Sir, When I first read the letter 'Acceptable or not', in the February 2 edition of the Tenby Observer, I wasn't sure what the writer was actually bothered about as a lot of what he said contradicted itself, but the main gist of it seemed to be that he didn't like loose dogs being on the beach, even though he said they seemed to pose no threat. If they did, I'm sure their owners would not let them loose in the first place. Dogs are social creatures of habit and will go up to strangers they are not used to seeing on their regular walk, as more often than not they will get a fuss which they love, but although I appreciate the reason, they can't understand why suddenly on May 1 they are banned from the beaches until September 30 and can't run and meet their friends to play on the sand as they've been used to in the winter, just so visitors can enjoy our wonderful facilities at their best for their one or two weeks a year holiday. Dogs with their owners are not 'stray' dogs and we have as much right to come on the beach with our dogs as he has with his children. He said that the dogs were messing, but some owners picked it up. Visitors and children can leave just as much mess on the beach as a dog can, as I have seen used condoms and dirty nappies. Responsible people clean up after themselves, irresponsible ones don't. Responsible dog owners clean up after their dogs, irresponsible ones don't. Where are dogs exercised where the writer lives? If it's in the country, does he not like that either because that's where he takes his son? We have beaches here, so that's where we exercise our dogs. There are no cars there and it's a wonderful chance for them to run and be free in safety, which is their basic right, and there is no way I would expect my dog to walk on the beach by my side on a lead. The writer must be aware that these incidents occur, as he says that this experience was not a one-off, so if the presence of dogs on the beach worries him to that extent, I suggest that if he must come here on holiday, he comes to stay during May to September when provision is made for him and dogs are banned from most of their own beaches, considering that visitors may be here for one or two weeks a year, we live here for 52 weeks a year and contribute fully to the upkeep of the area he is visiting, and that would leave us in peace to enjoy our own wonderful facilities with people who appreciate our canine friends.
Alyson Bush and Murphy, Tenby