Packet readers divided on beach dog ban

7:00am Sunday 14th October 2012 in News

READERS of the Packet remain divided over whether dog owners should be allowed to walk their dogs on the town’s beaches throughout the year.

A poll held on the Packet website thepacket.co.uk revealed 70 per cent of people would like to see dogs have access to the shoreline in the winter months - with 18 per cent wanting to see them allowed on all year round.

However, 30 per cent would like to see them banned throughout the year.

Many readers took the chance to have their say in the comments section of the website.

Falmouth’s Steve Eva wrote: “I totally agree with banning dogs from beaches in the summer but would have the 1st week in May rather than Easter day the starting date.

“Easter can be as early as mid March and apart from dog walkers the beaches are empty. Some cafes etc rely on these people for custom. “If somehow we had a heat wave early a local bye-law could be brought in to daily ban dogs if the beaches were crowded.

“Yes I am a dog owner and enjoy walking her on the beach.”

Mr B Taylor, of Falmouth, wrote: “I do find the dog situation in Falmouth and Cornwall very depressing.

“Not just the dog mess every few yards on the coastal path, or the little plastic bags of dog mess dangling from trees or thrown into hedges, but the way that dog owners seem to think their pets can’t be very threatening and/or dangerous to children.

“My son is terrified of dogs after being rounded on and nipped by collies (one of my least favourite breeds).

“I know people find companionship from these animals and I understand that. “My issue is that ownership is seen as some kind of ‘right’, while forgetting that there is a responsibility attached.”

Barrington Forbes-Smythe added: “Too many dog owners think strangers should somehow tolerate their dogs jumping up on them and generally bothering them, growling/barking at them, or at worst actually attacking them.

“I understand the companionship issue in owning a dog, but I've never really got why so many people seem to have a dog in order to motivate themselves to go walking in beauty spots.

“Surely these places are worth walking in in their own right, without needing the duty of exercising the pet pooch to justify it?

“There are so many people walking dogs in such places, not having one with me when I go walking almost makes me feel like some sort of weirdo outcast.

“It’s sad that we humans in modern society are sometimes so isolated that, if we didn't have our pooch to exercise, we'd have no excuse for getting out the house and would maybe become virtual recluses.”

Comments(25)

Gill Zella Martin says...
10:23am Sun 14 Oct 12

Many tourism brochures advocate that pet owners visit particular beaches that are dog friendly. If dogs were banned all year on beaches it would likely have an adverse affect on tourism in Cornwall. I believe that dogs should additionally be allowed on beaches in the summer after 18:00 hours.

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steve eva says...
10:49am Sun 14 Oct 12

I am afraid I would have to disagree with the comment placed by GIll.
Many people tend to go to the beaches after work in the summer and enjoy a late swim or a BBQ this In my mind is not the time to be walking the dog on the beach.
would however be open to the idea that a beach if one of many like Falmouth is selected as a dog friendly beach and that then could be used by dog walkers. The only trouble with that would be that that beach would have to be cleaned before use of bathers the next day.
I still reckon as a dog owner that dog bans from May Day until the end of September is the right action and fair too all.

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BeachBod says...
12:35pm Sun 14 Oct 12

I am one of the 30 %, and for those who want to know why, just go to the beach on any sunny winters day. It resembles a wc for dogs, it's disgusting. Its just a place for lazy dog owners, saves them picking up the mess their dogs leave behind.

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steve eva says...
12:51pm Sun 14 Oct 12

BeachBod there are those who drink to excess and smokers who drop cigarette butts all over the place. There are those who enjoy a drink and smoke who have full respect for others shall we ban smoking and drinking all together.
I am the first to admit there are those who do not clear up after their dogs but there are many more who do. Why should people and dogs suffer because of those who have no respect for others.
I do however understand totally your fustration with those who do not clear up their dogs mess.

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BeachBod says...
2:16pm Sun 14 Oct 12

Steve Eva, Perhaps you should go to the beach and see how many clean up after their dogs. Perhaps maybe take a note of the numbers. I think you will be surprised and maybe realise that it is infact the majority who fail to clean up after their animals. Drinking is banned in the streets in central Falmouth for the very reason of the inconsiderate few.
On a personal note, I am more disturbed by treading in dog mess than stepping on a fag butt any day of the week. Maybe its just a hygene thing.

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Gill Zella Martin says...
2:17pm Sun 14 Oct 12

Steve, I was actually refering to after 18:00 hours during the summer according to the weather conditions, I suppose I should have made that clear.
BeachBod, there are also people that leave discarded barbeques on the beach amongst other things. However we do not ban people. I think it is unfair to generalise by saying it is just a place for lazy dog owners.
If we start to ban everything in life then we would be banning all motorists just because of the irresponsible minority that drink and drive.

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BeachBod says...
3:29pm Sun 14 Oct 12

Gill, as I suggested to Steve, perhaps a proper survey of the beach and its use, observed and measured would reveal whether barbeques are the issue, or dog muck and lazy owners. Or perhaps just enforce the current rules, whish are often ignored by local owners in the height of the summer. Any reminder to them that even early in the morning is not allowed with dogs, is usually met with a foul mouthed response.
As for after 18.00 depending on weather, who decides on the weather? Just asking for more trouble if you ask me.

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Gill Zella Martin says...
4:07pm Sun 14 Oct 12

BeachBod, yes I conceed, you are right, it was a stupid idea about after 18:00 because it would leave it open to dispute about the weather.
Plus the fact I go swimming sometimes when the weather is bad, so why on earth I suggested that I actually have no idea.

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steve eva says...
8:03pm Sun 14 Oct 12

Gill at least you sparked a sensible debate where everyone kept to the subject and I completely understand beachbod and his or her point. I still believe the majority pick up but each of us are entitled to their opinion.
Keep posting Gill I enjoy reading your contribution.

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meerkats says...
9:37am Mon 15 Oct 12

Beachbod think its an unfair comment that beaches are a place for lazy dog owners. there are some responsible owners out there but they seem to be outnumbered by irresponsible ones it seems, if you see someone failing to pick up mess ask them to clean up. until there are dog patrols doing regular checks in all areas this problem will never be resolved. . instant fines would be a good start.

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meerkats says...
9:44am Mon 15 Oct 12

incidentally we do have a dog and clean up after him without fail wherever we are..

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Jonesy15 says...
2:36pm Mon 15 Oct 12

Beachbod.....'It's just a place for lazy dog owners'?? Wow! You really do hate dogs & their owners! The vast majority of dog owners pick up after their dog, me for one! I can assure you I am not a lazy dog owner....quite the opposite!!

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BeachBod says...
2:47pm Mon 15 Oct 12

Jonsey15, I have no hatred for any dog or owner. As for "the vast majority" doing the right thing? We will have to agree to disagree.
It would appear that myself and meerkats disagree with you on who is in the majority. As I have suggested, perhaps a survey would set this to rest. As for asking the culprit to pick up their dogs mess, well that ususlly ends up with a mouthful of abuse. Dog patrols with enforceable fines would be a good start.

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meerkats says...
3:10pm Mon 15 Oct 12

Beachbod after i posted the comment re asking the owners to pick up i thought it was a silly suggestion as you arent safe to confront anyone these days,so i take that back. But please dont tar all owners with the same brush, the irresponsible ones know who they are and after reading articles like this should prompt them into action and one day hopefully the responsible owners will outnumber them. i didnt pick up at all that you are a dog and owner hater, just the mess that they leave which is understandablke !!

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meerkats says...
3:11pm Mon 15 Oct 12

should have read understandable

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BeachBod says...
6:27pm Mon 15 Oct 12

meerkats, I would love not to tar with the same brush, but in the past few weeks it has become something of a joke on Falmouth beaches. I'm afraid to say that from my observation, it is the majority that leave the mess on the beach. I can only say what I see. Often the owners will give the impression that they are cleaning up, have a quick look round and if they think no one is watching, they leave it there and move on.
I am very fond of dogs, but not to the point where enjoyment of the beach is denied. On the point or approaching a dog owner and reminding them of their responsibility? I'd advise to refrain from that course of action.
On the subject of surveys, this one from March this year indicates the issue is getting worse http://www.countryfi
le.com/news/dog-poo-
bags-and-other-plast
ics-blighting-britis
h-beaches

..and no mention of bbq's...

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BeachBod says...
6:29pm Mon 15 Oct 12

..and don't get me started on the little "bags of goodies" in the bushes all along the coastal path. Its not as if the dogs can put them there, some human thinks its OK to do that!..:-)

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meerkats says...
7:32pm Mon 15 Oct 12

i agree once its picked up the bags should be placed in the bins provided., . just wish people would realise that its all part of responsible dog ownership .

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victoriameldrew says...
8:51pm Mon 15 Oct 12

BeachBod wrote:
Steve Eva, Perhaps you should go to the beach and see how many clean up after their dogs. Perhaps maybe take a note of the numbers. I think you will be surprised and maybe realise that it is infact the majority who fail to clean up after their animals. Drinking is banned in the streets in central Falmouth for the very reason of the inconsiderate few.
On a personal note, I am more disturbed by treading in dog mess than stepping on a fag butt any day of the week. Maybe its just a hygene thing.
I totally disagree that it is the majority who DON'T pick up after their dogs - what a ridiculous thing to say - all of the people I know with dogs do pick up - as usual you are talking absolute rubbish

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BeachBod says...
12:32pm Tue 16 Oct 12

victoriameldrew wrote:
BeachBod wrote:
Steve Eva, Perhaps you should go to the beach and see how many clean up after their dogs. Perhaps maybe take a note of the numbers. I think you will be surprised and maybe realise that it is infact the majority who fail to clean up after their animals. Drinking is banned in the streets in central Falmouth for the very reason of the inconsiderate few.
On a personal note, I am more disturbed by treading in dog mess than stepping on a fag butt any day of the week. Maybe its just a hygene thing.
I totally disagree that it is the majority who DON'T pick up after their dogs - what a ridiculous thing to say - all of the people I know with dogs do pick up - as usual you are talking absolute rubbish
victoriameldrew , I was on the beach this morning in the sunshine, I did a quick survey my self. In the half hour I was there I observed 20 dog owners. Only 5 cleaned up after their pets.
Perhaps I was just unfortunate that I did not meet the dog owners you know, but I dont think so.
You can disagree with my views, call then rubbish if you wish, but please don't be so obstinate as to disagree with the facts!

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meerkats says...
1:13pm Tue 16 Oct 12

victoriameldrew you shouldnt accuse someone of talking absolute rubbish just because people you know pick up after their dogs. obviously BeachBod has their own opinion and facts if their survey this morning was anything to go by. i think you two are going to have to agree to disagree on this.

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victoriameldrew says...
3:40pm Tue 16 Oct 12

how do we know that beachbod is telling the truth about only 5 picking up? He/she comes across as being a doghater - this isn't the first time he/she has been on here stirring up - they say they are not dog haters but, to me, they clearly are. Why didn't he/she confront the so called 15 who didn't pick up? Still does not ring true to me and I stand by my opinion that this person us just talking rubbish and just likes to stir things up. End of argument as far as I am concerned - as you say we will just have to agree to disagree

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BeachBod says...
2:13pm Wed 17 Oct 12

victoriameldrew wrote:
how do we know that beachbod is telling the truth about only 5 picking up? He/she comes across as being a doghater - this isn't the first time he/she has been on here stirring up - they say they are not dog haters but, to me, they clearly are. Why didn't he/she confront the so called 15 who didn't pick up? Still does not ring true to me and I stand by my opinion that this person us just talking rubbish and just likes to stir things up. End of argument as far as I am concerned - as you say we will just have to agree to disagree
I have no need to lie about what I see, which is what you seem to be accusing me of. I spent the afternoon at the beach cafe on Gilly yesterday, same scene, the majority of dog owners leaving theit mess on the beach.
As I mentioned earlier, any time I have approached dog owners and suggested they clean up after their pets I am met with a mouthful of abuse. I think I'll leave it for the dog wardens, where ever they are.
Its not the poor dogs I blame, its the disgusting owners. As for hate, I'll leave that for you and your tone of response.

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CousinJack says...
7:46pm Wed 17 Oct 12

There is a simple answer to dog fouling of beaches, parks, etc, doggy nappies.
If dog owners wish to walk their companions in public places these should be made compulsory. After all if I or my child defecated on the sand, abd I simply cleaned up the doings afterwards would you want to lie on the sand and sunbathe?

Dog owners are frequently blind to the nuisance their pets cause, scaring children, barking in the back garden at night. We have to ask ourselves with the density of population in the UK do we have enough amenity space to accomodate outdoor pets and people.

With regard to tourism, I would wager that very few non-holiday home owners bring a dog with them on their hols.

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THORQUIP says...
12:22pm Thu 18 Oct 12

Here we are again. The obstinate dog-owners refusing to accept that there is a very real problem. All your blethering and whingeing about dog haters etc, and how you are a little goody-two-shoes, does not get around the fact that this situation is no longer acceptable, in a civilised society, and that, to date, no methods employed have solved the problem. It is now high time for drastic measures and the only one that is cheaply and effectively enforceable is a ban. It is regrettable but inevitable. I look forward to the full measure of the law being brought to bear on an irresponsible dog owner, "pour encourage les autres", but I am not holding my breath. I like a drink but many irresponsible drinkers have caused there to be many restrictions placed upon such activities. I understand this and accept it. Dog owners need to do the same, regarding their activities.

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