I have always been a great believer in one thing. If you want people to see your point of view, and understand why you may be passionate, you have to show a balanced view. That is, you highlight the good as well as the bad, so that people understand that you are not some misery killjoy.
(Just to hammer the point home) Many people just don't want to see Swans attacked, nesting birds forced from their nests, habitats destroyed (even if it is unwittingly) owners ignoring all the signs and the law. We and many others, do not choose to be slobbered on and soaked by wet dog, muddy pawed, barked at, have an uninvited dogs nose joining our picnics, to endure the endless sounds of an owners bad recall, to be knocked off our feet or terrorised by a "friendly" dog, a face full of great Dane while watching a Beetle, or a small dog yapping in a nature reserve that states dogs must be on a lead, when enjoying some family time, some individual time, a rare moment of peace and sanity, or when we may be teaching our children to respect other's space, and they are learning about their environment, which will hopefully protect our nature in the future, so that dog walkers actually have somewhere to go in future other than a concrete jungle!!
To start off, I would like to highlight some points. I love dogs, and I wouldn't want anyone to think otherwise. So I want to state, that part of why I have such a problem with off-lead dogs in certain areas, who's owners have little control, is that I am actually concerned for the dog's welfare as much as the wildlife I adore, and actually everyone's own personal space and choices.
I have spent some time trying to research about wildlife crime, the law on control of dogs, humans too for that matter, and there were some issues even I didn't know about. How many dog owners realise that if their dog disturbs grazing cattle on farmland, their dog could be legally shot? If they get away with being shot, grazing cattle could become un nerved and cause danger to other people walking without dogs. Shocking, but fact. How many dog owners realise, that their dog is an extension of them, and if their dog unwittingly disturbs wildlife, they could be prosecuted? How many people realise that, if their loose dog causes a nuisance to ANYONE else they could be prosecuted? How may people actually bother to research dog friendly zones?
I learned the other day that Upton Heath has a dog friendly agility part, designed for off lead dogs to play safe and exercise off lead. The reasoning? To try and cut down the amount of off lead dogs on precious heathland! Also, having spoken to many dog trainers, a dog who has no leadership is a MISERABLE dog, who will challenge authority and eventually get hurt by another dog, teaching them some manners!
I love dogs. I don't want to see them restricted. I would not want to see responsible owners prosecuted, or stopped walking their dogs off lead. One other problem highlighted, is that there is such a huge problem with perception.
What makes a good dog owner? One that loves their dog unconditionally, spoils them rotten, pandering to their every need, giving them a hierarchy over their own, and treating them like babies? Some dog owners would disagree. A tiny little pampered pooch, who gets picked up at the slightest contact, spells disaster to some, yet the owner of the small dog, would perceive they are doing the right thing by protecting them from the big bad....world? Then you have the owners of the big dogs. Big and friendly, that bound up to anyone they see. Clumsy, bouncy, happy, full of life, just trying to be friendly, but intimidating to some people, who choose not to own a dog. Whatever the perception, the problem becomes a problem if people hold a strong opinion, and there are opposing sides.
So this is my side as it is my blog. I have, and will continue to voice my opinion on what I perceive are selfish dog owners. I don't care if the dog is big or small. The owner problem is the issue, and needs to be addressed.
So, without further ado, I will tell a story of my dog owner hero of the day. (I will get to the point) First off, I feel terrible that I didn't actually get a photo of this dog and owner, but trust me when I say I was impressed, and I just have to tell the story.
Morden Bog, Wareham, Dorset. First off, the most sensible dog fouling sign I have seen, even if some dog owners see it as a challenge, not a sarcastic hint. Even so. "Dog walkers, if your dog fouls here, please do not put it in a bag and throw it into a hedge. Your bag will take several 100's years to decompose, and there is no one here to clean up after you, so we would rather you left it" or something like that. Give some dog owners an excuse to dodge their responsibilities they will, but hey, as long as there is a sign right? Instead of them enjoying the sarcastic loopholes, why don't they have a conscience? Shame the dog owners ignore the ones that actually refer to the law and the welfare of wildlife, but better that than picking up their dogs poo, putting it into a bag and throwing it in hedges etc.
It's quite amazing really. We must have spent 2 hours at Moorden Bog today. A large field, perfect for a good run of any small, medium, or large dog to be free, and foul to it's hearts content. Yet we saw just one dog, and on the way out. A 5 month old spaniel. I could see from a distance, this dog was only interested in it's leader. I have never seen such a good recall, let alone from such a young dog. We walked closer, we could see this dog, just dying to say hello, but looking to it's leader for permission. I couldn't resist, the dog was gorgeous. I gave the cue to it's leader, and the dog was given permission to say hello. Such a lovely dog, that we all fussed over. You might wonder why I said the word "leader" instead of owner. This wasn't an owner, but a friend of the owner, who was doing a favor for a friend, and she told me that she was just re-enforcing the owners wishes. She did so, and I hope with pride.
Now, how many dog owners could say the same? If a person in control of of such a young dog could have such fantastic control, why can't everyone else? Is it really too much to ask? I'm not about trying to spoil fun. I like to have fun. Who doesn't? Many dog owners have called me selfish, miserable, intolerant and a hater of dogs. I want to put the record straight. It's not the case. I love dogs, and I accept their presence, and an owners choice to walk their dogs. Just why don't these people respect me, my family, the wildlife we explore together? Or anyone else for that matter?
No comments:
Post a Comment