blondmusic
Registered: 09/05/09
Posts: 5
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| #1 |
Regarding the proposed offences under the Dog Control Order I agree with the majority of proposals but I do have questions about 1 of the proposed offences. ‘Not Keeping A Dog On A Lead’ concerns me particularly as I am a dog owner and I do like to allow my dog off her lead so she can have a run around. I only let her off the lead when there are no other dogs around and they are no childrens parks. I believe it would be unfair to force owners to keep a dog on a lead all the time. Dogs do like some freedom so they can have a run around and play fetch among other games. I am a responsible dog owner and I am happy to keep my dog on a lead around roads and schools but I like to be able to let her off the lead sometimes. I would like to know if this Dog Control Order is introduced if there are any specific places where owners will be allowed to let dogs off the lead and if so where? |
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DBC1
Moderator
Registered: 02/07/08
Posts: 18
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| #2 |
Sorry it has taken so long for these posts to be uploaded. We had some technical problems with the Forum, which prevented us from viewing your posts. This has now been fixed.
Thanks for your patience.
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touchstone
Registered: 11/01/09
Posts: 3
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| #3 |
As a responsible dog owner then you shouldn't have anything to worry about.
As I understand it, the control order will apply to keeping a dog on a lead where it is appropriate, so it will prevent people letting dogs off the lead in unsuitable areas such as where children are playing etc. I don't think that the plan is to keep dogs on a lead all the time 
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DJones
Registered: 09/05/09
Posts: 4
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| #4 |
Sloppy open-ended legislation leads to creeping and often draconian usage (plenty of examples in recent anti-terror or Asbo law for example).
The idea that dogs have to be on a lead (and therefore unable to fetch a ball or stick or freely swim in a river) within the whole of Darlington Borough (which includes a lot of countryside) may not be the idea behind the legislation, but if it is possible under the new legislation it may very well end up being the effective reality.
Using a sledgehammer to crack a walnut is no more sensible than bringing in blanked, unfocused legislation to tackle a few irresponsible dog owners in specific circumstances, although it may well be the easiest "solution" for DBC.
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touchstone
Registered: 11/01/09
Posts: 3
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| #5 |
But without the legislation in place then irresponsible dog owners will never be 'brought to heel' so to speak!
As the owner of dogs I would be the first to protest at draconion control measures, and my dogs also enjoy off leash exercise. However, you've also got to consider those affected by the irresponsible owners, and in my experience it has included dogs being attacked needing veterinary treatment, a group of mentally handicapped adults being intimidated and frightened by a boisterous dog, a friend of mine being knocked over and hurt by a dog, livestock being worried and in two cases killed, also dogs wandering onto a nearby main road getting killed and risking a major accident.
I feel that we do need the legislation in place in order to tackle these issues, I know of people who won't walk in certain areas because they are so afraid which is a ridiculous situation. The law is supposed to protect society as a whole and if this involves putting a dog on a lead when requested or when obviously it is unwise to have a dog running loose then I think it is only fair that it is enforcable.
If you drive a car on a highway then you have to obey certain laws for the safety of others, and as dogs can be dangerous in the wrong hands then why should dog owners be exempt from behaving responsibly?
I'd be interested to know what other solutions you could suggest for irresponsible dog owners, as they cause a loss of liberty to other people by their actions.
If it came to the point that dog owners were told to keep dogs on a lead at all times in all places then I'd be one of the first to be prosecuted - and I believe that there would be such a public outcry that it wouldn't be possible anyway, but I have no objection to keeping my dogs on a lead when it is sensible to do so.
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DJones
Registered: 09/05/09
Posts: 4
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| #6 |
"If it came to the point that dog owners were told to keep dogs on a lead at all times in all places then I'd be one of the first to be prosecuted - and I believe that there would be such a public outcry that it wouldn't be possible anyway, but I have no objection to keeping my dogs on a lead when it is sensible to do so."
Then why (seemingly) legislate for just that? 
Especially as the bit about having to put your dog on a lead when requested already covers all the issues mentioned above (or doesn't cover it if there is no one around to enforce it - but then those sort of owners aren't going to change whatever the local regulations unless someone is there to make them in the first place).
If blanket legislation does indeed make it technically illegal to have a dog off its lead anywhere within Darlington Borough then it will only be a matter of time before model dog owners are prosecuted for doing nothing but harmlessly playing fetch somewhere perfectly reasonable and bothering no one or innocuously walking with their dog in the countryside that is still part of DB.
It would be nice to have some official clarification of this.
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