DOG TRAINERDogs…….one either loves them or hates them. In a feeble attempt to keep body and soul in a reasonably state of repair and to assist in my marbles remaining where they work best I go out running two or three times a week. Unfortunately at around similar morning times in my neck of the woods many dog owners have a similar timetable for exercising their four legged versions of their best friend. I would assume that almost everybody undertaking similar efforts to keep fit will concur. Today, not for the first time, I was prompted into kicking up my heels just a little bit more than usual to avoid the attentions of a black long eared creature snapping at my ankles. Its owner walking nearby cheerfully shouted out that he was only a puppy having some fun before one of my feet tapped his little fun loving creature enough for him to desist and for his owner to describe me as an uncaring person of doubtful parentage. This was only the most recent occasion when similar events have interrupted my Olympian efforts to keep my heart going for yet another day.

The limits and shortcomings of the Dangerous Dogs Act [1991] have been commented upon here 21/02/2010, 04/06/2010 and 09/11/2010. At long last the Sentencing Council has applied some common sense in its forthcoming guidelines to put an end to the anomalies which were inherent in the previous dog`s breakfast of legislation. This is not before time and I hope that when the possible repercussions of poor control over their pets becomes common knowledge to dog owners there will be fewer occasions such as occurred this morning near my house.