Does the Uk Have to to many dogs?

[Lavenderflower]

I was out earlier. I was about to put some rubbish in the public bin but there I noticed it was filled to the brim with dog poo bags. I have noticed now days there seems to be dogs mess every where. It seems there are more dogs about since covid. I am curious if this can pose health risk for public.

Dog poo in the bin is a good thing.

Dog owners get criticised for picking up their dog poo and putting it in the bin, but we get a bigger criticism if we don't. It's not our fault if the council don't empty the bins. It could be ages before we get home, and it can be unrealistic to bring it with us. Complain to the council for more bins and/or more frequent emptying.

People are overly critical of dogs but nothing is said of the advantages. Dogs have proven to be good for owners physical and mental health. Engaging, playing and petting pets has been proven to lower blood pressure. Yes they introduce bacteria but this been proven to help improve immunity. A dog forces you out for a walk daily, so ensuring owners get daily exercise and vitamin D. There was a study recently that gave one group a free gym membership for a year and the other a dog....guess who got the most exercise? (It wasn't the gym members!) Dog owners talk to each other so helping combat loneliness. The companionship of a dog is wonderful.....they're always pleased to see you and are completely non judgemental.

I hate the mumsnet opinions on dogs....they're so totally judgemental and completely sweeping in their statements We're judged on the behaviour of a small minority of dog owners.

No, it has too many people!!

Too many dogs with terrible owners who let them crap in the street or park. The ones who just let them off lead without taking any notice of where they poo. It’s so grim. Also really dislike dog owners who assume you want to interact with their dogs and let them jump all over you.

janglejingle, thats a small minority of owners though, not the dogs. If youre going to own a dog, you need to have a responsibility to ensure it behaves appropriately.

There are an estimated 13.5 million dogs in the UK (2024.) If they were all crapping on pavements and not being cleaned up after, we really would have a problem. The by laws are crystal clear, clean up after your dog or you could be fined. Sadly, a minority don't and I hate seeing dog poo on our pavements and I'm a dog owner. If you see it happening, politely ask the owner to pick it up or report them.

And let's not pretend human beings have a whiter than white track record for keeping the streets clean, that's why the councils employ street cleaners. It's also why beaches have regular cleaning sessions to pick up cartons, bottles, nappies and all kinds of other discarded rubbish which could harm marine life.

In regards to aggressive dogs, dogs jumping up or dogs generally being a nuisance in a public place, this is covered in law under the Dangerous Dogs Act. Irrespective of breed, it is an offence to allow a dog to be 'dangerously out of control' in a public place. It doesn't have to involve aggression but clearly a large breed of dog jumping up at someone could cause them to fall over and injure themselves. Call the owner out on it because this is a training issue and it's fairly easy to address.

I do agree with those who have posted about the new fad for 'menacing' looking dogs. I'm accustomed to large breeds but if I saw one of those, muzzled or not, heading towards me and my dog, we'd be doing a swift u-turn and getting as far away as possible.

It's a complete mystery to me why anyone would want to own a dog that looks like it's on steroids and much worse than that, has highly questionable breeding. It's insane.

Please remember than in addition to the millions of dogs who provide love, loyalty and companionship to their families, there are thousands of service dogs for the blind, the disabled, for those with epilepsy, cancer detection dogs, drug detection dogs, search and rescue dogs, police dogs, prison dogs, explosive dogs, etc

Ha, timely.

It is everywhere, and we do have a problem. It is NOT a minority not picking up, certainly not where I am either.

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/_chat/5266771-so-much-dog-poo-what-can-be-done?reply=141876815

Think it's more a people problem than a dog problem. The uk is very densely populated.

There are no advantages to me, of you having a dog. Only many disadvantages. Mainly the shit everywhere. But also I am allergic, and now you lot are taking your mangy mauly beasts everywhere, I can't even sit in a cafe comfortably any more, to the extent I now just don't go. I only eat out at restaurants that don't allow dogs, and those are sadly becoming rare. I am sick of worrying about getting licked if I am not super vigilant in shops, because dog saliva brings me out in a very itchy rash, so I can't even relax in shops, as I am having to watch for anyone bringing a dog in.

Why would you try and police where other people find emotional comfort? Some people for a variety of reasons - including neurodivergence - find it much easier to relate to dogs and form an emotional bond with them. Other people - probably most people - can enjoy the company of both dogs and people. Either way, a person who loves their dog is more love in the world, and I find it hard to look around me right now and think that the world needs any less love.

I'm not a dog owner, not a big dog person (#teamcat) but find this thread astonishing. So many people so furious about the mere existence of dogs. Honestly, guys, live and let live.

Because by supporting this notion of dogs being a crutch for people, it takes away the better experience of people being there for one another, and I do believe it is to the detriment of society that so many people have let themselves become dependent on dogs, to the detriment of human relationships, and the downward spiral continues. I think the psychology people will be pointing this out more and more in the future.
People aren't going to improve their condition if they can only relate to dogs, and not their fellow humans. I really don't think it is good for our collective mental health, long-term.

Humans domesticated dogs at least 20,000 years ago. People emotionally relating to their dogs isn't new and I really don't think it'll bring about the fall of society.

I've seen dog shit in bags hanging from trees. The dogs didn't put it there.

I have people in my life, but I also have my dog. She enriches my life in a way that is different to how people do. People have hurt me. My dog never has.
At the end of each day, it is just me and my dog in my home. Or am I a failure of a person for living alone?
It really has no impact on you when someone loves their dog. Like @MoreDangerousThanAWomanScorned said - we need more love in the world. You are just spewing out hate, and that is why this world is an awful place to live right now.

I am neurodivergent, and my condition will never improve.
Following your logic, blind people could cope better and improve their eyesight if they just gave up using guide dogs.
You don't get to say how people cope with whatever contrition they have.

Eternally single and childless my entire adult life here, not really through choice. Last summer I felt so low after 17 years of this, that got a dog. My first dog.

She's changed my daily life beyond measure, I feel so much happier.

Of course I would have like to have emotional connection with a FWB, or boyfriend, a partner, if we're dreaming big maybe even a husband of my very own..!

But some people just don't get to have those things. It's life. It doesn't happen for everyone. Friends and family are too busy to be someone's "person" - they have their own partners and that's fair enough.

My dog is not "my person" in the way that a longed for partner would be but she is my daily connection with a living being. Another heartbeat in the house that makes me feel less alone every day and night.

She will keep me going, for sure.

But yeah - "just get it from fellow humans" 🙄must be so simplistically wonderful to live in your little mind.

Too many dogs and cats everywhere. The shelters are full. It's awful. There should be a full neutering programme.

I’d rather have more dogs and less people.

Which part of the country do you live in? I live in a small market town in Calderdale (West Yorks), work in a large town and take my holidays at the coast in Yorkshire where there's a dogs -allowed beach. Yes, you see dog poo that hasn't been cleaned up but it's the exception not the rule. I'm genuinely sorry you're having to deal with it, it's disgusting.

Definitely for cats, as people tend to let them roam.

SW London/Surrey/Middx borders. It's EVERYWHERE.

A perfect example of how dogs can enrich our lives. They are amazing ❤

They don't enrich my life. Quite the opposite. If they enrich yours, great - but please don't impose them on the rest of us.

@OnlyHerefortheBiscuits gave a beautiful example of how her dog has helped her.
Funny how you didn't directly quote her. That would have been unnecessarily nasty. Her dog also does not impose on you either. I think getting your own dog would help you.

I'm a doglover but yes i think there are so many now, with inadequate owners, its becoming a proper nuisance.

Ugh. Where are the dog wardens? Why aren't these people being issued with fines?