Is it just ME?

Or are professional dog walkers a menace?

Why have a ruddy dog at all if you’re going to subcontract all the care?

IT SEEMS every time I step outside my front door, there’s a pack of six dogs barking along the pavement, flattening me against my garden wall.

The fact they’re on leashes held by a man in all-weather gear is no comfort. He is not walking those dogs, they are dragging him along. They are but one cat away from mutiny.

I am not a doggie person, but in ones and twos, when accompanied by a wellbehaved owner, I tolerate them. Multiply them into a husky team and I want to call for the dog catcher.

But they’re dog walkers, a friend explains. They’re caring for them. Where’s the care in shoving a load of different sized dogs together? It’s not exercise, it’s suburban terror!

The only thing worse than a load of dogs on leashes is a load of dogs off leashes. Mid-stroll, you’re surrounded by tongue-lolling woofers. Even if some are handbag-sized in purple hoodies, it’s still alarming.

Around my way, there are even dog cyclists who ride along the side of the road, chariot-style, holding strings of baying hounds.

Some people agree with me. Gosport council in Hampshire is to impose a limit of four dogs going walkies with one person, while Richmond-upon-Thames is to reduce its maximum from six to four.

Four seems generous. Even three is a handful and, depending on the breed, quite intimidating.

Rottweilers don’t get any more appealing in trios, especially when they’re at pushchair level.

Dog charity The Kennel Club is aghast at local authorities introducing limits to how many dogs one person is allowed to walk — but why have a ruddy dog at all if you’re going to subcontract all the care?

Walk your own dogs, one at a time. And If you’re at work all day, get a cat instead.