Steve, I agree with you about fireworks, which is precisely what we petitioned for, so no argument there.

On dogs, I agree there should be a licence fee, and I’d have no objection to it being applied to fund the emptying of dog-bins. I also believe cyclists should be required to pay a licence fee for their use of roads and footpaths, and to have insurance to cover them and their victims in the case of accidents.

I’m happy to consider a contribution to the NHS, provided cat-owners are required to make the same contribution to cover the treatment of infections picked up from the cat-faeces which they bury in other people’s borders for them to put their hands in while gardening or, in my case, leave on the lawn outside my front door.

Throughout my life, I’ve owned both dogs and cats and, despite your oft-repeated claims to ‘know’ that I only pick up after my dog if ‘someone is watching me’ (which of course is nonsense because you’ve never even met me, let alone followed me on my many dog-walks) been unfailing in my social duty in that regard - even picking up dog-shit left lying around by other, less responsible owners, or stepping in it hidden in the grass while picking my own dog’s shit. I’m absolutely with you that pet owners should take full and complete responsibility for their pets, whatever type of pets they may be.