Sir,

I was pleased to see such a good turnout for the Saundersfoot New Year's Day Swim and thought that there was a great atmosphere among the participants and crowd.

However, I think that I speak for many fellow dog owners who attended the event when I say that the fireworks were an unnecessary and ill-thought out aspect of the event. I unwittingly took my dog to the end of the harbour and submitted him to a terrifying ordeal. Dogs and puppies either side of us were having similar fits of terror and I could see dogs on the beach running about in panic.

After so many owners would have taken care to keep their dogs inside and out of harm's way for New Year's Eve, this seemed all the more cruel and ridiculous. I am drawing attention to this issue so that more consideration might be taken next year.

Concerned whippet owner.