My family and I saw a woman with her dog in the children's play area of Joseph Hood recreation ground in Martin Way, Merton Park. The sign on the play area gate says 'No dogs'. There is a £1000 fine if you bring a dog into the children's play area, but who is enforcing that penalty I ask because I have never seen a park warden keeping an eye on things. Perhaps this park needs some local investment to make it safer and to bring it up to the standard of Sir Joseph Hood Memorial Ground in Motspur Park which has won the green flag award for the past few years now.

Some dogs may not look threatening to you but to a two year old toddler I am sure that any dog could look like a threat.

With so many reports of dog attacks isn't it time that all dog owners should have to register for a special licence to own a dog in the same way that you have to possess a licence to own a gun and for known dangerous dogs a stringent home office licence should have to be obtained.

Based on information supplied by Jonty Roman.