Who let the dogs out?

[Earl Aelfheah]

I was having a picnic in Dulwich park today with some mums and babies and three dogs attacked our picnic and ate our food. The 'professional' dog walker who was supposedly in charge of them apologised, but did virtually nothing to stop them (except shouting, which set one of the kids off crying). After they had finally left us alone, yet another, unrealted dog came over and nicked a scotch egg. What the hell is going on? Do people not use leads anymore. Should I have my picnics in Catford in future?

[ianr]

Do professional dog walkers usually have public liability insurance?

[dv1]

Don't think so. Not for Scotch Egg theft anyway.

[first mate]

No not for a scotch egg, but they do have to be insured. I'd look out for said dog walker and have a word with her/him- They may work for a larger company. It is their responsibility to keep dogs in their charge under control. They should have seen that a group of you were sitting together and avoided you- totally their fault in my view.

Plus those of us who are responsible dog owners get miffed when incidents like this ratchet up anti-dog feeling. I've noticed more people proffering their services as dog walkers recently and one does have to wonder if some of them are properly qualified or even know much about dogs.