Before my comments start a small world war, I must point out I am a dog lover. My happy little Bishon- Fries “Mr Chas” is the undisputed king of the Morley household.
His every whim is my command, we are companions and friends.
However our happy little world has been recently upset by a series of encounters with enormous off-lead dogs that make a bee-line for us on our daily ramble.
It would seem I am not alone in being uncomfortable with loose dogs – more people are being attacked or bothered by pet dogs left to roam free by their owners.
Sadly, however, and for reasons I don’t fully understand some owners are happy to stand at a distance and let their dogs bound about and pounce on passers by.
With the “oh don’t mind the dog, he’s just saying hello…blah” excuse.
Well sorry; I do mind your dog. In addition, I do not want it to say hello, slaver, pounce, slap or bite me or my little happy mutt.
But my main worry is that some of these bigger dogs could do some real damage to my dog, especially as they never seem to respond to their owner’s instructions.
It has happened before, “Mr Chas” was almost swallowed by a big dog – I had to prize his neck from the jaws of the attacker, who lamely said “Oh he has never attacked another dog before.”
“If he had been on a lead, he would not have had the chance would he,” I replied.
When a dog is free to run the streets and coast, the fact is that it usually just ignores the owner and carries on being a nuisance to the public.
I find snippity self-righteous dog owners a real pain; especially those who adopt dogs out of pure boredom – most of them having absolutely no experience of taking care of animals.
Too many just let their animals foul the paths, fields and beaches with muck.
Owning a dog is not just a privilege – it’s a responsibility sadly many choose to ignore – not just a responsibly to the dog, but to those who it encounters.
My new idea is very simple, why not walk your dog on a lead (they do sell extendable ones) and if it does a bit of toilet business, pick it up with a poop bag.
Then we can all live in harmony on our happy little island.
