Are we really such a nation of animal lovers?
BRITAIN is always said to be a nation of animal lovers.
Whether it’s cats or dogs, many of us often lavish as much love and attention on our four-legged friends as we do other human beings.
Even with the cold wind of economic recession blowing around these shores, we spend millions of pounds a year on feeding and grooming our pets.
I should know, being the owner of both a dog and a cat.
But to state a truism, pets are only as good as their owners.
The case of the little girl in Essex being attacked by a dog at the weekend brought home that truth with horrible clarity.
Apart from having part of her ear torn off in the attack and enduring surgery, the six-year-old youngster will probably have long-term psychological scars. Perhaps the attack will also leave her with a lifelong fear of dogs.
While such attacks are thankfully rare, they always underline the simple fact that dogs – particularly large breeds – are not human beings, but animals.
Some of the more specialist and bigger breeds have hunting instincts and can become very aggressive around other dogs.
But sad experience tells us that many of these bigger breeds often end up in the hands of owners who have less sense than their pets.
A decade ago, newspapers seemed to be filled with stories about Rottweilers attacking people the length and breadth of Britain.
For a time, Rottweilers seemed to become a must-have fashion accessory for troublemakers with tattoos.
But while the popularity of Rottweilers seems to have waned, other large dogs – such as huskies – are becoming increasingly popular.
Of course, there’s nothing inherently wrong with keeping any breed of dog, but huskies are powerful animals, more used to pulling sleds in the Arctic wilds than being cooped up in a small flat.
Common sense should dictate which dog we choose to own, but common sense is often in short supply when it comes to some owners.
South Tyneside councillors this week debated plans to tackle irresponsible dog owners.
There remain concerns about the old faithful – dog fouling – and about those people who choose to own large breeds, but don’t bother keeping them on leads.
One Hebburn councillor told of some owners cycling or even motorbiking around the town, with their dogs running freely alongside them.
Again, it’s not the dogs’ intelligence we have to question. As it happens, I believe far more dog owners clean up after their pets than in years gone by.
And the sight of packs of wild dogs roaming around the streets – something I remember well in years gone by – is largely a thing of the past.
But we still need to bring some bad dog owners to heel.
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Thursday 24 May 2012
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