Dogs on beaches

Press, 1 February 1983, Page 20

Dogs on beaches

Sir,—Not all dog owners are irresponsible. I have two gundogs which love the water, part of their heritage; but I am reluctant to take them to the beach because so many people are anti-dog. B. R. Williams (January 28) blames owners who “wait patiently while their pets urinate.” There is little an owner can do when a dog wishes to urinate; but excreta can easily be cleaned up. Where do people urinate at the beach in remote areas where toilets are not available? Dogs are part of our society. They are l used extensively in police work, assist the blind, and bring pleasure to many people. With today's stringent hydatid dosing, disease is no longer a problem. It is a pity some people make it difficult for others. I understand the problems roaming dogs cause in all areas of the community. What is the answer? — Yours, etc., L. C. CUNLIFFE. January 28, 1983. ' Sir.—ln reply to B. R. Williams (January 28) why not a shelter for the human species that own these dogs. It is not the dog’s fault. I have yet to see a dog leave behind beer bottles, cans, milk cartons, cigarette packets, chewing gum. etc., but I have witnessed over the years people urinating in phone boxes, shop doorways, golf courses, gardens, fences, and car parks, and the occasional vomit. Mr Williams should put more worry into controlling the human species. Has he taken much notice of the man-made filth in Brighton mall lately? We are destroying the world at a far greater pace than the dog. He should try saving our forests for a hobby or helping with an anti-litter campaign and leave the defenceless dog alone. — Yours, etc., M. DWYER. January 28. 1983. Sir. — Regarding dogs on beaches. I feel pity for those like B. R. Williams (January 28). It is quite obvious that they are frustrated in their own lives and never learned the love and devotion a dog can give. It is not the dog’s fault when nature calls, and the owner is not handy to cover up. Many dog u”-’ u rs do care, only-

the irresponsible ones do not. Dogs are like children; they love the beach yet some would deny them this and insist on rangers picking up and impounding them because they dared to frolic on the beach. Dogs do not litter and leave dangerous broken bottles on beaches or anywhere else. Only humans do that, but that is apparently acceptable. Dogs have proven they are indispensible to mankind, but some human creatures are too selfish, apathetic and woolly headed to recognise this fact. A report of a dog having walked 1800 km in four years of searching to find his owner was one of many examples of love, courage and devotion shown by a dog. — Yours, etc., IVY V. KENCH. January 29, 1983. Sir, — I am having awful visions of dogs after reading a letter in your paper — dogs, dozens of dogs, urinating and defecating all over human beings. Fortunately, the “wounds" would not be permanent, unlike the ones caused by broken beer bottles, which litter our beautiful parks and beaches. Let us feed our "guzzlers" from plastic bottles; when they have finished their “bottles" and throw them away, like babies do. there will not be so much harm done. My sympathy lies with the dogs — dozens of "hyped up" bored, under-exercised dogs. Few seem to make it to the beaches where they can cut their paws on broken glass or frisk among the chip wrappings, milk shake cartons, empty cans, plastic bags, cigarette packets, etc. — Yours, etc.. M. EWER. January 29, 1983.