[Margaret Pilkington]

I think the good owners see themselves as such and don't really want to be regulated.
They don't see the need as they 'police' themselves.......and they know that licenses mean absolutely nothing, because no-one will police them. It will feel like a stealth tax, at a time when many people are feeling the pinch...especially those on fixed incomes.

I know this is a huge generalisation, but I think many of the young men with what look like Staffie type dogs...are probably not working, would not pay any fines that unlicensed animals might accrue, and is it really fair to condemn a dog to death because it has a bad owner? It is not the fault of the dog.
My mum has a little papillon dog....rescued. He never goes out of the house unless he is on the lead, and for toilet purposes uses the backyard.......which Ma then swills using her outside water supply.
I'm not saying that Ma would not pay for a license, but why should she be penalised when she takes care of her animal appropriately.
It is the same old story the law abiding owners pay for the sins of the bad owners......and do you really think it would cut down on events like this?