Dog owners in Falmouth hoped to present a petition to the town council this week asking permission to take their pets onto one beach during the summer, despite opposition elsewhere.

The group Castle Beach For Dogs Too, started two weeks ago by Nicola Simons, is hoping to take the petition to town clerk Mark Williams so that it will be debated at the next council meeting on November 3.

The campaign has already collected around 1,000 signatures, with 500 needed to force a debate with councillors, but it has also sparked a backlash from certain quarters.

A counter petition on 38 Degrees, the campaigning website which hosts the original petition, called Let’s Keep Castle Beach Free From Dogs Over The Summer Months, has attracted nearly 50 signatures.

Nicola said: “I remember, when I was a child, dogs going on the beach in the summer, they were part of the family.

“Now a large proportion of the Falmouth community is blocked from going onto the beach, even if it’s just for a swim on a hot day or a walk in the evening.

“I’ve heard so many people complaining about it over the years. I thought enough was enough, I’m going to at least get it discussed and see how much support there is.

“If there’s real ‘anti’ feeling, and the majority say no, then we’ll say ok.

“Bans should be looked at from time to time, because people change, attitudes change, and there are more responsible dog owners now.”

The webpage for the petition states that Castle Beach was chosen after “extensive questioning of local people in the area” as it’s tidal and easy to monitor.

It continues: “We believe it will be an extra asset to Falmouth and encourage more dog friendly visitors to the area too.”

The counter petition website lists several reasons why supporters believe allowing dogs on the beach is a bad idea. It says: “Please keep our beaches free from dogs during the summer months. It’s not the dogs wanting this...it’s the owners.

“It’s not just about the dog mess that has been left behind (even within the last few days.) It’s dogs running around, kicking up sand, arguments it’s going to cause among people, adults getting annoyed with dog owners because the dogs are shaking over them, fouling in the rock pools, going for food....jumping up on their kids.”

At a recent Falmouth Town Council meeting, Councillor Steve Gray, chairman of the beach management committee and owner of the Castle Beach Cafe, said that opinion in the Falmouth area was divided on the matter.

Nicola said: “Steve Gray's wife, the owner of Castle Beach Cafe, is totally anti it. He is a public servant and he is supposed to be sitting on the fence." She added: “I want to get it in before the next town meeting. I think it’s time that people’s voices are heard.”