that is a minority of dog owners that are the issue.

I think all dogs should be on leads when walking along roads, and they should be short leads, not those ones that go really long. It is places away from roads that require more flexible rules.

I think an easy solution would be to have certain times in parks when dogs are allowed off leads.
Say till 9am off lead allowed, 9-13 on lead dogs allowed, 13-17 no dogs allowed, 17-19 on lead dogs and 19 onwards off lead allowed.
That way everyone gets a bit of what they want, it could be policed with cctv, which would be cheaper than fencing off sections of parks to be dog free areas.

I agree with this - public should be shared, either set times dogs are allowed on lead/offlead or certain parks dog are allowed on lead and off lead.
One park is dog friendly, the one 1 mile down the road is dogs on lead only etc.

Although in saying that I walk in an area where dogs are meant to be on a lead and well people just ignore it and it's not enforced well by the council.

Kinski

My two dogs are mainly kept on the lead as my male dog can be funny with other dogs and my female dog is a bit of a gut bucket, she will try and clear the park of all the food that humans leave behind, sweets, crisps, chocolate, the remains of barbecues, you name if a human leaves food she'll try and get it. I was walking through the local park last night with my well behaved dogs, the local football team had just left the changing room and low and behold yet again one of them goes up to the nearest tree exposes himself to anyone passing and started to urinate. I also had to dodge the small children who think it's fun to run up and try and grab my dogs because they're small and fluffy, I won't even start on the Lycra louts ( cyclists ) as I'd be here all day. There are good and bad in in all walks of life but please don't just assume that because you have a dog it's going to be running loose, trying to trip you up, trying to eat your children or crapping everywhere. The dog walkers in our park are actually the ones that help to keep it clean by picking up the rubbish left behind by humans.

kathrynha

lostinrates wrote: »

I love your balanced attitude, thank you for understanding the need pet dogs have and there owners, despite your fears. I have wondered the same solution. But it would be very difficult for some shift pattern workers, for example, and expensive to police. I'm not sure policing presumably otherwise well behaved dogs on leads is a priority when resources are so limited.

My cousin is a shift worker with a dog and a young child, so I totally understand the difficulties. Her dog is so well trained, that I am ok with her after been introduced slowly to her. Having done trips out with my cousin and our children, I understand some of the problems of dog owners. A lot of our local parks have the kids play area fenced in, and no dogs are allowed in. I always thought this was brilliant, but now I see the issue my cousin has with needing to take the dog for a walk, and wanting to take her child to the park.

My suggested times might not work for everyone, and it would be difficult to make it work for everyone.
If it's an urban area with lots of parks, maybe one park where dogs are allowed, and one where they arent would work, and be easier to police. Where parks are more spread out, then times would be better.
Policing would cost money, but the cost of dog bites to the NHS, dog poo clearing up to the council etc also cost money, and a lot of parks already have cctv. Maybe a dog license to fund this policing?

My personal solution at the moment is to pay for RHS membership and to visit the local RHS garden where no dogs are allowed, but I should really be able to use my local parks which I contribute towards through my taxes.

gettingready

I think an easy solution would be to have certain times in parks when dogs are allowed off leads.
Say till 9am off lead allowed, 9-13 on lead dogs allowed, 13-17 no dogs allowed, 17-19 on lead dogs and 19 onwards off lead allowed.
That way everyone gets a bit of what they want, it could be policed with cctv, which would be cheaper than fencing off sections of parks to be dog free areas.

Theoretically a very good idea. In practise though - people wowrk different hours and dogs want to/need to go out at different hours really.

Mid day, Zara goes out with a dog walker, no way all 6 dogs could be on leads for all the time.

Winter time it is dark early.

They do go out of people's way into woods etc but still - dogs are off leads. My dog walker still has total control over all dogs but they are off lead.

hayley11

I don't see why dogs can't be let off in parks, fields etc. as long as not in the childrens play area and as long as the owner has their dog under control. Why can't the space be for everybody to enjoy? I can only stay local with my dogs and we're so limited where we can go, off lead. We have a local park with a wooded area, a little stream etc and they would absolutely love to be able to run free there but I would get fined if they caught, it's ridiculous.

lostinrates

kathrynha wrote: »

My cousin is a shift worker with a dog and a young child, so I totally understand the difficulties. Her dog is so well trained, that I am ok with her after been introduced slowly to her. Having done trips out with my cousin and our children, I understand some of the problems of dog owners. A lot of our local parks have the kids play area fenced in, and no dogs are allowed in. I always thought this was brilliant, but now I see the issue my cousin has with needing to take the dog for a walk, and wanting to take her child to the park.

My suggested times might not work for everyone, and it would be difficult to make it work for everyone.
If it's an urban area with lots of parks, maybe one park where dogs are allowed, and one where they arent would work, and be easier to police. Where parks are more spread out, then times would be better.
Policing would cost money, but the cost of dog bites to the NHS, dog poo clearing up to the council etc also cost money, and a lot of parks already have cctv. Maybe a dog license to fund this policing?

My personal solution at the moment is to pay for RHS membership and to visit the local RHS garden where no dogs are allowed, but I should really be able to use my local parks which I contribute towards through my taxes.

Licence ing would not cover the costs. Licensing might well be a good idea, I am in favour theoretically, but not as a revenue raising activity, it would be a very expensive thing to do.

Dog walkers tend to pay taxes too, and provide employment in the way of dog walks, vets, vet nurses, pet supplies manufacturers etc etc....

poet123

hayley11 wrote: »

I don't see why dogs can't be let off in parks, fields etc. as long as not in the childrens play area and as long as the owner has their dog under control. Why can't the space be for everybody to enjoy? I can only stay local with my dogs and we're so limited where we can go, off lead. We have a local park with a wooded area, a little stream etc and they would absolutely love to be able to run free there but I would get fined if they caught, it's ridiculous.

If some people/children are frightened of dogs running free then they can't enjoy the space though if a dog is off the lead. I love dogs but due to the incident with my son we have never been able to have one as he is petrified of them, even now, 20 plus years later.

~_Aridjis_~

Dog owners should try to understand that public spaces are for everyone, not just them and their (out of control) pets!

gettingready

~_Aridjis_~ wrote: »

Dog owners should try to understand that public spaces are for everyone, not just them and their (out of control) pets!

So should parents - understand public spaces are for everyone as are buses/tubes etc and not let their screeming/out of control kids bother other people.

Yet we do not say kids can only get on public transport (for example) between 10am and 4pm...