We have a little black scruffy dog, to be honest its cyclists and joggers that are the problem !
I say cyclists, but I mean those arse dragging scrotes on brakeless BMX's, smoking a fag riding on the pavement, one of which nearly rode over the dog the other day trying to get past and the female jogger that came from behind and stood on the dog, the dog let out a huge yelp and limped for a couple of days, she didnt say a thing, no apology, the dog was walking close to me and was fairly visible (street lights), I could understand if she apologised but the bitch just kept running. Same week some clown with a Dalmation and A Wiemeraner managed to let his Weimeraner attack ours, he got arsey when I shouted to get it under control, our little fart wast getting savaged and he didn tlike the way I spoke to him, he didnt realise that at that point I was picking the kids up from a Scout camp and was armed with a Penknife and his dog nearly got its jugular split, having lost one dog to another attackign it, it isnt hapenning again.
I did put an LED on his lead but the little sod bit it off so I need to attach it better, my point being is that if he is on a short lead I shouldnt have cyclists and joggers treading on him.
Agree on the long leads, personally I find most dog owners very accomodating and I understand the need on paths to let them off to explore, maybe not cycle paths but bridal ways etc, I just wait until I know what it is doing and proceed slowly, I dont want to hurt me or someones pet.