One person's stupidity is another one's gain!!

Some twonk wrote a letter to our local paper this week entitled "Enforce 'Dogs on Lead' Law" in which he was basically moaning about an area that we walks a friends dogs where he frequently encounters dogs who are off the lead

His complaint is basically about the fact his dog has been attacked on occasions by off-lead dogs that don't respond to their owners which in itself is a valid point - it is frustrating when your dog is on lead and an off lead dog charges up and it causes a scuffle.

However to say that dogs should not be allowed off lead ever in a public place is ludicrous. There are no signs leading into the park/field area that say dog's must be on lead, there is just the usual "pick up after your dog" sign.

The plus side of it is that he named the area he walks and I discovered that this park/field area is 5 minutes walk from our house so we went to check it out tonight and it is very handy for this time of year when daylight hours are limited!

Who walks round a field with a dog on a short lead anyway? Apart from training, the point of an enclosed field and a dog is that they get to have a run around? May be he should road walk his dog and less chance of that happening, although I do agree, if a dog is aggressive then it shouldnt be off lead, not without a muzzle as why should others and their dogs pay the price? But I agree, the majority of dogs that get off lead are not aggressive. I think what some people class as 'attacked' isn't usually an actual attack (although intimidating and unacceptable people sometimes get a bit carried away I think)

I'm also wondering why it so happens that his dog is getting attacked on the lead so often - is it actually sparking thinks off staring, barking...? Since its on the lead, in a field...why dosn't it get off lead..?

It really annoys me when you are in an enclosed area and most of the dogs are running around free, someone comes on with their dog on a lead. If they are not going to let their dog run free then as Dobermann says, why not walk on the road. For our first short walk of the day we go to the local playing field where there are up to 15 dogs all playing happily together - absolutely no aggression and all sorts of dogs from king charles, labrador, Jack russell, lurchers and my three. It is lovely to watch them have such a great time, some doing their own thing, others playing.

I agree - i don't get people who won't let their dog off lead but insist on taking them to popular dog walking area's where dogs are likely to be off lead.

I agree, that is ludicrous to suggest all dogs remain on lead! I can understand his frustration, I'm sure we all can to some extent, but asking for all dogs to be kept on lead is just unfair. It would be a better solution if he perhaps went at times when the park was quieter.

I walk my dog on a lead in the fields because her recall isn't perfect. It's a common problem, doesn't necessarily mean the dog is vicious! The first post states that he walks the dog for a friend - perhaps he doesn't take it off lead because he doesn't feel it is appropriate with it not being his dog?

I can understand that what he is asking is ridiculous but don't you think it's a little unfair to suggest that dogs who can't go off lead are just road walked? I know my dog would get incredibly bored with that. Not to mention she wouldn't be able to run around with me and play games on the road

Errr....me.


Yep, I'll only walk on the road, never let my dog on a field to run with me, or experience sniffing the grass etc.

There are many reasons a dog is walked on the lead (illness/bad recall/agressive etc).
Teagan is dog agressive, but also has arthritis.
I walk her on the park - on her lead.
I avoid other people who have dogs running about - and have never had a problem with anyone, and they haven't with me!

Sorry my post was rather insensitive. I was really referring to dogs on leads that could and should be let off. Obviously there are some dogs which need to be on leads and they still require the stimulation and pleasure of smelling the grass and sniffing around in the hedge etc. just as the off lead ones do.

I walk my dog in the field on a short lead if there's other dogs about, If there's no dogs close she goes off lead but any dogs approaching she goes on. She hardly leaves my side and has good recall but doean't like other dogs running at her mainly in her face.
I won't road walk her because she has arthritis in all her legs and has bad elbows so refuse to do that just to please someone else.
My late Cocker was attacked in the field by an off lead cairn and attacked when i was away last year by a GSD on an extendable lead so unless i know certain dogs i don't trust them and can't risk them upsetting my completly under control Rottweiler who walks along minding her own business ignoring all dogs that are under control.
I respect other dog owners all the time i don't see why they can't give the same back.

I think its just as unfair to expect that any dogs already in the field are made to go on lead simply because another dog does not know how to take them - as I said a dog that is going to charge over there and be aggressive should not be off lead around others.

I can fully appreciate if someone has thier dog on the lead then I will call mine back (unless its a 'friend' he stays with me anyway) but dogs are animals and stuff happens.....so if he knows this is a well-known 'off-lead' area....

In no way did I say that dogs who stay on the lead should never be walked on grass or able to run in a field.

That is what I wrote, not "that dogs who can't go off lead are just road walked?" He is obviously so stressed and anxious about the dog getting attacked that he is in the newspaper wanting a bill to be passed that ALL dogs should stay on the lead. I think if I felt that wound up about it I would just avoid the offending dogs and owners if they could not agree to be respectful when they are around and if they were already there I would road walk my dog - not change the nations laws on dogs! Its the owners of those dogs, not all dogs that will be a problem.


I think thats how most people are and should be. Give and take, you avoid certain situations you know won't turn out well and you enjoy others. I let my dog go up to dogs we know and I know the owners are fine with it, others I have him stay with me.....I have had a dog 'that didn't like dogs' growing up but we never considered it everyone elses problem, it was ours, he was the one that didn't get on with them and he was the one kept on lead in busy places, we just let people know that he didnt get on with them and to call their dog back...never expected everyone else to put all their dogs on the lead.

I wasn't trying to offend anyone but think that if someone has invested a lot in socialisation and training they have every right to let their dog enjoy an earned freedom. Just as the dog on a lead needs to be given respect, it goes both ways.

And I agree, saying that all dogs should stay on lead isn't fair on those dogs but I also think suggesting that because he has a problem with the dog he is in charge of being attacked, he should confine his dog to road walks is just as unfair... I personally think avoiding the park at the busiest times would be a better idea.