Don't let's be dog­matic nor hypo­critical. Last week's Review (page 14) showed cute and cuddly photos of adorable puppies in the adfeature, and on page 20, a vitriolic and emotional diatribe against all dogs and owners.

It is all too easy to print inflammatory platitudes as in your editorial, and I quote "further, there should be no occasion when a dog is off its lead unless muzzled". This approach appeals to the 'let's hang 'em high' school of thought, but does very little to help find a solution to a very real and serious problem.

I am the proud owner of five border collies with my wife and we both take our responsibilities to them and our fellow citizens, very seriously. The dogs are always kept on lead in public places and on roads and our pockets always carry poop scoop bags to remove any waste should it occur. Passers-by usually com­ment on the fact that we are the exception rather than the rule, yet another inaccurate platitude.

A very small minority of people have danger­ous dogs.

A somewhat bigger minority of owners allow their dogs to foul where they will without re­moving it.

Another small minority of dog owners are totally responsible and work towards improving all canine matters.

Unfortunately, the biggest and most dange­rous group, are those, as in all walks of life, who are apathetic. The 'it doesn't really apply to me' brigade.

I have got news for all dog owners. The editor­ials in the Review, the nationals and other local press often have a direct effect on those res­ponsible for legis­lation, possibly leading to even more knee-jerk reac­tions. We unfortunately live in an irresponsible society and no amount of legislation has had any effect on the apathetic sector. Bad driving, litter dropping, vandalism, drunken behaviour to name but a few, still exist despite legislation.

I believe The Forest of Dean Council is shortly to introduce spot fines for allowing your dog to foul in public places without removing it. However, it is the responsibility of the parish council to provide dog waste bins, which they rarely do. Spot fines can only be effective with enough people on the ground to see every offence 24/7 which realistically is not practical. The provision of more bins, regularly emptied, is far cheaper and could be more effective if all responsible citizens encourage dog owners to 'bag it and bin it.'

Size and breed are irrelevant to dog behaviour. Environment is what shapes a dog's behaviour. They are social animals and are very adaptable creatures. The problem starts with owners shaping bad behaviour often without realising they are doing so. It is very rare for people or animals to be born aggressive. It develops as a reaction to the environment they are a part of.

There are no easy instant solutions to any of life's problems but there are numerous ways to improve our understanding of dogs. Local dog clubs, books, the internet, to name but a few. The Kennel Club run a Good Citizen training scheme where skills in all aspects of dog ownership are developed. Perhaps even the Review could organise a regular column to advise owners to seek help with their dogs.

To condemn is easy, to find solutions is so much more rewarding. – M. Neave, Bream.