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Could there be stricter rules on dog ownership?

183 replies

Mamalicious16 · 28/10/2025 18:25

Thinking of getting a dog and came across this article? Could there be stricter rules and regulations on dog ownership?
Many, like the RVC, believe there should be. With so many pet dogs in society – a significant proportion of which have poor social and training skills – many feel there needs to be more interventions to emphasise the importance of responsible dog ownership. We are already seeing more restrictions on dogs in public spaces in the UK. Councils are frequently adopting Public Space Protection Orders, to ban dogs from areas such as public parks, beaches and even car parks.
This is largely as a result of too many people allowing their dogs to foul public spaces and creating tension by walking too many dogs at once. Indeed, in many towns and cities – especially in tourist areas, the numbers of people visiting with a dog has become vastly more noticeable.

OP posts:
Dontletthebedbugsbite2 · 28/10/2025 21:19

CoubousAndTourmaIet · 28/10/2025 21:05

That's another one ticked off @YeOldeGreyhound @vodkaredbullgirl - stealing a sandwich from a childs hand.

Did you want me to lie? How can I help that 2 huge poodles knocked her over & took the food from her hand? Like I said the gentleman was very apologetic, the dogs had never done it before and to be fair she was only 2, so not hard to knock over. He said my daughter looked like his grand-daughter & the dogs maybe thought it was her. No harm done, we had a wee laugh about it & moved on. The poster asked me if there had been dogs doing anything wrong & there were. Not everyone in the universe has to love dogs & want them roaming free everywhere. I like dogs, but I still support leads in public places.

Redpeach · 28/10/2025 21:18

Tutorpuzzle · 28/10/2025 21:17

Honestly @YeOldeGreyhound , stop treating your dog like a baby! It’s a dog, it doesn’t get cold. Stick her in the garden with some ice to chew on, it’s what she’d prefer!
I think maybe the change of hour has got to some people…I know this thread was started by a bot of some sort, but there are some truly unhinged comments this time around.

What if a dog is shivering

Tutorpuzzle · 28/10/2025 21:17

Honestly @YeOldeGreyhound , stop treating your dog like a baby! It’s a dog, it doesn’t get cold. Stick her in the garden with some ice to chew on, it’s what she’d prefer!
I think maybe the change of hour has got to some people…I know this thread was started by a bot of some sort, but there are some truly unhinged comments this time around.

21ZIGGY · 28/10/2025 21:16

There could be tighter rules but who will police it? People need to be more responsible in general with their dogs, both in terms of cleaning up after them, managing them and training them. I say that as a dog owner.

CoffeeLipstickKeys · 28/10/2025 21:14

YeOldeGreyhound · 28/10/2025 21:10

How does it do them a disservice?
How is putting a cosy jumper on my elderly greyhound doing her a diservice?

Keep up. You said what’s so bad treating dog like a human
i answered, duh, they are different .

lollypop42 · 28/10/2025 21:11

CoffeeLipstickKeys · 28/10/2025 18:34

Essentially ,there has been a significant increase in anthropomorphism
Adults waffling about their fur babies. Describing self as parent to a fucking dog
Adults codependent upon dogs and creating an emotional mess were adults are over enmeshed with dogs
They take their slobbery flea hounds to cafe, coffee shop and just expect everyone to suck it up and be effusive as they are

yes @CoffeeLipstickKeys 👍

YeOldeGreyhound · 28/10/2025 21:10

CoffeeLipstickKeys · 28/10/2025 21:08

you need this explained? Dogs are not human. They have different genes,judgements, behaviour,emotion,learning capacity. Treating a dog like a human is doing the dog (and the human) a disservice because they’re fundamentally different.

How does it do them a disservice?
How is putting a cosy jumper on my elderly greyhound doing her a diservice?

CoffeeLipstickKeys · 28/10/2025 21:08

YeOldeGreyhound · 28/10/2025 20:56

If treating a dog well is treating them like a human, then what are we doing wrong?

you need this explained? Dogs are not human. They have different genes,judgements, behaviour,emotion,learning capacity. Treating a dog like a human is doing the dog (and the human) a disservice because they’re fundamentally different.

CoubousAndTourmaIet · 28/10/2025 21:05

That's another one ticked off @YeOldeGreyhound @vodkaredbullgirl - stealing a sandwich from a childs hand.

Dontletthebedbugsbite2 · 28/10/2025 21:03

YeOldeGreyhound · 28/10/2025 20:58

Are they doing anything wrong?

You seem determined to paint me as a dog hater here - you said you've never seen it, I said I have. I clearly wrote in my post I'm glad they enjoy it. But yes as with any species when there are lots of them, obviously a few don't behave well. 2 poodles ran into my child & knocked her over, stealing a sandwich from her hand.. many of them have terrible recall & can't be called back to their owners. Not 'bad' dogs at all & really no harm done. The owner was very apologetic & said they had never done it before which was fine. My daughter loves dogs & was fine but it's not ideal is it? I support dogs being on leads in public places.

SouthernNights59 · 28/10/2025 21:03

CoffeeLipstickKeys · 28/10/2025 19:13

I have no pearls, however your dog has a jumper. Oh dear

That poster is correct, greyhounds do need covers of some sort. How does it actually affect you if a dog, any dog, is wearing a jumper or coat?

YeOldeGreyhound · 28/10/2025 21:01

Dontletthebedbugsbite2 · 28/10/2025 21:00

Sorry, what I mean by this is not allowing natural dog behaviour or recognising signs the dog is unhappy. Basically putting human emotion on to a pet - who thinks, feels & behaves very differently. Its nice for me, a human, to be in a cafe having my lunch & then in the car for a nice drive. For a collie who wants to be out chasing sheep it may be less enjoyable.

Ah I get you now.
My dog is a lazy greyhound. Loves a walk and a snooze in the local cafe where I have a bit of cake and sneak her some too. She also gets fuss from the cafe owner and treats. This place is very dog friendly.

seaelephant · 28/10/2025 21:01

As an owner of a little dog who travels everywhere with me - including trains, buses, cafes, restaurants and shops - nah, I'm quite happy how it is

Dontletthebedbugsbite2 · 28/10/2025 21:00

YeOldeGreyhound · 28/10/2025 20:56

If treating a dog well is treating them like a human, then what are we doing wrong?

Sorry, what I mean by this is not allowing natural dog behaviour or recognising signs the dog is unhappy. Basically putting human emotion on to a pet - who thinks, feels & behaves very differently. Its nice for me, a human, to be in a cafe having my lunch & then in the car for a nice drive. For a collie who wants to be out chasing sheep it may be less enjoyable.

vodkaredbullgirl · 28/10/2025 20:59

OonaStubbs · 28/10/2025 20:58

Maybe a tax on dog food, dog treats and dog leads and coats etc would be an answer?

I could do with some bog paper 😆

YeOldeGreyhound · 28/10/2025 20:58

OonaStubbs · 28/10/2025 20:58

Maybe a tax on dog food, dog treats and dog leads and coats etc would be an answer?

It is called VAT and already on it.

OonaStubbs · 28/10/2025 20:58

Maybe a tax on dog food, dog treats and dog leads and coats etc would be an answer?

YeOldeGreyhound · 28/10/2025 20:58

Dontletthebedbugsbite2 · 28/10/2025 20:57

I have. My local park is full of dogs running wild. It's a beautiful park & I'm glad the dogs are enjoying it but it's just dogs everywhere you look.. the cafe, garden centre, playing fields, pond. Dogs everywhere.

Are they doing anything wrong?

Dontletthebedbugsbite2 · 28/10/2025 20:57

YeOldeGreyhound · 28/10/2025 20:44

I have never seen anywhere, ever, overrun by dogs.
The only people who say that hate dogs, and even one dog in their sight is classed as too many.

I have. My local park is full of dogs running wild. It's a beautiful park & I'm glad the dogs are enjoying it but it's just dogs everywhere you look.. the cafe, garden centre, playing fields, pond. Dogs everywhere.

YeOldeGreyhound · 28/10/2025 20:56

Dontletthebedbugsbite2 · 28/10/2025 20:54

I think most people want to treat their pets well & don't realise the damage they do by treating them lile humans. I like dogs that I know, but I'm not a 'dog lover'. I would really like for all dogs to be on a lead in public. I sometimes have to walk my elderly neighbours dog for her if the weather is bad & she's a little shih tzu who is a bit barky & reactive and it honestly scares me when random dogs run up to us. She is always on a lead & I could pick her up but if all dogs were kept on leads so many incidents could be avoided.

If treating a dog well is treating them like a human, then what are we doing wrong?

CoubousAndTourmaIet · 28/10/2025 20:55

Gruffporcupine · 28/10/2025 20:27

Just responding to the post. There really is no need to take it so personally.

Yes. It's better for dogs to live with people who have the money and land to look after one properly, being honest. It's also better for the public to have less dogs to contend with and have to pay for through e.g. council taxes. The farm life would be the ideal life for a dog, not living in a 3 bed semi going to the local park. Sorry but it's true and always baffled me that people who claim to love dogs can't see it

Money and land doesn't come into it. Those are not the things that make a good owner. What makes a good owner is commitment, and whether you live in a castle or a 3 bedroomed semi is irrelevant. As for the farm life being ideal, no, not always. I grew up in a farming community and saw many dogs that were not treated with any respect, that were tied up and half starved. Where I live now is semi rural and dogs here are treated far better. A lot are active breeds with outdoorsy owners who put their time and energy into keeping their dogs well exercised and happy, but most of them - including us and our giant - live in average houses with average gardens.

k1233 · 28/10/2025 20:54

SeaAndStars · 28/10/2025 20:49

I've just looked at the examples in that wiki link and they are standard turn of phrase and have been for decades. I wouldn't rely on them to identify AI.

Dontletthebedbugsbite2 · 28/10/2025 20:54

I think most people want to treat their pets well & don't realise the damage they do by treating them lile humans. I like dogs that I know, but I'm not a 'dog lover'. I would really like for all dogs to be on a lead in public. I sometimes have to walk my elderly neighbours dog for her if the weather is bad & she's a little shih tzu who is a bit barky & reactive and it honestly scares me when random dogs run up to us. She is always on a lead & I could pick her up but if all dogs were kept on leads so many incidents could be avoided.

Tutorpuzzle · 28/10/2025 20:52

CoffeeLipstickKeys · 28/10/2025 20:45

Of course. A true credit to you. All the tutoring,the heart to heart,the sleepless nights

Are you ok?