this week is starting off with what i can only assume is a sinus infection, so that’s not ideal. i’m also down two grandparents, which likewise is not ideal
sounds like leash-free zones to me with voice control! most public places in the states are leash required. those that aren’t require dogs to be under voice control, which it sounds like your dogs are doing a great job of.
here (in the states) letting a dog off leash is really inadvisable because there are too many risks (cars, other unruly dogs, etc.). i’ve never felt like it was animal cruelty since we have plenty of places to run around in safe zones, like a big yard or dog parks. i also train my dogs for agility competition, and none of the dogs i know are allowed off leash unless it’s a fenced in area.
could totally be a cultural thing. in the rural areas in the states, it’s much different. my childhood dogs were rarely on leash because cars weren’t a danger and we had 36 acres for them to run around.