I think it would be very sad if dogs were not allowed to be exercised off lead. Where I live there are a small minority of people who have no control over their dogs, but most people have reasonable control. The problem with walking dogs on a flexi-lead is it very much limits the areas you can take your dogs. The woods are very popular, dogs love them, it brings all their senses alive, but impossble on a flexi-lead. Tomorrow we are going to the beach, the dogs will be in and out of the sea. My dogs are very well trained and recall when told no matter the distraction. Lots of people who compete train in public dog walking areas, sometimes I will be working my dog at considerable distance, but she will always be under control. Other dogs do run up to my dog when she is working, she ignores them and carries on working.