Owners must be responsible

I refer to the article in the Sentinel-Times regarding distressing dog attacks locally. 

I agree with the comment made by Mardi Templeton as I too walk around Inverloch and see dog owners allowing their dogs to wander in leash mandatory places unleashed.  

I was attacked many times and the last one caused me to have a fall, which I am still getting treatment for from my physio. 

Sorry does not cut it when the damage is done and fines do not help, because it does not make dog owners any wiser or councils responsible for giving owners licences and registering dogs.

Without commitment from the owner, that training and responsibility is one of the key things to owning a pet. 

A dog is not an accessory, it is a responsibility and not only has the owner an obligation to its dog, but the community at large. 

There needs to be more patrols by council officers as it is their responsibility as well for registering dogs.

I have taken responsibility so that I can do my walk every day without being threatened. 

The dog that attacks me will always come worse off than me, as I carry my defence with me when I walk.  

Sorry is a useless word if there is no responsibility attached to it. 

It is pointless owning a beautiful dog if you have no control over it, and it does not listen to your commands.  

I was at the Farmers Market (today) and it is so irresponsible for people to bring their dogs to a market.

That is not a space for animals where people go to do a relaxed shop, and we do not want to have to encounter dogs barking at each and totally out of control. 

Dogs should be banned from public markets as there is plenty of space around the shire, and why would someone want to bring their dog to a market. 

It is the most boring space for a dog when all it wants to do is run in the park or on the beach. 

Owners need to realise that because it is their decision to own a dog, everyone else does not need to tolerate the bad behaviour.  

The dog is never at fault, it is always the owner.  

Use some common sense, take your dogs’ where it is dog friendly.

Surely you can have a couple of hours at the market and leave your dog behind!

It is pointless reading articles like this because there is no commitment to make owners responsible and this is not a new story.  

Fines go into the pockets of the councils and on comes another owner that has no idea of any responsibility.  

If owners do not want to take responsibility for the wellbeing of the community, I will take ownership of my wellbeing. 

I love dogs and have had dogs for most of my life, but I have always put in the effort to play and train my dog, so it is able to socialise and most of all listen to my commands.  

If your dog cannot listen to your command, get it to some training, so you become a better owner to that dog and the community can stay safe as well.

Dilene, Inverloch