Dr. Hili,

We the undersigned respectfully ask you to reconsider your policy of insisting that dogs are on leads at all times on Pembroke, in particular around the shooting range and the reverse Osmosis plant rooms.

We understand that there are people who walk along the cycle and walk path who may not be confident around dogs but we all are responsible owners and ensure that our dogs are well trained and behaved. It is extremely unfair to expect dogs to be on leads at all times, in particular in Pembroke as there are no beaches, roads and the majority of people there are with dogs. It is about the only place in Malta where it is possible to take a dog for a run or a proper walk and by harnessing them to a lead at all times, this is extremely difficult and cruel to the dog. Dogs are after all, a man’s best friend and with responsible owners, which we all are, make wonderful company and are safe.

We would also like to draw your attention also to the fact that at present, the hunting season has started and we have personally witnessed men walking around with shotguns shooting at things that are not far off the ground (I hasten to add, with dogs off leashes). One stray bullet and a lot more damage can be done, rather than a friendly, well trained dog. Do you really think that it is safer to have hunters walking around with loaded shotguns yet keep trained well behaved dogs on leads?

We understand perfectly if the dog is not well trained and has behavioural problems, in that case, we wholeheartedly agree with the policy as this could attack a child or a person, but our dogs are friendly and the most damage they would do to a child is to lick them! Yes there are bad dogs, but there are also bad shots.

Finally, a dog off a leash is also way less dangerous than an overtaking speeding taxi down Triq Il Professur W. Ganado.

We therefore please ask you to reconsider and in return we will try and ensure that all dog walkers collect the mess of their dogs as, as your new signs say, there are no poo fairies.

Yours hopefully,