A DOG Dazer, Mr Graham of King’s Stanley, emits a high note for dogs to hear, rather like the whistle used by shepherds.

It is for training a dog.

However, I am not keen of the name description Dazer as it gives a wrong impression.

It is/was made in the USA.

If a dog bounds towards me ignoring its owner’s calls the animal threatens me, and will either knock me over as it jumps up at me or make my clothes muddy, or both.

One of a gang once bit my bottom, so I bought the Dazer.

I have a right to defend myself, just as shepherds have a right to defend their sheep, but I doubt I would be allowed to use a gun on a wayward dog.

Perhaps a slight change to my previous wording.

It should be obligatory for all dog owners to carry a special dog-training whistle.

I notice that Mr Graham is vague in his references to leading walks, and who exactly filled his head with threatening remarks about why one should avoid defence strategy in regard to dogs, so I can only assume the lengthy detail was that of a dog owner, probably a bad one.

No dog has ever even growled at me for using my defence gadget.

They all prick up their ears in interest and halt at the sound.

Apropos Mr Graham’s leadership comment, I spent 10 years as a Cotswold Warden footpath worker and leader of walks, and have also acted in the same capacity for The Ramblers Association, of which I have been a member for 60 years, a life member for 43 of the 60.

Dogs are not allowed on Ramblers Association guided walks for safety reasons.

Molly Roberts

Stroud