Letter: I am writing in response to Stephanie Faulkner’s letter of December 12 since she seems to have quite a poor knowledge of dog behaviour and yet sees fit to incriminate the majority of dog owners.

The tethering of an animal to a fixed point is a far cry from holding an animal on a lead using a collar, a method which has been used for many years with acceptance.

A well-trained animal will cause itself no injury from a lead and collar and the use of the collar and lead encourages good walking as the control over the dog is maintained.

Dogs are pack animals and for everyone’s safety they must always be kept in their place. Thus a dog being chastised by a higher pack member, ie their owner, is a matter of course and what they expect instinctively.

They feel secure in that submissive position and having control over your dog does not mean that you are being cruel, in fact, the reverse is true. All good owners offer as much love and attention, and hopefully more so, than they do correction.

If an owner allows a dog to sniff other dogs then all is well and good if that other dog is friendly, but what if it isn’t? If an owner chooses to keep their dog away from such risks that is their choice, not one I would necessarily take but I wouldn’t criticise others for doing so.

Bringing back dog licences would probably cost more than they would be worth.

I suggest Stephanie that you learn some more about dog behaviour before pointing fingers.

Petra Carpenter

Roden