A not so shaggy dog story

Dogs and dog owners were always high on my agenda when I lived in Hampstead and used the Heath regularly, either as a lone walker, or as a parent with children.

 It is impossible not to have great sympathy and understanding for the many caring dog owners who valued their pets and exercised them with concern for other Heath users.They are as condemnatory of irresponsible owners as anyone else.

 There were always however going to be a minority of dog owners who allowed their dogs to foul areas used by the public for a variety of other activities, particularly at the Parliament Hill end of Hampstead Heath.

 The despoiling of a public areas is irresponsible. A dog on a lead ties the dog to its owner and vice versa.

 Fortunately the cleaning up of dogs has improved greatly over the last thirty years 

However, the use of dogs by some owners to intimidate other dogs and other Heath users, was and is, something else and I experienced it many times. 

 Specific animals, usually bred for their aggressive qualities, were embraced by owners with a particular mind set. There was little care, or little control. They were used as a threat to anyone else who dared to complain about their dog and its tendencies to attack. 

 The dog as a weapon.

 The dog as a power accessory.

 Frightening for those with friendly pets and young children and equally terrifying for normal Heath users who seek the tranquility and peace of the open space that is Hampstead Heath.

 I am saddened by the recent story about Paul Robinson.

Perhaps nothing has changed.

People maimed and dogs killed by thugs who use their pets as intimidatory threats.

Guy Tunnicliffe