kingtubby Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I have to agree with Alan here, if I am out > running on the common and get attacked by a dog am > I within my rights to defend myself by all means > possible? ie to prevent getting bitten can I pick > up the nearest heavy object etc > > As for Keef's point, the common land is for the > enjoyment of all people not just dog owners. Seriously, how often do you hear about runners getting bitten? It's East Dulwich, not Baskervilles! I completely agree that the common land is for all people. However, if there were something there that I was scared of, I'd simply stay away... I'm not comparing kids to dogs here, and I'm not anti kids. However, if I didn't want to be surrounded by kids running around, I'd simply avoid the park and the coffee shops >:D< Maybe the way forward is compromise.... The perimeter of Dulwich Park has always been the dog run, and it's not the nicest bit of the park, so I wouldn't really want my kids playing there... Why not let dogs run there, and them put them on the lead if going in to the centre of the park (within the sand horse track)... In fact, I thought that was the rule... Seems fair. Then if someone let there kid run around on the dog run, they'd know the risks, and couldn't really moan if anything happened (which it wouldn't)! :))