Collar scheme

AS a full-time dog walker I have been very aware of the increase in commercial dog walkers in the past few years and have for a while now predicted this would become a hot potato (your report, 5 May).

This issue has to be tackled with common sense, not knee jerk reactions, as suggested by lawyer Ms Catriona Brown.

She claims she was "attacked" by three power-bred dogs while skiing. I suspect the speed with which she was moving made her appear to the dogs as some kind of prey, and they joined in a game of chase and excitement.

If there was no biting and stitches were not required it was a far cry from a dog attack.

In a sense it's a classic example of dogs wanting to interact with us but the human's misinterpretation of the situation. This type of reporting is typical of media that like to demonise dogs and sensationalise the situation.

Third party insurance would do nothing to prevent what happened to her. A good risk assessment of any dog is key to preventing such incidents, as would be a regulated licence for commercial dog walking.

The recommended number of dogs walked in a pack is six, which I have done daily for four years without a single incident. A dog handler with a lesser ability in handling a pack of dogs and without a good sense of understanding canine body language is still a disaster waiting to happen.

Too often I see unsuitable people walking packs of dogs, soiling the industry for those of us who take great care and pride in improving their public image and the industry in general.

Dogs can't rationalise our changing lives, so why don't we give them a break?

KEITH DAVIES

Goose Green Road

Musselburgh