I WAS very sorry to hear about Simon North’s dog, Fozzy, being attacked by an ‘off the lead’ dog (Argus, June 20).

The owner should have grabbed his dog and had him leashed on seeing Mr Beever with Fozzy and knowing the said dog was inclined to do this.

I used to live in Slough before I came to Wales 25 years ago, where it was commonplace for dogs to be off the lead anywhere, and after a couple of nasty incidents with untrained dogs, made a habit of taking a walking stick with me whenever I took my dog out. I found it was only necessary to wave the stick close to them to discourage them from actually attacking and if I saw a loose dog in the distance I would leave the area.

I felt that I had as much right to protect my dog as the other owner had to let his dog loose.

Mrs D Davies, Kidwellly Close, Llanyravon