Re: The down side of the new Dangerous Dogs Act that might affect any dog owner I must say this worries me as an owner who has been official reported for having annoyance barking in the flat, no attempt to understand we had a death so the remaining dog was unhappy and then a new puppy who wasn't at first keen on the hour she had to be left while our work shifts over lapped. When I spoke to all my neighbours it was one family who have no experience of dogs who were complaining everyone else understood. They get into drug fuelled states and the few minutes of barking seems to them to go on for hours at a time. But the council don't take any of that into consideration. We also found the woman banging on our door to upset the dogs when we returned one day unexpectedly. But again that's fine according to the dog warden. Yes worrying is what I say.
Re: The down side of the new Dangerous Dogs Act that might affect any dog owner Articles like this do make me wonder... I looked up the new Act, and compared the definitions to the previous one, and couldn't see that there were any differences (there are big additions like the extension to private property and so on). So as far as I can see, the law governing your responsibilities about how your dog behaves in the park, is now as it has always been.
Re: The down side of the new Dangerous Dogs Act that might affect any dog owner As things are getting stricter and stricter I am beginning to worry about taking Penny out and about. How long before you can get into trouble for having a reactive dog - even if it's perfecy under control (as Penny always is) you can't always stop the dog from being triggered into a reaction, especially if it's the fault of careless dog owners who won't recall their dogs away from yours? How long before I will have to muzzle Penny just because she barks at things that frighten her?
Re: The down side of the new Dangerous Dogs Act that might affect any dog owner I don't think, legally, things are getting stricter. Attitudes are hardening though. Lauren, I think this discussion has been had before - although always interesting, of course. If a dog might seriously bite to injure (rather than nip or "have words" ) a dog that runs up - which is a routine, day to day thing - I think that dog should be muzzled. It's not such a big deal, it's almost expected in London than sight hounds are muzzeled for example. And everyone is more relaxed.
