Oliver Keens is brave and correct to make this stand (Who has priority in public spaces – dogs or children? Where I live, we’re about to find out, 1 December). There is no rational argument against banning dogs from gated play areas and sports areas. Rather than children needing to be educated about how to behave around dogs, too many dog owners need a dose of realism about how others perceive their beloved pets.
There is a blind spot for many owners who just can’t comprehend that not everyone loves their dog and therefore allow behaviours that are antisocial and threatening to children and adults alike. How many times have people encountered dogs racing up to them in public spaces, jumping up on to them and generally not being under the control of their owners, whose only counter is “Oh, he’s just being friendly”.
