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Dogs bring happiness and companionship to so many
• IN response to the letter from Caroline Yates of the Mayhew Animal Home (Dogs (and their owners) have a right to enjoy an off-lead walk, March 15), I would like to commend her suggestion that Camden Council should appoint an animal welfare officer.
In 2007, there are many people who are ignorant about dogs in a way that was not so in the past. My most child-loving of dogs is often reacted to with panic by many children and by people who were not brought up to appreciate the “good health” and happiness that dogs have traditionally brought to those who have dogs as companions.
But dogs are not toys, they are individuals with feelings.
They dislike being tied-up for hours on end outside a playground (while their families have fun).
For most of my life, dogs were accepted as part of our society, just as they are today in France. There were no dog bans in shops, pubs, restaurants or anywhere else except hospitals.
Our grandparents defended this country from our enemies during two world wars – the July 7 in 2005, was a tiny glimpse of what the blitz was like. They fought for freedom. Since all our history, British people have had the basic simple freedom to keep dogs.
MEG MATTINSON
Fortis Green, N2
• COUNCILLOR Keith Moffitt in his letter last week made two comments which cannot pass without reply.
He stated that “there were more than 80 incidents involving out of control dogs in Camden-run parks alone in 2006”.
What were these incidents, were they investigated or just logged after being called in? A figure was quoted last week of 22,000 dogs in Camden – it really does seem extreme to punish 22,000 dogs for the possible wrong doings of 80.
Secondly Cllr Moffitt states: “If we introduce these powers we would propose using them in a proportionate way.” This is obviously rubbish, if you introduce an order banning dogs from being off-lead in any open space in Camden (which is what the document says) you cannot pick and choose which person, dog or street you enforce it on.
That would be the same as having parking controls and telling wardens to be proportionate.
The current by-laws are quite adequate and the only failing is that Camden has cut all the staff that would, sensibly, have enforced them – park keepers.
J L CULLEN
Broxwood Way, NW8
• DOGS have been the companion of man for thousands of years. It would be a sad society and much would be lost from childhood if everyone thought like Camden Council and I pray the council can be persuaded to amend its dog-control proposals.
The working dogs cover a wide spectrum. They help the farmer in his work. They enable the blind to lead more independent lives.
They even learn a kind of sign language in order to communicate with their deaf companions. They play a vital part in the fight against crime, including drugs and terrorism.
The saddest dogs, of course, are those who are shamelessly used in the name of research, even though events have shown time and time again that a drug safely used on animals cannot necessarily be used in safety on humans.
Dogs play an important role in the family home. They have been known to save the lives of whole families by giving early warning of fire.
I feel very sad that Camden Council feels it necessary to drum up feelings against dogs and their owners by curtailing their exercise areas – never to know the love and companionship of a dog, is to miss one of life’s many blessings.
MARGARET REDGRAVE
Hilldrop Crescent, N7
• I CANNOT believe that any reasonable council will really attempt to ban dogs – for that is what a ban on off-lead exercise would effectively mean.
Dogs have been our companions throughout history. We have used them in wars, to aid the blind, the deaf and the disabled. We use them for medical experiments, to sniff out drugs and help the police keep order. They provide love and joy to many, young and old.
To deprive them all of a right to enjoy a free, supervised run would be a monstrous abuse of power.
There are already laws to deal with problem dogs and irresponsible owners.
We can’t go round banning things just because a minority are fearful. We have to learn that we share this planet with other creatures, who are just as deserving of enjoying it.
MARIE SCOTT
Beacon Hill, N7
• DO we have a dangerous dogs problem in Camden? I haven’t seen any hard evidence for this. And apparently most of us are unaware that the borough is swarming with rabid pit bull terriers intent on murder and mayhem.
I believe we are meant to swallow this cynical and imaginative story based on some deeply questionable intelligence gathering.
I do not think many of us doubt there is a sub-culture of aggressive and insecure dog owners around on many of the housing estates, but they are a tiny minority – I hardly ever see them when I walk my dog in Primrose Hill, Regent’s Park or the Heath.
Our friendly neighbourhood Tory councillor, in the name of protecting the innocent, has unfurled his banner, knowing very well that hysteria and not common sense will prevail. And some pretty heavy-handed amateur policing will follow in its wake.
Meanwhile, on the housing estates and back alleys, nothing much will change. I ask everyone, dog owner or not, to oppose this legislation.
TARQUIN KYLE
Oppidans Rd, NW3
• AS a resident of the Primrose Hill area for more than 40 years I would like to put my point of view regarding the curtailment of dog activities in public places.
The truth is that the Hill area has become by and large a dog lavatory. Taking a walk there entails stepping carefully to avoid dog faeces and being on guard against aggressive animals roaming free.
Why is it that dog owners like smokers seem to think they have a divine right to indulge their activities regardless of other people nearby?
Smoking, quite rightly, is soon to be banned in public buildings. Now is the time for loose dogs to be banned from public open spaces.
Name and address supplied
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