dog walking off the lead - thing of the past

[happy_face]

So apparently some councils have introduced new laws that dogs should be kept on leads at all times when being walked. No more being let off to have a good run. This all comes down to people letting their dogs off to run riot and have absolutely no control over their dogs. Leaving their dogs to run up to other dogs and/or people and harass them. I always say if your recall is not 100% then your dog should not be off the lead. These new laws will no doubt spread quickly to become nationwide unless we as dog owners take responsibility. So please can I ask you all to spread the word and act responsibly when walking your dogs. Be a dog owner ambassador and show how it's meant to be done.

thanks

[Bigeye74]

happy_face, i think you'll find people that view this branch of the site are generally good dog owners. It only takes one to ruin it for the rest of us and you'll never stop that. Might be worth starting a petition though.
I recently read an article in the local rag where a woman claimed the she was attacked by a giant dog. She apparently felt its teeth graze her hand. Was she harmed...No, was she licked by a large puppy on a remote countryside walk...Yes. Was a completely biased article against letting your dog off the lead published...Yes.

[leelapops]

It's truly tragic that a very small few are hellbent on giving dogs and their owners a bad name. Worse still, the Media just love to latch on to a handful of high-profile stories, and tar everyone with the same brush.
Following a few extremely negative stories in the local press regarding dog-fouling/unruly dogs (and their owners) etc., I wrote in to complain. However, I was surprised and alarmed to find that in a reasonably sized town with a resonably sized doggy population, I was the ONLY person standing up for responsible dog owners.
I can't believe that genuine owners don't want to fight the cause-it makes me very sad.

Recent predictions suggest that there will be more dogs than ever before abandoned and discarded in the next few years, mainly because of the negative media/society attention. As a so-called "nation of animal lovers", what kind of people would want to see these predictions come true?

My Collie is on the lead until I reach a quiet area. I control him around other dogs, and around people, and pick up after him.
Our local park (jack's favourite hang-out!) has recently been subject to a similar bylaw-dogs must be kept on a lead at all times in the park. However, it does say that punishment is only possible if, as an owner, you don't comply with the rule when asked to do so. This means the rule is pretty much ignored!

I hope we can improve the rather grim-looking future for dogs and their devoted owners.

Lisa.

[garner]

Its the same old story...wrong people owning the wrong type of dog,and when you see somebody with no control and happen to mention it to them in a polite manner you just get a load of abuse and swearing as usual the minority spoiling it for the majority dont you think.

[lankeela]

A lot of councils already had bylaws in place, but have taken the opportunity to bring them up to date under Clause 6 of the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act (Dog Control Orders) which came into force on 6th April. Mostly they are to prevent people from exercising dogs off lead in built up areas, children's play areas, churchyards, busy beaches, etc. where most responsible people would not want to let their dogs off or take them anyway. The Kennel Club have started an organisation called KC Dog which keeps track of local authorities who are proposing to bring in new bylaws and keeps local residents informed of the intended new rules and how to lodge an objection. Visit www.thekennelclub.org.uk/item/295
for details and to see how to inform them if you spot an advert in your local paper (which is where they have to put the details of any proposed schemes).

[lankeela]

http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/item/295

[riapnash]

HI

Do you know if this will apply to rural areas? where bridle paths and footpaths cross? I walk my two dogs near a farm in a pretty rural area - there is bridlepath and public footpath that runs for miles. The people who live in the nearby cottages all walk their dogs off the lead and the farmer has no objection. I often meet him with his 2 Bernese dogs. Wil this law apply to public parks and places more in a town setting? To be exercised properly a dog has to be off a lead running as human pace of walking is too slow for there to be any detrimental impact to fitness -we will have a nation of even fatter dogs.

[happy_face]

I'm not sure, you would have to check with your local authority. Although am inclined to believe it's only in built up areas with public parks