Dog lead rules enforced - what do you think?

http://www.u.tv/News/Dog-lead-rule-enforced-at-Stormont/e9f6d3b7-85e9-4e09-aced-4b09b130ce4f

To be honest, I think they're directing their anger at the wrong people. Blame the owners who allowed their dogs to run riot off lead. Owners have to realise that they're not the only ones who matter - other people have a right to use the estate safely.

Whatever they think, the law's the law. They have to abide by it. If irresponsible people hadn't allowed their dogs to run riot, the law wouldn't have been put in place to start with.

Exactly.

There's always a few people making everyone else's lives difficult.
Here in Mossel Bay dogs are not allowed on beaches but so many people take their dogs as it's so much fun the municipality has now allowed a trial period where certain beaches are open to dogs; with some rules (logical stuff: clean up your dogs mess, keep them on lead, don't let them be a nuisance to other people) and still some idiots just disregard everything and do what they want. Aggressive dogs running loose, dogs bothering sunbathers and marking cooler boxes, poop not being scooped.
It's pure selfishness.

That's the problem, isn't it Theresa, the few making it impossible for the majority!  

What really gets to me is the age old, "I can let my dog off lead because he's friendly!"

No. Just no. It's not about whether or not your dog is friendly; it's about keeping him under control in a public area, which means using a lead. It's about allowing members of the public to enjoy the area without worrying about dogs running all over the place, peeing up their belongings, bouncing over to them and generally just being a nuisance.

You are all so right - it's the selfish few who think rules don't apply to them who spoil it for everybody.

It's also not about your dog being friendly, it's about the dog they're charging up to being friendly.

As always, Lynda.

And yes, it's something that those same selfish people don't take into account. Not every dog likes being jumped all over by other dogs.

Shisa wrote:It's also not about your dog being friendly, it's about the dog they're charging up to being friendly.

How many times have I heard the immortal words "It's ok my dog's friendly" as they run, full pelt towards Dempsey who's putting on a lovely show of impending aggression!  

Too many times!

Tbh having been there many times, it is a good thing. The grounds, although extensive, are not actually that large. There is a very fast very busy main road just out the gates and the road in the gounds is used fairly a lot by tourists, walkers, kids etc. In my opinion there is too much happening to have dogs off lead. Its TOO public.

Good point Hayley - safety has to come into it as well!

Frankly its somewhere i always thought that leads should be mandatory. It's also the gov building! I don't see people walking dogs about westminster lol

TBH every time I see an off lead dog my heart goes into my mouth because I never know whether or not it is going to run over to Buster and Gus who are both DA. While it is a shame for people with the type of dogs who completely ignore other dogs all the time - at least they can find somewhere else that is not a public attraction to walk. I would be quite happy and unconcerned to see an off lead dog if I knew it was under control and not going to approach but unfortunately many dogs are off lead and out of control because the owners are lazy.

Wendy wrote: unfortunately many dogs are off lead and out of control because the owners are lazy.

That's so true!

Lexi is DA but over the last few years has gotten less so, due to age i assume. I used to hate walking her anywhere near other dogs cause i felt so scared of what would happen. Now i am deffo more confidant with her and know shes chilled out more so i enjoy walking more. But other dog owners just don't know how inconsiderate it is and how it makes US feel.. its like letting the dog run up to a kid who has just been attacked by a dog and is terrified..and saying "its okay its friendly"

Doesn't matter if it is friendly!

That's another reason I got the 'space' vest for Dempsey.

Anyway here's a laugh - a few years ago Buster and I were coming back from a walk and got to a path near to some houses. In the distance I could see a black and white rabbit lolloping about on the grass so I stopped and stood still. There was a group of children nearby so I shouted at them 'Is that anybody's rabbit?' A little boy of around 10 said 'Oh, no. It's my Grandma's rabbit - it's got out again!'. So I said 'Ok then, I'll wait here while you catch it.' Then a girl of about 13 shouted 'No! you can just go past it - it's a FRIENDLY rabbit'!   

honestly though some of those bastards are vicious!

   

That made my morning!!

Hayley wrote: honestly though some of those bastards are vicious!

they are indeed! I often wonder why they are promoted as a child's pet, because I personally think they are anything but ideal. My son came home one night with a rabbit he had found hopping around the streets (not a wild one). I mocked up a little enclosure for it in the utility room; made it all cosy with shelter, bedding, food and water. Next day I went to feed it again and change its water and it ran at me - all teeth and claws, there was no getting near it all day or the next without risking life and limb, not even when that limb was giving it food. I'm afraid that I got the RSPCA to take it away   

Wendy wrote:'No! you can just go past it - it's a FRIENDLY rabbit'!   

    

LyndaW wrote:  Next day I went to feed it again and change its water and it ran at me - all teeth and claws, there was no getting near it all day or the next without risking life and limb, not even when that limb was giving it food.  I'm afraid that I got the RSPCA to take it away   

  

Yeah I know Caryll, but what else could I do? He was a really, really vicious bunny

Oh, I don't blame you!

My oh had a huge white rabbit called Ralph. He was already quite old when I first saw him, but even then he used to chase my sister in law's border collie out of the garden! You didn't cross him if you were sensible!