And i hope there is never a law which prevents dogs off lead in public places, why should all dogs and owners suffer for the ignorance and laziness of the few. I agree with Nina as I have done on other occasions some people do allow their dogs to run wild in public areas, so ban them, not the well behaved ones who return when called and cause no hassle to anyone. One of my greatest pleasures of owning dogs, besides training and competing with them, is watching them run and sniff, go in and out of the water, generally just being a dog in its natural environment, a dog imprisioned on its lead for the rest of its life, the thought fills me with dread.