first mate

Huguenot said: "BTW - I do want to point out that he has not been convicted of being a paedophile: watching child porn doesn't make you a paedophile any more than watching CSI makes you a murderer. Obsession can be a little further down that line, but that would make the average teenager playing Medal of Honour for 20 hours a week a psychotic". That is a clever argument and though you might be technically correct in terms of law I would submit that those who obsessively look at child porn are more likely to be paedophiles or to have some kind of paedophile impulses- what other reason would make you want to look at it over and over again? Additionally CSI is fiction, ditto Medal of Honour. Child porn is real life, the children being exploited and abused are real. The definition of a paedophile is that one is sexually attracted to children- it is not necessary to act on those impulses for the definition to be relevant.The interest in chid sex can co-exist with an interest in adult sex. Aside from detective/enforcement work or academic research, what would be the point of looking at child pornography, downloading and keeping it?

It is man who has created the environment in which these urban foxes thrive- with fewer feeding opportunities they would not breed and thrive so easily and the need for food would force them to compete for and protect much larger ranges. There is no need for this as the city is replete with waste and litter- all those discarded bones, overflowing bins, waste outside and at the backs of shops. Foxes have never had it so good or so easy. The new, bolder fox is simply filling an evolutionary niche, courtesy homo sapien. No cull will ever get rid of foxes, not unless we stop providing the food and that won't happen because humans are just, well too self centered. Culling would have to be done every year. I wonder what method would be used in the inner city? Poison...way too cruel and dangerous for other animals, including pets. Traps? Ditto. Shooting, too dangerous. Darting and then euthansia- think of the expense. Please god don't let some bright spark think of introducing a fatal disease like a fox version of miximatosis(sp). The only real solution is for humans to manage their litter properly, oh and not feed wildlife- it's a win, win approach surely.

Until the results of this application are published. The decision was meant to be made more qickly this time (at the request of the applicant). That's why everyone had to get their responses in just after xmas.

There's that recently reported human excrement too.

If it's to be raised it should address all litter- food litter is a nuisance and a health hazard, broken glass is dangerous and there is far too much of that around. Loads of spat out chewing gum too.

Lead strugglers probably need a little correction. Ahem!! Anyway, back on thread, I don't think that a dog license will cure all the problems of poor dog ownership but it is a start. Microchipping is also useful but all these things fall down where enforcement is necessary. There are simply not the personnel or resources to monitor those that break existing laws and Orders, let alone new ones. Southwark no longer have a proper dog warden, it's all managed by environmental officers who have little specialist knowledge or training. A number of the community wardens I have met in the park are absolutely terrified of dogs and don't want to go anywhere near them. Southwark will not help to provide premises or space in the park for dog training- something which could be offered at near zero cost to the borough and which would help to educate more people about repsonsible doig ownership. This is something that is done on many parts of the continent very successfully.

Perhaps a sporran, or even trews? (BTW ooooh, you are awful...)

Lowlander, Arf, arf, you are a wit. On the subject of brains/IQ, and continuing the theme of your moniker, do you keep yours below the belt?

And to other serial litter fiends.

Yes, it is disgraceful not to pick up dog poo and there should be fines, no excuse for it. In similar vein, I do wish people would stop scattering the pavements with broken glass which I happen across daily as well as wretched cooked chicken bones, chewing gum and chocolate. Many a dog ends up in the vet having ingested all three, why people/children have to throw this stuff around I don't know, there are plenty of bins. The glass is hazardous to people, children and animals - it must be the product of a similar mentality to those that litter with dog poo- anti social.

Alec John Moore, I'd politely beg to differ with that dog trainer- biological washing powder will not completely remove the smell. Saila, If this has been witnessed it is truly revolting. Sounds like someone with a mental health problem.

Bowl of hot water and domestos will sterilize but not remove smell- so animals will return and overmark, whether foxes or dogs. Remove smell by finishing off with surgical spirit which removes smell (we cannot smell it but animals can).

More than likely foxes marking territory. Is it much worse at the moment- if so definitely foxes.

If they have interfered with the structure of the party wall without first informing you in writing then I think they are in breach of the law (party wall). I'd look on the planning portal for advice, I've a feeling you might need to enagage a party wall surveyor with a view to them having to pay for them. They are definitely in breach of the law, but you need to get the next step right and I think the planning portal will have the best advice.http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/permission/responsibilities/beforeyoustart/otherpermissions/partywall

Loft conversions on old terraces can have a massive impact on your neighbour's light. Most people get a loft conversion for the extra room and the lovely light, airy feel. It seems slightly ironic that in gaining your light space you may be taking from your neighbours.

You need to slowly get your son to be comfortable around the pup and to go at his own pace. The best way of doing this is to actually keep them separated other than when you can totally control and supervise. This also helps protect the pup who will pick up on your son's anxiety. I would strongly recommend a puppy pen, which means your son and the puppy have the opportunity to slowly get used to each other. If you would prefer to have one room where only puppy goes then use a baby gate. When pup has some free play- which he obviously will need- then do this in a room spearate from your son. However, you can and should involve your son in any puppy training, like the early stages of lead training and so on, in that he can watch at a distance and the puppy will be focussed on yout the trainer and not your son. Don't let the pup jump on your son. If you take the pressure off your son will have the time and distance to acclimatise and with luck will get to the stage that he actively wants to be involved. I wouldn't make a big deal of it but let your son view access to the pup as a privilege not a given and try not to force a relationship. I can't help but think about the pup who is at a critical stage in his development and who also needs a lot of care and attention. He needs to be protected from any anxious outbursts your son might have as this could have a long lasting impact on his feelings about children and how 'safe' they are. This is another reason to keep them apart other than for very short, sweet interactions, preferably when something controlled is happening and where the pup will not try to engage with your son. Once your pup has had both vaccinations I would thoroughly recommend you sign up for a good training class that uses kind methods. It might be possible for your son to attend this. It would have to be explained to the class that your son is a bit dog phobic and to your son that since all the dogs are on a lead they cannot get close to him. This might work or might be a bridge too far- dependin on how anxious your son is. AS for your son's feelings, I wonder if he has been knocked by a friendly dog and got a fright or witnessed another child getting upset about a dog. I have to say that anxiety around dogs seems to be much more common amongst children than it was when I was a youngster. I am not sure why, but possibly if a child witnesses another child becomng very anxious around a dog it might have some kind of domino effect.

Disgusting behaviour and yes, cat poo is also a pain but these are the things we can see and recognise. Fox poo/urine, rat poo/urine, mouse poo/urine, squirrels, birds, snails, slugs...all carry potentially harmful, even lethal pathogens, and as for the things you can catch off other humans who touch stuff that is all around having failed to wash their hands, after urination/pooing/sneezing/coughing......

I think this is a difficult one as it is about a balance of freedoms. People who are severely dog-phobic will almost certainly encounter dogs in the park, but they might also encounter them on the streets too. It is not reasonable to ban dogs from parks and streets since this would impinge on the freedom of the dog owner and affect the wellbeing of the dogs. However, I think it is reasonable to have clearly marked areas of the park where dogs are kept on a lead and it should be mandatory to keep dogs on a lead on public streets etc.. Is it unreasonable to suggest a severely dog phobic person should therefore avoid areas of the park where dogs are allowed to free run offlead? I think overall the only realistic option for the severely dog phobic person is to seek treatment for their phobia and perhaps avoid areas where it is known dogs free run. I cannot see a practical alternative.

The only thing that bothers me about those sonic devices is the potential impact on other animals, both wild as well as pets.

Short of calling in pest control, I don't think there is. The noises can be disturbing when you are not quite sure what is going on and especially if you think it mght be a neighbour that is not monitoring/looking after a dog, but this is wildlife and they are just doing what foxes do. Now you know this you may find it easier to filter the noise out. I hope so. When I first heard these noises I thought something was being killed and eaten alive but now I know it's to do with mating, territory, looking after cubs, it doesn't bother me. In some ways it is nice to have some connection with the natural world in the city. Would good earplugs help?

If the noise sounds like any of these then its foxes.

I wish there was a section for truly valuable threads. I too salute those who have come on here with their personal stories. Enormous respect for you all. I imagine that PaulK is wishing the ground would open up and swallow him- a classic case of forum mouth before brainitis.

Sometimes EDF does feel a bit like a virtual House of Commons with its own little set of self-styled big beasts (or even BSD's). All good old testosterone loaded 'banter' and the inevitable riposte that if you can't stand the heat get out of the kitchen. I do think that most see it for what it is. Just yawn and close your eyes if it gets too much- its only big boys playground stuff after all. Sometimes it can also be quite amusing. Other times it's well.... awfully predictable.

The issue is not M&S, it is the size and ambition of the application and how well it fits with the available space/location.

*Bob* Well said.