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Dogs off leads and walking
Hello, re the previous e-mails & various opinions about dogs being off the lead in open countryside - those who have never owned a problem dog are unlikely to understand fully when they think they have a right to let their dogs run about uncontrolled up to other people.

I have a rescued border collie who does not like other dogs. I keep him on a lead I can reel in at all times.

It is very stressful out walking when countless owners of mostly large dogs let their dogs run up to mine - even after I shout a warning to keep their dog away, they seem unable to command control of their dog.

Which means when my dog snarls and snaps towards the other dog, quite often the other dog then leaps in to attack back- this is very dangerous for me holding the lead.

I have in the past muzzled my dog, but all that happened then when other dogs come running up, and he leaps towards them, he gets bitten and cant defend himself.

I have been quite nervous when very large dogs that the owners say 'dont worry he's friendly' come over.

Any dog may not be friendly to another aggressive dog. I now carry a walking pole I am so sick of this, any dog that causes problems will get a taste of the pole (or maybe that should be the owner?).

Dog owners need to be aware of the law if a dog is 'at large' off the lead anywhere and causes injury to one on the lead or a person, the owner of the roaming dog is breaking the law.

Unfortunately it would not be easy to find out who they were or to prove it and some of these owners can be quite aggressive themselves after some of these incidents.

If you let your dog off the lead, it should be trained very highly to obey the owner, if not then should be on a lead.