to think that all dogs should be fitted with colostomy bags?

[rolandweary]

that way nobody would have an excuse to leave piles of toxic, disgusting dog filth on public streets, beaches and parks

I also like the "dog DNA database" idea

Maybe you would, but it's not going to happen so dream on!

not this week, no. but it's not beyond the realms of possibility in the future - stranger ( and much less sensible) things have happened

Can I borrow your crystal ball? It's lottery night tomorrow

Ah okay then. So who is going to police this? I would get two liscences. 1 for each dog. Both very young dogs. Both likely to live for another 10 years or more. What's to say I am not just going to go and get another (illegally and possibly dangerously bred) dog once they pass away?

There would have to be people employed to patrol checking liscences, which would cost money. Of which this country has none. Or do you think the already stretched police force would have the time and resources for this?

These patrols would be needed for a minimum of 20 years accounting for long life puppies.

of course you could buy an illegal dog, just as now you can buy illegal drugs, or guns, or bootleg movies or whatever. That's not an argument for keeping something legal when on balance it is harmful and a social menace.

Yes I would expect it to be policed properly and funded centrally - that's just a question of prioritising policy. You may think there is no money for it, but IMO billions gets pissed away on "defence"/other money-wasting exercises. If the social and political will were there, the cost wouldn't be prohibitive. It would also go a long way towards reducing the cruelty and neglaect so many "pets" meet with because any dickhead can buy an animal on a whim.

Tbh I think most people would rather the money to go to children's centers or the NHS. Hence why it would necer pass a public vote.

And wouldn't stop dickheads either. They'd still buy dogs illegally and keep them out of public sight whereby there are more likely to abused and neglected. 'Dickheads' are not, in general, law abiding people.

I'm not sure about that. It isn't necessarily the same money. Straw man argument IMO, bringing children's centres into it

OR we could just organise doggy death squads of vigilantes to go round and herd them all up

personally I think the dog DNA bank is a better idea

but I would do just about anything not to have to be faced with piles of shit every time I go out. It seriously spoils the area I live in.

I love dogs! I have 3 I pick up all their poo.

As a responsible dog owner I would happily support stricter controls on who should own a dog. I personally think they they should all be registered and have a log book system to record change of ownership etc. People should have to pass a test before they could get one. I would happily pay a license fee to fund this.

But let's face it it's not responsible owners who are the problem, so just like some people don't license/insure their cars so some wouldn't comply with such a system for dogs.

I hate irresponsible dog owners but just because some owners are feckless ejits I don't see why I should be denied the privilege of sharing my life with my pets who impinge on no one.

Equally some parents are feckless ejits who produce children who contribute nothing to society so if we follow rolandweary's logic we should ban all children.

They have a good system in New Zealand for dogs (or they did when I lived there!) you had to have a liscene that you paid for and your dog was issed a certain colour collar that had an id number in/on it.
A warden would come and check yearly that you had renewed your lisence and they also check to make sure the dog wasn't dangerous, also they checked the dog was being kept in good conditions.
There were a lot less dogs around.

um, there is no logic in that whatsoever, and certainly not "my logic"

children grow up to be adults and make their own choices, develop themselves independently of their parents and background - how can you say that people produce children who contribute nothing? You can't possibly know what a child's future holds.

A dog, on the other hand, just eats shits and pulls daft faces. No great loss.

'A dog, on the other hand, just eats shits and pulls daft faces' and assists in search and rescue, enables disabled people to live independantly, helps law enforcement, detects bombs, detects drugs being smuggled into the country, brings joy to the lives of many people inc. the elderly and the sick (PAT dogs).

I explicitly exempted working dogs in my suggestion

I would ban domestic, non-essential dog ownership and licence the rest

Stroking a dog has been proved to reduce stress, they are good for mental health. Walking them is excellent exercise. I think they should be available on prescription - Roland sounds in need

What about when working dogs retire? Can they be rehomed to the public or must they be shot?

Your argument has too many holes.

- some "ideas" on here are downright ridiculous. Ban all "non essential" dogs. Tax dog owners which will lead to loads of stray dogs but hey, never mind. Fit colostomy bags on dogs. Do some of you actually engage your brains before you type this utter shite?

Yes people who let their dogs shit everywhere are scum - but it is the people, not the dogs who are scum. Where are all you dog haters in RL because I have never met one as bad as some of you lot, ever.

I am now going to move away from this thread because it is ridiculous.

Poeple who knowingly let their dogs shit in public places and don't clean up after them are ARSEHOLES!!!

retired working dogs - they should go to licenced, approved owners (like foster parents) where they live out their days in comfort

Where is the money coming from to vet the approved owners?

And what about all the vets who have trained hard for years who will lose their job?

money - I've already answered that

vets - tough titty

she is beautiful actually, I have to admit

those big chocolate brown eyes

BUT the public health disaster is there, and it isn't going away, and it is not acceptable

so I WOULD do something drastic to get rid of it, personally

can't make an omelette without breaking eggs

and you could have a licence to keep any existing dog until it passed away, you just wouldn't be allowed to get another one unless you could prove you needed it

She is a beauty Beer. My dogs are barf fed mainly and nature diet for the rest, Their poo is small, firm and none stinky.

I'd rather deal with their poo than my nephews nappy [bluergh]

Roland why can you not just admit that banning all dogs is a silly idea when it comes to the practicality of actually laying it out?

The DNA database would also be too expensive and many unresponsible owners would buy from back yard breeders and fail to register their dog.

Phone the dog warden if you see someone leaving their dogs mess. There is already a system in place, it just needs to be enforced. If there is a big problem where you live contact your MP and ask what he plans to do about it.

um.... that would be because I don't think it IS a silly idea!

Absolutely hilarious!

There should be towns where people can choose to live, that are dog- and cat-free. When I win the Lottery, I am going to buy a village, ban pets, and roland and longstocking can come and live there.