I SOMETIMES run round Meyrick Park at lunchtime. Many people walk their dogs in Meyrick Park, and most of the dogs are well-behaved, but most days when I run at least one dog will jump up at me aggressively.

Today one jumped up and scratched and bit at my arm.

When I politely suggested to the owner that it would be a good idea if she stopped her dog doing this, and that if she couldn’t control the dog it should be on a lead, she became quite irate.

Does anyone know the legal situation here? I know that dogs have to walk/run/deposit somewhere, but are their owners obliged to stop them aggressing people?

Are they committing an assault if they don’t?

Presumably dog owners will say that their dogs have as much right to use the park as I do, and fair enough, but does that give the dogs the right to snap at runners?

TIM WEIR, Lorne Park Road, Bournemouth