Is it time to bring back the dog licence?

[Flippetydip]

On a family bike ride/run on Saturday having witnessed so many out of control dogs and ignorant owners, not to mention the streets being paved with dog muck, I was thinking, surely it must be time to reintroduce a dog licence. Would it make people think a bit more about getting a dog?

While we were out one Jack Russell went for my ankles and then stood there growling and barking at me. When I asked the owner to get it under control I was told "it's not my fault" - well yes it is, if you can't keep it under control, keep it on a lead.

As a disclaimer, I love dogs and we are likely to get on in the next few years but it will be trained and I will clear up after it.

they place their desire for a cute pet above the right of an animal to live a healthy life without undue suffering
That sums it up, these people arent animal lovers they are selfish and cruel

It's not only the dog that will suffer. If money is tight and there is the cost of a dog, money will have to be diverted from other, often more pressing essentials to cover it.

So how would an additional tax help it?

Having NUMEROUS children is also a lifestyle choice (obviously a bad choice if your life is chaotic) and a luxury

Completely agree

Are people somehow assuming that all the bad dog owners are too poor to afford an expensive licence but all the good owners can afford one, because that's what it's sounding like. Having to have a licence will be unenforceable and would not necessarily solve any of the problems anyway.

That sums it up, these people arent animal lovers they are selfish and cruel
That would apply more to those who aren't poor at all. They buy cutesy popular breeds which have numerous genetically caused health problems.

I agree, many people who have pets are selfish and cruel, it's about human self indulgence and not about the welfare of the animals
the animals are mere accessories...living toys

starchild - you might be interested in the Dogs Trust Hope Project - 'Helping dogs whose owners are homeless or in housing crisis'.

Ooh I didn't know about that one, thank you Errol - I might look into volunteering with them. I like programmes that support humans as well as their pets - if I'm ever in a position to take in foster dogs I want to help with the Dogs Trust project that finds foster homes for dogs while their owner is escaping an abusive relationship. Fabulous idea :)

Eolian There was an article about the dna testing of dog poo on a programme a few weeks ago ( I can't remember which one) so it does seem there is a need for it.