I am a dog lover, but I actually think there are few places where it is really acceptable to take one. Parks - maybe, but always on a leash. Obviously taking for walks around suburbs etc - but only if well controlled and if the owner picks up after them.

Markets/shops etc - no.

The other day I saw a poor lady with a young girl on a bike and a baby in a pram being chased by a rottweiler that some idiot had let loose at a park. The lady was walking her kids near the park and the dog ran from the park to chase them. The woman was rightly TERRIFIED and I was equally terrified for her, trying to work out how I could help if it attacked. Luckily it ended up running back to the owner. I've had to leave parks many times with DS because someone has come and let their dog run loose.

Even if a person thinks their dog is the cutest, tamest, most harmless thing, animals are still unpredictable, and some people also just want to go about their business without dealing with someone else's dog.

I probably sound harsh, and as I said I do love dogs, I just think people need to be more considerate of everyone around them.