Dogs may need to "run free" but I myself would 1, not be comfortable with my rottie running free - due to the fact he'd probably scare people "Dangerous dog line" as he's so big (he's still a pup @ 2, but a rottie and the stories exceed everything) and 2, some dogs don't respond when you shout them!! and I've seen that as well - - As I said my dog is always on a lead.... that way if or other animal comes towards him, they do that at THERE owners risk and I would not be footing no vet bill.

Lost Bird I am sure your rottie is fine on lead at all times but I have 3 terriers who would never in a million years get the exercise they need to stay healthy on lead . I for one would oppose this law .

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I am against the use of football fields totally but as for parks we have pensioners around me who use the parks for their dogs. They cannot walk down the river as I can and so throwing a ball in the park is the only way their dogs get a good run.There needs to be compromise a set area for dogs the parks are big enough to to be used by all....well our's are.

By the way my yorkies have more energy than the beddy and are really rough and tough little things not lap dogs

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If you go here: KC Dog success in Isle of Wight - The Kennel Club on the Kennel Club website they have a group called KC Dog' that lets people in dogs know of such restrictions being proposed so people in the areas can raise objections. The Consultation notices are usually posted in local papers and often people don't read them until too late.

They also post the details of the councils consulting to the weekly Dog Papers (Our Dogs and Dog World).

As someone who works constantly with dogs, I honestly believe that any law which prevents irresponsible people, from allowing their dogs to roam free in public places, is long overdue.

Not all dogs are friendly, which is why responsible owners keep them on a flexi lead, offering them complete control. When another dog comes bounding over it can and does cause chaos, usually ending in tears.

The best trained dog in the world can be distracted, i.e car backfiring, bitch on heat, etc etc. Dogs can take flight into the path of a car, and cause complete mayhem, which is why I applaud this law.

My German Shepherd was attacked when he was very young, by another GSD which was off lead. As a consequence my dog was extremely fearful towards other dogs, and was only allowed off lead in the countryside.

I have had two dogs attacked whilst in my care. Both were leashed and extremely sensitive dogs, that were attacked by a lose dog. They did not respond to their owners recall, and the psychological damage was worse than the actual injury.

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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.

Jenny whilst I totally agree with your comments regarding sensible control, sadly you are in the minority.

Believe me, both myself and sitters see this every day of the week, where people allow their dogs off lead with absolutely no regard to other dogs, children or people.

Having a dog attacked that off lead is bad enough, but when your dog is leashed and suffers a totally unprovoked attack, it is devastating.

We seem to live in a society that has little or no regard for anyone else and that is the sad truth.

We allowed our dog off lead only when we were on country walks and nowhere near people or other dogs. Is was protection for him as much as anything else, since German Shepherds, Rottis, and most other guarding breeds are constantly hit by bad press.

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Maybe i'm just lucky, the most popular place near us for walking dogs is a race course, where at any time of day or night you will find dogs being exercised. There is rarely any trouble. I agree that dogs showing aggressive behaviour to people or other dogs should never be off lead in a public area, neither should dogs with unreliable recalls. We always stress to new dog owners attending classes, their dog is their responsibility, and must never be allowed to spoil others enjoyment. I've been to the beach this morning, it was quite busy, lots of dogs enjoying the company of their families, both human and canine, dogs chasing in and out of the sea, catching balls and enjoying life. our dogs didn't bother anyone else and no-ones dogs bothered us. we have already lost so many of the simple pleasures in life, I would hate to think we may loose another.

I think there should only be restrictions in actual children's play areas or ornamental gardens, and near traffic of course.

Free running areas should be available and owners expected to take responsibility. those whose dogs cause problems due to aggression should be fined and banned, as should those who do not pick up after their dogs.

With my breed I cannot let them off in soem plces others easily coudl as they naturally range ahead more (hunting breed) so I only let off lead in the country parks or fenced areas.

When I just had two and there were no recycling boxes I was able to let them off in my local recreation ground, but scavenging is as problem with mine now. in our local rec as it is easy for them to go through a hedge and raid the food waste bins or cans and jars in the black recycling boxes.

so mine get the amount of free reign where they can be safely and reliably controlled.

When I want to keep my dogs on the lead I do not walk them where other dogs are allowed off lead.

To be honest I would consider it cruel to take them to the Park and keep them on lead the whole time, a bit like giving a child a lolly to lick with the wrapper still on.

We go road walking when I want them on lead under close control.

Any one of them in training or with lousy recall would be on a flexi or long line in the Park so they can interact with other dogs in a natural manner, as that is one of the main reasons for taking them there to socialise with their own kind and other like minded owners, and strectch their legs, preferably off lead so they have the opportunity to really stretch out and gallop.

Meet plenty of sedate and well mannered Rotties off lead in my local country park. People whose dogs are not good with other dogs simply do not bring them there as they will encounter a loose dog every few yards.