I have read with interest, numerous topics of discussions regarding the above and the list of breeds which are currently under review.

I would like to add my thoughts on this matter, since working with dogs every day of my life, I see first hand the trouble that can be caused by ignorant owners.

Firstly I would like to say that ALL breeds should be supervised at ALL times in public places, not just those which are constantly mentioned in earlier posts. Any dog can attack, regardless of size, and ALL can be dangerous.

Jack Russells can be extremely snappy, but they have great characters and I am only using Jacky's as an example because of their size. I have witnessed a Yorkshire Terrier grabbing a German Shepherd by the ear, granted the damage may be minimal but nevertheless an injury did occur, and all because the owner was busy chatting to a friend leaving her dog unsupervised.

Luckily the German shepherd - mine, did not retaliate, but I can just imagine the uproar, had he done so!

I hope and pray, that a law is passed making it illegal to allow your dog off lead in public places. This would certainly protect these much maligned breeds, who are a potential targets from ignorant owners who allow there dogs cart blanch to cause chaos by allowing them off lead.

Yes, Labs and Retrievers seldom have unsound temperaments, but when off lead, they do not understand that leashed dogs are leased for a reason!

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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.

I have to agree with Jenny here - not being able to let mine run and play freely really does sadden me, they come back when called, they dont cause any problems at all - they are let off away from people and other animals - but the few that do let theirs off just anywhere to do just anything angers me - the amount of times I have had to ask people to put their dog on a lead while out walking and mine are on leads but being harrased by another dog ...its not fair at all....and then there are the few strays that have been kicked out of the back door for the day makes my blood boil......but banning all owners and dogs from having free running and play is not the answer....only the responsible will take notice - and its not the responsible that are the problem!

I've got to agree with Jenny & Debbie also, banning dogs from being allowed off the lead in public places will cause more harm than good. Stopping all their natural instincts to explore and sniff can't be healthy and i would expect it to cause more problems with the dogs tempremant, in the same way not socialising your dog can. I deliberatly walk my dog places where either the majority of dogs are off lead or in quiet places where I don't have to worry about keeping an eye out for dogs on leads. However he is good at following recall and stop commands so isn't a nuisance anyway. I generally follow the rule that if another dog is on the lead I will put mine on, but at any other time he's free to roam.

i think all dog should be on leads because if it prevets one child getting attacked its worth it, its just ashame on the dogs and owners who are in control, once again a case on the minorty spoiling it for the majority

I admire your sentiments, however as the majority of attacks happen on private property, it would not help those. I think we would also see an increase, as dogs such as border collies could not have a run, so increasing frustrations, more likely to lead to an increase in bite situations.

i agree most attacks are on private propety but same as i said i would behind keeping all dog on leads if it stopped just ONE child getting hurt, i know in some cases its not the dogs fault and is down to the owner but a child life is much more important.

so what is wrong with having a special licence for type breeds that have killed alot !? Where only pacific breeders could sell only to pacific buyers/owners by law ! The breeders/buyers must meet a pacific criteria by law to obtain the licence to own or buy such a breed ! And would be accountable for what there dog does by law ! this could be backed up by a minimum jail term for any infringement! wouldent that be better than banning the breed and spoiling it for all those responsible owners that love there dogs!

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i agree and i think it should be monitored like a gun licence with an interview and constant monitoring to check they are kept properly and for the correct purpose

But by placing restrictions on certain breeds you are making a statement that all dogs of that breed are dangerous,that is simply wrong and not true.

How could this sort of thing be enforced and policed?

52 breeds world wide are responsible for killing people and children.

It's time for a change in the law that covers ALL breeds,no one breed is anymore dangerous than another,a dog is only as dangerous as it's owner allows it to be.

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