I have always been a dog owner. I live close to lovely meadowland where dog walking should be an enjoyable relaxing experience.

Sadly this is not so and our walks tend to be one of the most stressful times in my day.

My non-aggressive dog is regularly flattened and attacked by macho dogs, whose owners think it is acceptable to let them run free without muzzles on.

They are nowhere near their animal so could not do anything should it attack a person or another animal.

I have seen wildlife pestered and children frightened, people in wheelchairs and on cycles attacked and have been scared myself on many occasions.

I no longer walk in this area and have to get in my car and drive to a safer place.

I do not think that just vicious dogs should be muzzled as this is not practical as a dog would have to prove itself to be vicious before this law could be enforced.

It is no good saying that owners should be responsible, unfortunately not all dog owners are responsible and some like their dogs to be intimidating.

All dogs should be muzzled when running off the lead no matter what their temperament.

This would not only be fair but easier to enforce and leaves no room for error and does not single out any particular breed.

I would be happy to muzzle my dog for her walk if it meant that all others were muzzled and we could have a safe relaxing time.

W Johnson
Bexley