Irresponsible dog owners

Steve from Seatoun

I love dogs and enjoyed owning them for many years. My partner and I also like walking the Eastern Walkway and Benoit Trail and other walkways when possible. In recent years though I am appalled by the irresponsible attitude of a growing number of dog owners who think its OK to leave dog poo bags on the trails or just allow their dog to defecate without making any attempt to even flick the faeces off into the bush (which in fact would be preferable to leaving the plastic bags). A few months ago I was attacked by a dog on three separate occasions while the useless owner looked on and called to no avail to the dog. I eventually swung my fist at the dog just as he leapt at my chest snarling and he decided he better go back to his owner, who then said to the dog: "Oh he's on your trail". Today my partner and her friend were attacked by a dog (who was a crossbreed with a muzzle on) on the Benoit Trail. The owner, who had one dog on a lead and let the other off the lead just as they were walking towards him, then offered the classic reply of these irresponsible dog owners: "Oh he won't hurt you". He was very intent on hurting them as it turns out and smashed into my partner's hip before turning on her friend. I know most dog owners in the area are responsible and care about their dogs and the environment but increasingly these people who seem to think their dogs are more important than others are letting the team down big time.