Sir,
I was fortunate enough to be able to spend a few days in Saundersfoot between Christmas and New Year with my family. During each holiday we spend there, my four-year-old son and myself enjoy spending many hours on the beach at Coppet Hall, in rain and sun, fog and frost, investigating rock pools, playing in the stream, building sandcastles and so on.
However, our innocent enjoyment is often disturbed by the large number of dogs who appear on the beach, accompanied by their owners and also intent on enjoying this beautiful little part of the world. I have waited until now to write this letter as I wanted to reflect on my opinions. Was I being fair in what I was thinking? Your readers can decide if I describe what happened. The scene is not a 'one- off,' as I have witnessed it many times, and I'll leave you to make up your own minds on whether it is acceptable or not.
My son was busy collecting seaweed to decorate his latest castle, as the tide gradually advanced up the beach. Suddenly three dogs appeared and began circling him and the castle. I told him to stand still and moved myself the three yards to his side. We stood as the dogs circled us. They did not growl or bark and were not concerned about us beyond idle curiosity.
However, as I began to look for their owners, I noticed that were now about a dozen loose dogs roaming the sands. Some sniffed each other, several found suitable places to relieve themselves among the pebbles and driftwood, others chased each other. All the while, owners wandered about, some carrying their little 'warm' plastic bags, others steadfastly refusing to watch their pet leaving 'a bit of something extra' for the careless to step in. The dogs began to gather in groups of four or more, gleefully ignoring the calls of their masters.
Eventually, after about half-an-hour, most of the owners had gone, their dogs following them back to the car for a long rest on their way home. We carried on as before, but now being more careful about the seaweed collected and treading more carefully. We had been polite, pretending that we didn't mind stray dogs running around us, pretending that we didn't see the beach being polluted, pretending that we didn't feel nervous about these packs of dogs ignoring their owners' commands.
We will be back on the beach as soon as we can come back. You may see us when you bring your dogs down. We will still probably pretend not to care about your dogs and their habits. Will some of you still be pretending not to care about the rest of us?
Mr. S. Hey,
Meadow Barton, Petton Lane, Weston Lullingfields, Shropshire.