You like to live in a "nice, clean and friendly" environment yet, knowing the response you were likely to get still insisted on having it out with a "thuggish" dog owner? Is that not provoking an unpleasant environment and going against what you are aiming for? I assume you didn't just stand there saying nothing in reply to the verbal "abuse"? I agree dog owners should be responsible for the animals mess and good for you for approaching a wrong doer but sometimes such actions can make a situation worse - as you described with the response you had received. I wouldn't agree with the attitude that people such as this think it's acceptable to allow dog fouling but more a case of they can't be bothered to clear up the mess. You mention prosecution? Of what kind would you think was acceptable? What really did you think the police would do when you called them? They weren't there to witness the scene. If they had have been what would the chances have been for getting a telling off yourself for creating a scene. I appreciate your point here being if we let people off for the smaller crimes... stand up against those that openly do wrong... the move to stop crime... make an example... blah blah blah But really... people will still get away with it and I'm not too sure you yourself (I mean no offense here) practise what you preach - "disregard to good behaviour" of which you were "incensed" to approach someone you didn't know, that you described as "thuggish", not knowing what the end result would have been. What would have happened if the "thug" had set his dog on you? Or pulled a knife/weapon? Did you think before acting? No I'm not suggesting nothing should have been done but you could have put yourself and others at risk too. Social responsibility...