David Boden s letter (February 19) regarding dog fouling was a welcome oasis of calm common sense amidst the hysterical calls to ban dogs from all their favourite places just because an antisocial minority of owners do not clear up. It would be ludicrous

David Boden's letter (February 19) regarding dog fouling was a welcome oasis of calm common sense amidst the hysterical calls to ban dogs from all their favourite places just because an antisocial minority of owners do not clear up. It would be ludicrous to ban cars just because a few drivers are dangerous, or to ban children from supermarkets because some scream their way from entrance to checkout. The countryside is not an antiseptic environment and must be approached accordingly - mud, manure and dog mess all wash off easily; we're not talking nuclear waste here. And the dog walkers are out 365 days a year, in all weathers, unlike those complaining about them. Those who shout the loudest (always anonymously, strangely) should stop to consider how their views make the responsible majority of dog owners feel. Donna Parker-Rees,56a Salterton Road, Exmouth.