I fully support dog control orders where they are applied to parks, recreation areas. It makes good sense to have dogs on lead where children are playing and  where those without dogs can enjoy a pleasant amble without the risk of encountering free running dogs. It makes even more sense for owners of nervous dogs or dogs/owners  who do not enjoy meeting off lead dogs to walk in dog control areas. But most dogs require the fun and health benefits of  off lead exercise and our forests and countryside ( excluding farmland) are ideal for this and it would be a great pity if our freedom to do so were curtailed. We have to stand firm and together on this otherwise we risk losing these freedoms. Bickering /aggressive  interaction between dog walkers does us no service whatsoever and certainly does not help our dogs.

Regarding dogs off lead on the road. I thought this was illegal ? I can't imagine allowing a dog to walk off lead in traffic . What a numpty !

Jan, I do agree with much of what you say and I am actually the strongest advocate of appropriate and careful socialisation. However, times are changing, especially in the inner cities and you'll note that we have not yet had dog control orders instituted in my area. Such measures might be averted altogether if all dog owners could indulge in a little give and take and a little considered self- regulation.

There are areas of the park where dogs run free in large open spaces. In other areas there are a series of notices politely requesting that dogs are walked on a lead. These polite requests are routinely flouted by people with 'friendly' dogs who seem unable or unwilling to look at the big picture. They prefer to let their dogs off everywhere with a minimum of supervision. Their dogs are friendly they say and would not harm anyone- circling other dogs and people or even jumping around them is perfectly justified in their view because "their dog/s are okay". My pet hate is people who let their dogs barge ahead of them off lead through narrow walkways that lead into the park. Again, is is really asking too much for them to put their dogs on a lead until they have reached the large open spaces which can be avoided by others if they wish, and where it is easy to see who and what is off lead? The dogs would still get their free running and play but for those who need, for whatever reason, to avoid off lead dogs there is an option.

In regard to walking off lead I believe the law is tricky and ambiguous and it is down to whether the council institutes local bye laws. I do believe however that it is illegal to cross a public road with an off lead dog. That said, who will enforce these laws and dish out the fines? Clearly it hasn't been done thus far, not judging by the sheer volume of people who do it. I have occasionally ventured a 'discussion' and been told that it is not a problem since 'their dog is okay'. They seem oblivious to the notion of setting an example etc..

Really good points freelancerukuk . I think in my part of the UK we are exceptionally fortunate in having so many opportunities for off lead exercise. I appreciate that in urban areas it must be very difficult indeed to have free running dogs and keep everyone happy. You are absolutely right that permitting dogs to run up to and jump up at members of the public not acceptable. We moved out of the town and into the countryside because of the dogs and to avoid annoying neighbours ( that can be read either way!)

Going up north tomorrow with some of doggies to check out dog friendly places.

I think in this area you get a particular type of person with dogs that look tough, they see it as an image thing to flout the law and walk about with a dog off lead.
My heart was in my mouth recently when I saw a chap at the shops, crossing a very busy dual carriage way. The dog was definetly not completely under control and dashed out from the central reservation across to the other side and only just made, it I couldn't look !!!.

My other pet hate is people who walk along busy main roads with the dog on the end of a flexi lead.
One of the trainers I knew always used to relate an accident she had witnessed, where a dog on a flexi had seen another dog across the road and had run out into the road and straight under an oncoming lorry, they will literally left with a dead dog on the end of a flexi.
But sometimes it is not worth saying anything as all you will be met with is abuse.

The problem is that responsible owners, who train there dogs, make sure they do not cause a nuisance and pick up after them, will be penalised if control orders are extended to all areas.

Where up North are you going Jan I may be able to help ?
Also I have a little RAC Book  Walking The Dog  Motorway Walks For Drivers and Dogs  - Lezil Rees.
Very handy little book as it lists walks convenient to motorways. If you give me a rough idea of location, I can look up what is in the area for you.

I also dislike flexi leads and a lot of us are fighting hard to stop dog control orders.

Thank you Dorcas ! We're going to Northumberland and Borders area to have a look and consider going back there to live. I was 'born and bred ' up there and retiring there seems a good option for us. We are staying in Belford and hope to find some lovely off lead walks for the doggies. Sadly, my only remaining uncle died today in Newcastle -I'd hoped to see him. At my age, family get togethers are usually at funerals . We will be going MI and then A1M -husband will be driving because I've torn the tendon in my shoulder -will have surgery in May.

Feel I should be eating a bucketful of humble pie. It is all very well for me to talk blithely of the joys of dog control orders when I live in a semi rural area with plenty of opportunity for off lead exercise along side places where dogs can be on lead without meeting free running dogs. I 'm sure if I lived in town, I'd be fighting tooth and nail for doggie 'freedom to roam'.

Also detest flexi leads -I had a bad fall when I got caught in one while idiot owner chatted on mobile. Have seen dogs dash out onto roads at the end of these stupid things.

Just re read above -meant freedom to roam responsibly and with consideration for others, of course.

Hi Jan, The book list walks by junctions, so not sure where you would want to stop, list walks from Junction 5 through to 46 of the M1
Unfortunately no A roads, only motorways listed M1-M90.

Northumbria and the Borders are a lovely part of the country, I stayed at Morpoth a few years back, and when we go to Border Union Champ Show we stay at a little village called Kirk Yetton, that was also lovely. 

Hi Dorcas

Thank you ! I've sent you a PM