Your news
Have you got a story to tell? Do you have pictures or video clips to share? Get in touch »
Take a lead on dog laws
1:06pm Friday 27th June 2008
Dangerous dogs are clearly out of control.
We have had dogs attacking dogs, destroying trees, mauling children, and now the tragic story of 66-year-old Michael Harrington, for whom the shock of seeing his docile pet attacked was just too much (Man dies after pet is mauled by bull terrier', Times Series, June 19).
Something clearly needs to be done, but unbelievably Barnet Council is still refusing to impose dog control zones in parks.
A control zone gives council officers many more powers to stop dangerous dog owners. Andrew Dismore has repeatedly called on Barnet to impose such a zone, but typically the council would rather ignore a problem than admit that using powers the Government has given it is a good idea.
Last time I wrote to the Times Series on this issue, I asked whether it would take somebody dying for the council to take action - it would seem even that is not enough for the callous crew we have leading the council.
Elizabeth Fitzgerald
West Hendon
Your Say Your Times
Daniel, Barnet says...
7:48pm Fri 27 Jun 08
How many people do you see in the park being taken for a walk by their dog? Dog out in front, lead taut pulling the owner along, that is a tell tale sign of who is in control.
The number of times I have observed owners of small aggressive dogs shreaking and howling when their dog gets embroiled in another row with another dog is horrifying.
Dogs are animals, not humans and people should remember that.
Learning how to deal with such situations correctly is not an optional extra when you take your dog out in public. It is dangerous, ignorant and careless owners of dogs of any breed that are the real hazard.
Zones, fines and the clunking fist of bureacracy won't make any difference. Maybe it is time for proper dog owner licencing with compulsory education and testing to be brought in, so that those who take their dogs in public are competent.
RG PetComm, San Diego says...
10:37am Sat 28 Jun 08
* Dont make direct hard eye contact. Body language counts
* Turn sideways, giving a calming signal. DO NOT RUN.
* Keep your arms and hands down and tight by your side
The following defensive tools may work on some dogs:
* Air horn
* Where legal, pepper spray
* Direct Stop is a Citronella spray (available at PetSmart and PetCo
* Defendabrella - a small tote umbrella to suddenly pop open to scare the dog
* Having a sacraficial garment (old shirt, sweater) around your waist to offer up to the dog instead of you.
* Always carry your cell phone and call for help if you can.
<A href="http://www.rgp
etcomm.com">Good Dog !!</A>
Your sayYour Times
Add your comment
Register for a FREE Times Series account and you can have your say on today's news and sport by adding comments on articles we publish. The best comments may even get published in the paper.
Please register now or sign in below to continue.
In this section
- Travellers outstay welcome
- No charges for TV divorce lawyer
- Community punishment for pistol man
- Nudging residents in the right direction
- Achike hits back at Coleman ‘tainted with blood’ remark
- The scraps heap challenge
- Government backs controversial hospital plans
- Gang does time for theft of £750k-worth of watches
- Controversial cancer prevention aimed at schoolgirls
- Traders angered by street sign fee
Essential links
Sponsored Links
Editor's Choice
The scraps heap challenge
Tackling food waste has become the latest battleground in the war against landfill and carbon emissions. TOMASZ JOHNSON asks whether the fight is being won in Barnet
Achike hits back at Coleman ‘tainted with blood’ remark
A Barnet Olympian has defended Team GB after the London Assembly member for Barnet and Camden branded Britain’s Olympic medal winners as “tainted with blood” last week. Brian Coleman, who is also a Barnet councillor, used a newspaper column to criticise Britain’s athletes for taking part in the Beijing Olympics while the Chinese government stands accused of human rights abuses.
The flowers smell good at horticultural show
Hampstead Garden Suburb Horticultural Society's flower show this weekend will provide a taste of countryside living in London.
Barnet keeper's luck runs out
Winless Barnet have not had much luck this season, and keeper Ran Kadoch can no longer turn to one of his lucky charms.
Davis bidding for Olympic glory
Barnet fencer James Davis underlined his London 2012 credentials by cruising to gold at the UK School Games.
What's On Live Travel Your Times
Hot Jobs
- Operations Manager Enfield
- Full and Part-time courses Enfield
- Admissions Officer Mill Hill
- Weekend Kitchen Assistant Barnet
- Care Workers North Finchley
- Accounts Administrator/PA Enfield
E-EDITIONS
Local Information
Enter your postcode, town or place name
Homes
- 2 bedroom Flat/apartment, Hendon, £220,000, Jayson Russell Estates Agents
- 2 bedroom Flat/apartment, Hendon, £219,950, Talbots - London
- 5 bedroom House - terraced, London, £1,350,000, Douglas Martin
- 5 bedroom House - semi-detached, Golders Green, £575,000, Hendon Estates
- 2 bedroom Flat/apartment, LONDON, £239,950, Winkworth
- 2 bedroom Flat/apartment, Church Road, £235,000, Philip Phillips Estate Agents
Simon, London says...
2:45pm Fri 27 Jun 08