You want to pat the cute looking ones but may not be sure if you’ll end up bitten or with a great slob of salvia on your hand.

The new government dog register (see story on page 5) has revealed that in the first three months of 2009 there was, on average, almost one dog attack every week in the Wingecarribee - but half of those were dogs attacking chickens, not people.

No one likes being barked at by a vicious dog, but like most animals they are merely staking their territory or trying to attract attention.

A bit like how it gets before an election.

Council rangers are often viewed as the evil bureaucrat hell bent on exacting revenue by dog owners who are fined for not cleaning up after their dogs or not restraining them in public.

Attacks earlier this year where children were mauled to death by dogs they knew well shows that, despite the label of “man’s best friend”, any dog can turn on those who care for them.

Dangerous dogs are usually destroyed after a serious attack, but should there be a restriction on which types of dogs are bred to stop the senseless loss of life in the first place?

Dog owners would cry foul, that their pet wouldn’t harm anyone, but most people have had a moment or two when they felt uncomfortable around a mean-looking, growling, snarling dog.

Dogs need to exercise but letting them lose in public places is too much of labiality these days.

Unless you are walking a toothless, legless dog, then keeping it on a lead is the best way to ensure no harm comes to any unsuspecting member of the public - unless you’re a tree in Corbett Plaza.

Yes, pets are great, but attacks on people are definitely not. Owners must be responsible for their animals - at all times, and in all cases.