HE was having a whale of a time; the young English Pointer belonging to one rather loud, plump, red-faced estate agent was careering around the waiting room without a care in the world.

While his owner waxed eloquent to the poor person sitting next to him about open plan kitchens, colour schemes, closing dates and schedules, the Pointer was running riot, causing havoc amongst the assembled throng of French bulldogs, collies and labradors, all of whom were safely secured on leads and attached to their attentive owners.

Alarmed by the marauding canine delinquent, a few tried to jump into their owners' arms, creating even more unrest and anxiety.

Meanwhile, the estate agent was in full flow, having somehow seamlessly yet noisily moved from business talk to giving an impromptu cookery class, so that his neighbour was now hearing about how to do the best Thai red prawn curry ever. (It’s the coconut milk and ginger that’s vital, you see.)

Not entirely what you want to listen to, as you wait patiently for your dog to be vaccinated.

Some people do it with their children too, don't they? They just allow them free rein to do whatever they want, wherever they want. Thus, in restaurants all over the country, waiters juggle hot coffees and full plates, silently praying they don't spill them on the three year old who is constantly under their feet, while its parents get on with eating their dinner, seemingly oblivious to the consternation and danger.

On planes, passengers sit and smoulder, as the back of their seat is kicked and children run up and down the aisle with impunity, air stewards dodging them repeatedly. Why sometimes even at the vets, drawers are opened, stethoscopes are played with and computer keys are tapped, as parents adopt a ‘whatever can you do with the little darlings?’ attitude.

Like all of his ilk, the estate agent didn't think his dog was doing any harm. You can hear him saying, ‘Oh, don't worry, he is just a big kid. He wouldn't hurt anyone.’ But that's not the point.

There is reason we have a sign in the waiting room requesting that all dogs are restrained on a lead and all cats are kept in a secure carrier.

For most sensible people, it is pretty obvious that some dogs don't appreciate having their space invaded. Fear aggression can precede carnage. And guess who gets the blame when a frightened canine snaps in the face of a ‘playful’ pup?

Most cats don't like to have a hot, inquisitive, nosey muzzle pressed against the door of their box. Similarly, there is not a vet in the country that wants to examine a patient who is needlessly anxious or, worse, have an apprehensive animal bolt out the waiting room door onto the street.

So the receptionists, at risk of causing great offence, do what they have to do and politely request that the Pointer is put on a lead or taken outside. ‘Oh he's fine’, said the estate agent. But he's really, really not.