I READ with horror the article about the swan being killed by a loose dog (Echo May 3).

I live near to the river at Tuckton where responsible dog owners walk their pets early morning or evening.

Over the Easter weekend, the area around the Tea gardens was awash with loose dogs.

Not only were they fouling the picnic areas and chasing the wildlife, to the horror of young families, a fight amongst loose dogs broke out on the quay where people with children were waiting for the Tuckton ferry.

I have been a dog owner in the past, but the present laws where dogs are allowed to run amok need to be changed and irresponsible owners fined heavily.

LINDA ROSE, Broadlands Avenue, Tuckton