“I know exactly what your talking bout danny, my dogs also need shuooting. They are useless and next to nothing. I might actually take them on his land to to ensure they are got rid of.\ at last once and for all.”

“I wish someone would shoot my dog. I feed-up of people telling me I should clean up after her. More nuance than she's worth.”

“2 Nicks I see
I am glad Mr ?Is it Disbelief- I'm sure you will correct me... that you found the time to scrutinise my post. I haven't responded until now as I have been responsibly and sensibly walking my dog. It was lovely- and not a gun wielding farmer in sight.
By the way- I never said he wouldn't come back when called, just implied that he may get to an area with livestock before me.
My statement stands- if a farmer shot my dog I would take him to civil court. Full stop.”

“Interesting to see that it is assumed this attack was caused by dogs. Since nobody saw it happen, does Mr Palk know this for sure? Perhaps he has forensic experience.
IF it was caused by dogs, then of course they must be stopped. However, threatening us all with a gun - and that's how it sounds to me - is entirely inappropriate.
I am a dog owner, careful to keep my dog away from farm animals, and expect others to do the same. I too am appalled at the number of dog owners that do not clear up their mess. But that's a whole different discussion.”

“Regardless, my partner Mike and I are responsible owners and enjoy walking out dog and we're not about to stop now.”

“Good of you to look up the definition of the word sensible - unfortunately, that is not a word you used in your previous post, you preferred the word responsible. The definition you gave also seems to sit better with the word responsible rather than sensible. Seems you are getting a little confused here!

I agree it is sensible to put your dog back on a lead when necessary to control it. Perhaps it is not so sensible to let it off the lead when:

1 - You are in an area where there may be livestock.

2 - By your own admission, when you cannot catch it or call it back because it is too fast for you.

Perhaps you ought to do the RESPONSIBLE and SENSIBLE thing and allow your dog to be re-homed to an owner that will take responsibility for not only the safety and welfare of the dog, but also of livestock and the public.

If you wanted to protect your dog, you would take better control of it - making life difficult for the farmer after they have shot your dog is hardly being responsible.

Unfortunately the readers of this column are likely to misjudge all dog owners (most of whom are responsible and sensible) by thinking they are like you, which is not fair on them.”

“Mmm- Sensible-'Liable to be required to give account' yep thats what i thought it meant- wonder what your definition is then?
How strange you suggest 'taking my dog up Berry Head...'when this is all about protecting my dog..no, don't understand that bit either.
Livestock are often moved and often in areas on the outskirts of free walking areas e.g woods. You don't know they are there until you see them- then you put the dog back on the lead-sensible..”

“Nick, Devon - you claim to be a responsible dog owner, yet you have your dog running free in areas you may encounter livestock - I think your definition of responsible is somewhat different to that of the rest of the population.

I'm surprised you haven't taken your dog up to Berry Head yet and encouraged it to run over the cattle grids so you could sue TCCT!”

“I am a responsible dog owner, if i see livestock I put my dog on a lead- but he is faster than me.Shoot my dog and I would take Mr Farmer to court under Criminal Justice Act 1971. It may not get me anywhere, and it wouldn't bring my dog back, but it would make me feel better, and mess up HIS life for a while..”

“ARTHUR of Paignton, you are so immature; I was refering to the dogs in Liverpool. Never did I infer I was talking about humans.”