Just hearing that some local authorities are issuing blanket bans on dogs being let off the lead in open areas?
Their reasoning is that if the dogs are not well behaved then their owners may have to get closer to other people to retrieve them.
Now I can 'get' this and I think if you have a dog with bad recall then it makes sense to keep them on a lead. However, the majority of dogs (in my area anyway) are exceptionally well behaved and obedient. I am fortunate enough to live in an area where we have a lot of open spaces. What I have noticed is that people ARE respecting the rules, fewer people out, only going once a day, dogs running about but returning on command. No people are needing to be up close for any reason.
Why a total ban concerns me so much is: Dogs do need to run. IF the whole country bans any form of chasing balls off lead then wouldn't that increase the footfall on pavements with owners walking longer distances to ensure their pets have enough exercise? Dogs can actually get depressed if they don't have enough exercise and many people don't have gardens big enough for this.
I sincerely hope it never comes 'law' here and that the Government does realise that not everybody has a dog that will ignore its owner. In fact, I would go as far as to say it is the minority and rather than a complete ban I would rather guidelines were issued e.g. IF your dog is likely to run off with strangers and not return then keep them on a lead. Makes more sense than depriving ALL dogs just in case..
July 23 Limerick (continuation of July 21)