Dogs on leads? Am I being unreasonable to think this is a great idea?

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Is this a good solution to reduce attacks? https://petition.parliament.uk/signatures/134395215/verify?token=TumpZbrvZuzo-auFASlw

What do you mean by public places. We have working dogs around here that farmers rely on for herding sheep. They can't very well herd sheep down the road whilst on a lead.

What's your source for numbers on this? I've seen far more reports on dog attacks than teens...expecially mauling people

That question directed to @Haywirecity
Sorry no idea how to reply directly

There is already leash laws, in the streets it is law. Open spaces are different. I would like to see leash there too really, specifically dog parks excluded

Most dog attacks are within the house the dog lives in. People who don't train dogs won't abide by rules anyway.

My dog is trained to recall by word, whistle and hand signals. He's far more reliable than most humans

Poor dogs. I couldn't imagine having a dog and never being able to let them off lead.

The trouble with these measures to force owners to control dogs, only the already responsible owners will comply, and the irresponsible idiots will ignore it.

yes you're right, we should make all crime and antisocial behaviour legal because criminals ignore the law anyway

Leads are not a legal requirement in the UK - are you based somewhere else?

Never mind dogs on leads there needs to be petition on fake assistance dogs and they’re on leads! I’m absolutely bloody sick of refusing dogs entry to our premises only to have the ‘oh but they’re an owner trained assistance dog’ line trotted out. We’re happy to welcome guide dogs, dogs for the deaf etc if the owners have proof that the dog has reached an expected standard of training. There’s NO legislation to stop people bringing their dogs into our premises once they trot out the 2010 equality act and video you in the process. We had a psychiatric assistance dog on Monday and all the thing did was bark, whine and be a nuisance. When we asked the lady to leave after it had urinated against a table we were filmed and told the dog was ‘tasking’.

Hold on, I clicked on that link and now it's registered my click as a signature of the petition.

No, dogs should NOT be on leads at all times. Certain dogs yes, but all dogs, no. That is a massive generalisation.

Sensible owners is what we need.

The large majority of dogs benefit hugely from off-lead walks, and pose no threat to anybody they might encounter. They are usually much more interested in following their noses, investigating interesting smells, chasing squirrels etc. A dog that is prevented from following its natural instincts to run, explore, investigate by being kept on the lead all the time is likely to be bored, understimulated and display unwanted behaviour such as damaging furniture or becoming aggressive.

I think a better idea would be to allow dogs to be off lead (with the same caveats that apply now re being under control) at certain times of day - for example before 8am, after 6pm and between 1200 and 2pm. All dogs (except working sheepdogs etc) would have to be on lead outside those times. Dogs could get still get the off-lead exercise they require, but anybody who wanted to be sure they would not encounter an off-lead dog during their bike ride etc, could time it accordingly. It would be a compromise between the needs of people who would rather avoid dogs and those of dog owners.

I've had to go back to 2020 because I can't find teenager breakdown for 2021. I'm not sure 2022 figures are released if they can I can't find them.

In 2020, 56 people were killed by teenagers.
In 2020, 3 people were killed by dogs.

But presumably the cafes and restaurants you are talking about are ones where dogs are permitted. In which case, if you see a sign saying dogs welcome, avoid it.

I live in Sydney. All dogs need to be on a lead in public places, there are off leash areas at some beaches and parks and dedicated “dog parks”, some fully enclosed, some not. People mainly stick to the rules, it can definitely be done.

It hasn't, I think OP has incorrectly linked to the page where her own signature was added.
For gov petitions you have to put in your email address, then click through from the email it sends you in order for your signature to be added. I think that link is what OP has put in.

OP - you might want to change that, because anyone who does agree with you might click and think they've signed it when they haven't.

Well trained dogs don’t need leads all the time, train your dog!
How would you like to be strapped to something everytime you leave the house OP, just because your parents hadn’t taught you manners growing up.

Murderers murder, thieves steal.
May as well do away with all laws if we follow your logic.

@Riapia you've missed my point... police and a jail system enforce the law for murderers and thieves who will enforce this one?

No it’s not a good idea.

Most attacks have happened in a home environment, and the person attacked was a relative or a friend.

on lead rules won’t change that.

Sign whatever petitions you like, my beautiful, well behaved dogs will remain off lead. I live rurally, surrounded by beautiful countryside. There is no way I’m ruining my dogs’ enjoyment of their surroundings just to placate a minority of ridiculous folk who are ‘terrified’ of dogs. Get some therapy for goodness sake 🙄

Humans are much scarier than dogs.

Why do people never start these kind of petitions asking for mandatory training to own a dog and to legislate against back street breeding, insisting on leads is a sticking plaster and will probably be ignored by bad owners.
I can only imagine it would create more attacks from dogs that have never been allowed to burn off their aggression through proper exercise, bad idea.

It won't improve the situation. I'd sign a petition to require dog owners to have liability insurance.

This is the correct link:

A much better idea is to have spaces that are dog free and spaces where dogs are permitted. We were on a dog beach last week with our dog. A family were walking and when a dog approached them, the teenage girl started screaming. The dog was more afraid. My point is, the family could have chosen to walk on the numerous beaches that ban dogs.