Confident dogs pose no threat

In reply to Mr and Mrs Burton's letter, September 6, and the implication that the dog owners to whom he refers are irresponsible. I happen to be one of those owners and I'd like to address several points.

On the day in question there were five dogs and four owners - all of the dogs were off the lead and went to greet the Burton's dog which was on the lead.

We generally allow our dogs to roam freely so that they can socialise and relax in the company of other dogs.

There was no aggression displayed by our animals, just dog curiosity. Our dogs were called away the moment Mr and Mrs Burton demonstrated their concern.

As for looking on "complacently", it would be more accurate to say that we were confident that our dogs posed no threat but we could step in if required.

As responsible owners we understand that some other dogs react less well than our own to making new friends.

The sentences about what could have happened are speculative and alarmist. We were made to sound like hooligans.

At the time of writing, I'm still at liberty to give my dog a good quality of life and trust her to comport herself in a civil manner off the lead.

If this constitutes the sort of behaviour the Burton's refer to, then I'm guilty.

Our "minority" group are campaigning to oppose Oswestry Borough Council's move to have dogs kept on leads on the Racecourse and at Ifton Meadows.

So, I both refute and resent the implications in Mr and Mrs Burton's letter and hope that if they feel threatened, they would have the courtesy to air any complaint there and then.

Derek Wheeler, Oswestry