AS A dog owner myself I can understand the upset that having to keep your dog on the lead can cause.

AS A dog owner myself I can understand the upset that having to keep your dog on the lead can cause. But I feel very strongly about keeping dogs on leads in public areas since becoming the proud owner of my three-year-old pooch.

Two years ago I would have agreed with Grove Park Gang but in the last year my beautiful dog has chased birds onto the main Bridgewater Road into Weston, narrowly missing a car. Needless to say I was left red faced and had an angry motorist shouting at me.

She has chased ducks into the path of a car only to be hit - the bang, the poor lady motorist panicking and the vet's bill, I will never forget. Luckily she wasn't that badly hurt and had a lucky escape, but it was the last time I trusted her to be let off her lead.

I then started realising that the only way to keep her safe and to avoid a serious accident was to be a responsible pet owner and lead her. After all if I lived in the city I would have to walk her on her lead. Since then she has been attacked by three staffs, a Jack Russell and a rottweiler all off their leads. I now believe and feel all dogs should be on a lead, not only to protect other people, children, motorists and other dogs, but to protect and take responsibility for my beloved pet.

It's a shame the well behaved dogs have to be punished in such a way, but it could help safeguard a beloved pet from being attacked too, if all dogs had to be on leads.

I do feel for the park gang but I have read about many a dog that has been attacked in Grove Park - some even killed or having to be put to sleep because of a dog off a lead. These sad incidents could have been avoided had all dogs been on leads.

I can only hope that this ban reaches other parks in Weston, not only to keep dogs under control but to make owners take responsibility for their dogs fouling too.

CLLR DEBBIE STONE

Ottawa Road

Weston