I WRITE in response to the letter published in last week’s Star headed: “Time to ban dogs”.


Like many others, I walk my dog in Taylor Park daily.

I can say with certainty that all the responsible dog owners who clean up after their dogs despise those who fail to do so just as much as the people who risk stepping into or wheeling their children through the horrible mess left by the thoughtless, lazy ones.


The writer is wrong, however, to suggest it is now the majority of dog owners who are irresponsible in this way. 


The park is used by hundreds of dog owners every week, if not every day and if he was correct, the problem would be much worse.

Responsibility lies firmly with the minority.


He is also mistaken to suggest owners stand around in a group oblivious to what their dogs are up to. 


The owners chat while their dogs socialise with their own kind but human eyes are focused on the dogs at all times. 


It is unfair to make the assertion that the only reason the majority of dog owners use public areas is because they don’t want their dogs fouling where they live. There is no substance to this claim.


Banning all dogs to resolve a problem caused by the few is not the answer. Detection and prosecution using existing laws would be helpful but for the lack of resources to fund 24/7 surveillance.


Name and address submitted