WHERE I live, every day when I am walking my dogs, I have to scan the area to avoid running into stupid, hooded dog owners playing with their mobile phones while their Staffies are intimidating my dogs and I am treading on egg shells to avoid any aggression jumping up on me from the owner or their unleashed dogs.

Okay, then, it’s not the dog’s fault?

Tell me then: is it the fault of the victims who die or are injured in such an attack as we saw in Colchester last week?

Dangerous dogs are a weapon in the hands of inexperienced owners.

Every dog can bite - chihuahua, poodle or spaniel. The difference is, they don’t kill.

I am fed up with silly comments or excuses about Staffordshire bull terriers.

The law has an obligation to protect vulnerable, innocent citizens.

Of course, the politicians are living in their great country houses, not in an area where unemployment and alcohol reigns among youngsters.

Dangerous dogs belong on a lead, at least, under absolute control, not roaming and uncontrolled.

If you still try to excuse incidents like this with “it’s not the dogs fault”, then put the owners down.

How many more children have to be injured or even die until the laws are changed regarding potentially dangerous dogs? From February 2014 until March last year, 1,200 incidents of dog attacks have been reported.

Why doesn’t anybody feel responsible like in other European Countries where strict dog laws prevent or at least minimize these kind of tragedies.

Greenstead resident Name and address not supplied

  • MoD must do more to protect fields

This is all that remains of a seat in Abbey Fields, Colchester where many people used to rest, chat or simply lean back and enjoy the sunshine.

Gazette:

Vandals have wrenched out the back slats and top bar.

All that remains is the base which, no doubt, the yobs will soon smash to pieces.

It’s sad that a seat which gave pleasure to so many has been destroyed by a mindless few.

Needless to say, they delight in ripping branches off trees in the surrounding area and leaving a mound of bottles, cans, sandwich wrappers and pizza boxes.

Abbey Fields is owned by the Ministry of Defence.

Surely they can do something to defend their property against such loutish behaviour.

B Bowering Berechurch Road, Colchester

  • Carving would not offend in gallery

Regarding the Crucifixion of Mankind carving removed from Colchester Library, if we can no longer confront challenging works of art in public spaces, perhaps this work should be placed in the VAF (Firstsite).

Nobody would see it there and they certainly have plenty of available space.

Paul Stickland Harsnett Road, Colchester

  • Banner was a petty and childish act

Regarding Mr Rossini, I am disgusted at the banner put up entitled “Rossini shut up” which was hung off the building site fence in Dovercourt where Mr Rossini is having a bit of a ding dong.

It was not only a childish thing to do but also a narrow minded hurtful piece of graffiti.

I hope the council or relevant authorities look at it.

Mr Rossini may not be everyone’s cup of tea but I’m behind him on this matter.

Kevin Cook Ashley Road, Harwich

  • Ex-landlords are backing pub bid

We are pleased you featured the campaign to save The Cross Inn in Great Bromley but may we correct one small error in your report.

Richard and Brenda Perry, landlords of The Cross for many years, retired five years ago and sold the pub as a going concern.

It was their successor who closed the pub in 2015 and sold the site for land development.

Richard and Brenda are stalwart members of the Save the Bromley Cross campaign bringing their extensive knowledge and experience to reopening this much loved village pub.

Visit greatbromleycross.org.uk to support the campaign.

Nick Strowbridge Share co-ordinator Save the Bromley Cross Inn Ardleigh Road, Great Bromley