Make it an offence to allow off-lead dogs to approach dogs on leads without permission. Dogs may be on leads because they are nervous, reactive, elderly, injured, in training or assistance dogs. Unwanted approaches can cause stress, injury, training setbacks and dog fights.

Many dog owners have experienced off-lead dogs running over without invitation, including dogs that are aggressive, poorly controlled or have no recall. These situations can cause fear, injury, conflict and training setbacks. Owners whose dogs have previously been attacked or frightened may also feel anxious when unfamiliar dogs approach. This change could promote responsible ownership and help prevent avoidable incidents.