Look at that face

There have been several dog attacks recently with some quite awful results; people being disfigured and innocent dogs getting killed while defending their 'masters' from brutal attacks.

It doesn't bode well for other dog-owners who take care of and with their animals. We have a large but very friendly dog (see pic) who gets yelled at (as do we) if we take him to the beach, as we are entitled, and let him run around.

Where is this all headed? Are we going to have to apply for a special dispensation to own a dog e.g. if we are blind or own a farm. Is the family pet dog an endangered species?

Our children are growing up with a respect for, but not fear of, animals and this can partly be attibuted to us having a dog ourselves. Will people begin to fear all animals which could lead to a huge level of distrust in anything living including people?

I'm no dog lover but it would be a sorry day where pet dogs were banished.