Dogs on leads

[emilynotail]

A local community group has been set up concerning our local recreation ground. A couple of months ago a dog killed a cat in the rec while off the lead.

Most of the members of this group, not being dog owners are pushing for a bylaw for all dogs to be kept on leads all of the time. Half the rec consists of a separate play area where dogs are not allowed. The other half is an open green space where people let their dogs run.

This is one of the only places nearby to exercise dogs. I think that it is unfair to punish all dogs/owners for this one dogs actions. I guess what I am really asking is would they be allowed to enforce/introduce this.

Thankyou for any input.

[woofgang]

which "they" are you talking about? If the community group then no but if you are talking about the community group getting the council to do something then yes. I would suggest that you dog owners get together to form your own group and start by talking to the "dogs on lead" folks. Its a sad fact that dogs are predators and will chase and kill other animals but as you say, not really fair to tar all dogs with the same brush...if these folk are not dog owners, they may not understand your POV. Are ther other issues? eg uncleaned up mess, noise anything thst people could object to? Do try talking and negotiation, try not to make a fight of it as the council may just decide to take the easy route and ban you!

[lankeela]

The Kennel Club has set up somethingt called KC Dog which deals with this sort of thing:

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

[woofgang]

thnka for that lankeela, have just been and joined

[im stuck]

What about the cats owner!!!

[emilynotail]

I think that is a risk you have to accept if you let your cat out unsupervised. The same way cats will kill when they are allowed out and it's not as though the dog came into the cat's garden. It's sad for the owner though.

I believe the owner of the cat and the owner of the guilty dog have spoken and the dog owner has agreed to muzzle her dog.

[im stuck]

Even if the cat was supervised, the dog was OFF the lead and would still have killed it.

[madmaggot]

emilynotail I am shocked by your reply.
The fault lies completely with the dog owner. It is irresponsible owners such as this one that gets all dogs banned from running loose in public places.
If the dog was not trained sufficiently to be recalled at any time then it should not have been off the lead.
Unfortunately councils now have the power to do this and as long as people fail to train their dogs they will be pressurised to do so.
There are plenty of training classes throughout the country and also programmes on TV where advice can be sought.

[zzxxee]

its lovely to be able to see your mutt run free maybe they should fence off an excercise area for the dogs?

[emilynotail]

I wasn't disputing that. I agree that the fault was with the owner. That dog was not being controlled.It is a shame that this had to happen for the owner to take proper responsibility. It's a shame that all other responsible owners might suffer because of this. I would be able to call my dog away. Her only contact with a cat was when one attacked her! All I meant was that when you let a cat out I think you are taking some risk. Not just from dogs but foxes and traffic.

[zzxxee]

in order to train a dog to come back you need space to let them off the lead so your fighting a loseing battle really

[Tallulah!]

'They' meaning the local town council are proposing that dogs be kept on the lead in the park and also that no more than 4 dogs can be walked together by one person.
Dogs must already be kept on the lead on the prom by a long section of the beach during the summer.
It seems that many people have had small DOGS savaged.

[madmaggot]

No zzxxee, I disagree.
My dog was trained indoors to recall reliably by the time she was 16 weeks. She was never let off the lead when outdoors until I was sure that she would return to me when called. Training a dog is not difficult, they want to please their master/mistress, you just have to show them what they have to do by rewarding the correct behaviour and ignoring incorrect behaviour. Oh, and having a tremendous amount of patience.

[emilynotail]

madmaggot, I agree, You can train a dog recal in any sized area and if the dog is not obedient or you don't bother with training then you should just have the common sense to keep it on the lead.