Should all dogs be muzzled when out in public?

arbroath_lass

OP why do you think it is an important question? (Seems like a Daily Fail type of question to me).

Speaking as someone who's cat was attacked and seriously injured by a dog - no, I don't think all dogs should be muzzled. I do think all potential dog-owners should be assessed before they are allowed near an animal.

KateBob

No, I'm not a dog owner (just for info).

Whenever anyone mentions blanket dog control methods it reminds me of when my son was a toddler and we used to walk on nearby fields.

If I saw a dog in the distance, either on or off the lead, I'd call him to me and hold his hand.
Usually the dog walker would say their dog wouldn't hurt a fly, to which I would explain "I wish I could say the same about my son"

pulliptears

No
.........

GBNI

No. Definitely not.

krlyr

lostinrates wrote: »

If offered a choice between denying my dogs off lead exercise OR muzzling them for it, I'd choose the muzzle and free running option.

I find it interesting that a basket muzzle is seen as Inhumane where the denial of important free socialising, running for health and sheer enjoyment is not. I wouldn't want my dogs to wear a muzzle all the time at all, but more so I feel the need for them to run and play is essential. I'd compromise if necessary with muzzling off lead.

But it's a hypothetical situation. No one here is denying their dog socialisation, just because they object to a blanket rule about muzzling all dogs in public. I'm sure many would, if the idea ever became law, find a way to meet their dog's needs, e.g. muzzling if that was the only way the dog was allowed off-lead.

I agree that muzzles are sometimes looked at negatively, when the dogs themselves rarely have an issue (providing it has been introduced and counter conditioned properly). But even though mine have been muzzled trained and will wear them on occasions, I still don't believe every dog should have to wear a muzzle (on-lead or off)

lostinrates

krlyr wrote: »

But it's a hypothetical situation. No one here is denying their dog socialisation, just because they object to a blanket rule about muzzling all dogs in public. I'm sure many would, if the idea ever became law, find a way to meet their dog's needs, e.g. muzzling if that was the only way the dog was allowed off-lead.

I agree that muzzles are sometimes looked at negatively, when the dogs themselves rarely have an issue (providing it has been introduced and counter conditioned properly). But even though mine have been muzzled trained and will wear them on occasions, I still don't believe every dog should have to wear a muzzle (on-lead or off)

Agreed, and I am not arguing FOR muzzles.
However, the climate is such that normal dog exercising is less common and people are less tolerant. The plethora of dogs on leads threads is testament to that. I can imagine a future where we are arguing for the right to let dogs exercise off lead. If I were faced with this future, which id consider possible in some places, my post is arguing how I would argue for the benefit of dogs.

wilykit

lostinrates wrote: »

If offered a choice between denying my dogs off lead exercise OR muzzling them for it, I'd choose the muzzle and free running option.

I find it interesting that a basket muzzle is seen as Inhumane where the denial of important free socialising, running for health and sheer enjoyment is not. I wouldn't want my dogs to wear a muzzle all the time at all, but more so I feel the need for them to run and play is essential. I'd compromise if necessary with muzzling off lead.

Not all dogs are able to be let off a lead.

I got my dog when he was 16 months and his recall has never been good and he will run up to dogs that are on a lead regardless of whether they are friendly or not, which could cause problems.

He would also run into the road, causing accidents and has a tendency to steal people's footballs

lostinrates

wilykit wrote: »

Not all dogs are able to be let off a lead.

I got my dog when he was 16 months and his recall has never been good and he will run up to dogs that are on a lead regardless of whether they are friendly or not, which could cause problems.

He would also run into the road, causing accidents and has a tendency to steal people's footballs

And dogs with injuries.

Again to be clear I am not arguing for muzzles, but a muzzle would stop football stealing.

Nevertheless, I maintain for the majority of healthy, normal dogs off lead socialising and exercising is beneficial and humane, and if faced with a choice in a future where in creasing ly we have to defend our right to exercise dogs I would argue strongly for the exercise my dogs benefit from for health and the socialisation they benefit from for emotional health, If a cage muzzle where the only way to secure this ( in the theoretical posed) I'd jump in that camp.

I am NOT arguing all dogs should wear muzzles just for the fun of it now.

Person_one

wilykit wrote: »

Not all dogs are able to be let off a lead.

I got my dog when he was 16 months and his recall has never been good and he will run up to dogs that are on a lead regardless of whether they are friendly or not, which could cause problems.

He would also run into the road, causing accidents and has a tendency to steal people's footballs

Most dogs, with enough effort put into training and socialisation, can be let off the lead in at least some circumstances. None can be off the lead all the time! There are a growing number of people who want to stop that though, who would happily see every dog spend their whole life without ever being off a lead unless they were in their own home or on their own land.

lostinrates

Person_one wrote: »

There are a growing number of people who want to stop that though, who would happily see every dog spend their whole life without ever being off a lead unless they were in their own home or on their own land.

Thank goodness someone understands what I am saying and concerned about.