I'm certain that the dog-owning contributors here are all highly responsible, Doug. Also, I applaud the fact that 'twas Bonzo who started the thread, but would point out that the post would hardly have been needed had the world been replete with similarly responsible owners. Sadly, it seems that for every responsible dog owner (who is in full control, can make his dog walk to heel, who treats it well, who keeps it on a non-expanding lead, who trains it not to bark or to run at people or other dogs and who picks up the shit even when no-one is looking), there are plenty who are utterly unfit to own dogs. It's free, and far too easy, to own a dog.