Why do I own a dog? As a believer in 'all things great and small' I have both the time and the means to take care of one - and where someone was irresponsible enough to leave a lovely, gentle, obedient older dog to wander the street, I can provide her with a better life than that. It's my way of giving something back (although not the only way, I do nice things for humans, too). Do I compare it with a child? No - I don't have the time or the means for one of those! Do I feel entitled to let my dog walk off of her lead? No - I feel that's a right she and I must earn, by being respectful of the fact that not everyone likes dogs nor wants to interact with my dog. She, especially, must earn it by obeying me and my commands, and until she could do that, she had to stay on her lead. If we're somewhere particularly crowded or distracting for her, she stays on the lead. For the most part, though, we walk away from other people with my dog off lead and within verbal command. I'd like to keep it that way. Is a blanket ban by Southwark appropriate? No - a majority of the dog owners/dogs would be penalised for the actions of a few careless owners, who do exist. Current laws on use of leads are ineffective and unenforced. A better solution needs to be found to address Southwark's concerns, including better monitoring of the parks and open spaces for any kind of anti-social behaviour. Please sign the petition so that a proper discussion can take place on the best way to deal with the issue at hand.
