Do invisible dog fences need regulation?

Laconia resident Marc Burrell is lobbying the city to change its ordinances governing the confinement of dogs, requiring more supervision with invisible electric fences. 

Like in many New Hampshire towns and cities, a dog in Laconia must be confined to private property or kept on a leash.

An invisible electric fence theoretically keeps a dog confined by training the dog with a shock collar whenever the dog approaches the property line. However, an excited dog may still charge straight through an electric fence.

Burrell, a dog owner himself, argues that electric fences therefore shouldn't qualify as confinement. If the dog is outside, the owner should be present to ensure a dog is still under control.

"If people can't control their dogs on their own property, if they are coming out on the street, where am I supposed to walk my dog? Am I supposed to keep him at home and not take him out?"

- Marc Burrell, Laconia resident 

Other opponents of electric fences note that the fences do nothing to stop other dogs or wild animals from challenging a dog on private property.

However, New Hampshire already has laws against any dog that is "a nuisance, a menace, or vicious." Some dog owners argue that local laws should focus on punishing dog owners for this behavior rather than passing more restrictions for all dog owners. After all, some well-trained dogs are completely well-behaved and docile, even off-leash.

Do you think local laws should require an owner to supervise a dog outside if there is only an electric fence on the property? Share your opinion in the comments below.