Last week, Việt Nam News asked its readers about their opinion the Hà Nội’s authority recent order that dogs must be muzzled while in public places with their owners especially on pedestrian streets around Hoàn Kiếm Lake

Here are some of your comments.

Phương Linh, Hanoian

Despite calling myself one of the extreme dog lovers who would do anything to offer my pets a comfortable life, I completely support the regulation that stipulates the use of muzzles for dogs in public places - but just for certain dog races. Why? The most essential and important thing is that dog owners should understand their pets thoroughly before letting them go out. Pet dogs are among the most intelligent, beautiful and beloved species known to mankind. To make them feel joy going out - while ensuring safety for people around - is the owners’ responsibility.

Dogs that are commonly raised and beloved as pets - such as Poodles, Chihuahuas, Duchsunds, Pugs and Pekingesese - it is not really needed to apply a muzzle, because they would never be aggressive or readily bite passersby who do not provoke them.

However, it is very necessary to have those muzzle dogs such as Pit bulls, Bergers or Tibetan Mastiffs, because some of them have origins with high tempers or have very aggressive fighting natural instincts that sometimes are made worse with bad training from their owners.

I once witnessed a Pit bull dog bite a small poodle and cause seriously injures to the small dog. The Pit bull was not wearing a muzzle and his owner was unable to control him. The killer dog was caught biting a person before, but his owner also did nothing to calm him down. In this case, many condemned the owner and called him a very bad trainer to death. I myself thought he was the killer himself.

Actually, through many video clips depicting dog attacks that are shared widely on social networks, I feel it is unacceptable to let such dogs go out without muzzles. I appeal for owners to have their dogs wear muzzles while going out if they find that the dogs are prone to attacks humans and others dogs.

I also call for authorities tostrictly punish those owners whose dogs bite humans or even others dogs while going out.  

Nguyễn Thu Hằng, Hanoian

My family often visits walking streets around Hoàn Kiếm Lake during weekends.

The street is always crowded, as it attracts many local residents and tourists. It’s truly a public space for young children to play, walk, take pictures and enjoy fresh air.

In my opinion, the regulation that dogs must be muzzled on the street is a necessary one.  

I love pets. However, the fact that many people take big dogs with them while strolling on the street makes me feel uneasy.

Dogs, especially very big ones, can be cruel and dangerous. I remember one video clip posted on Facebook in which a man in Hà Nội was bitten by four dogs while he was taking them for a walk. Luckily he survived with the help of a neighbour.

I don’t think it’s a problem to wear muzzles for dogs while going out because they are available in many places. You can choose one that suitable to your pet. You’ll find how important it is once a dog does harm to someone.

Lê Đăng Nam, reader

I agree with city authority’s decision that dogs must wear muzzles on Hà Nội’s pedestrian streets.

To ensure security for everyone as well as to create image of a clean and elegant city for visitors, it is better to ban dogs entering the streets like the one imposed on Nguyễn Huệ walking street of HCM City.

Due to a lack of awareness, dog owners do not control defecation and their dogs dirty the streets.

Last week, while walking around Hoàn Kiếm lake with my nephew, I saw a lot of dogs which don’t have muzzles there.

Because my nephew was afraid of big dogs, I sometimes had to carry him on my back.

The appearance of big dogs has kept us from enjoying our leisure time, as we were frightened by them.

Anonymous South African reader

No. The regulation being proposed is too drastic. The level of regulation should suit the problem that you are trying to solve. It would be better if authorities made it clear that when being walked in public places all dogs should be on leashes, and then enforce that regulation.

Leashes, not muzzles!! — VNS