SIR - Re your article about dangerous dogs (T&A, September 12), my sister and I have two Japanesse Akitas.

The problem around my area is people let their dogs off the lead to roam free. I must see about four or five dogs off the lead when I'm out walking my dogs.

We have had our dogs from puppies and they have been brought up around my daughter and socialised with people.

The problem is that other people don't do that. They chain them up in gardens, use them as guard dogs and, I suppose, neglect them to a certain extent.

Any dog wandering the streets should be collected by wardens and the owners fined. If a dog is on the lead then there is no reason why anyone or anything should get hurt.

The main problem is the small dogs which run wild because owners don't think they will hurt anyone. My dogs are powerful, so imagine trying to restrain them from defending against these yappy dogs?

I would like to see fines introduced for any dog found roaming the streets. Also a hot line number to report these dogs.

Craig Marsden, New Toftshaw, East Bierley