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Collapse Issue 24<br />13 Feb 2001Issue 24
13 Feb 2001
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Dogs need the beach

I write in disgust at the attitude of Gosford Council regarding banning dogs on beaches.

Dogs need to be socialised and exercised off lead and the beach is the safest place for them to run free and play with other dogs.

If the Council's only objection to them being on the beach is because some inconsiderate animal owner's do not pick up after their dogs, then we need to ban not only dogs from beaches but people who bring their food with them and leave their rubbish behind, the fishermen who leave behind fishing lines, hooks, empty plastic bags that contained their bait and cigarette butts, all things that are environmentally unfriendly.

Why penalise responsible dog owners for others less considerate?

People from all walks of life own dogs for companions. Some people have dogs instead of children. Often older people only have the dog for companionship when they have lost their spouse.

They take their animals with them when they go out for a walk and it is becoming increasingly difficult to socialise any animal as there are fewer places to take them.

If they aren't exercised sufficiently, ie allowed to run free, then you will find a lot of barking dogs in people's back yards.

Women are being warned not to walk on the beach on their own because of the rapist that is still at large.

If you cannot take your dog with you then you can't walk on the beach and that pleasure is then removed.

It seems that our freedom and those little "luxuries" of life that do not cost anything, ie walking on a beach in the early morning and evening, are being eroded away.

Why can't we have access to beaches before say 9 am and after 4.30 pm?

Tasmania allows animals before and after a certain time in summer and doesn't have restrictions at any other time.

If the Council needs to police it to raise revenue, then fine people who don't pick up after their dogs.

I walk every day on my local beach and I pick up after my animals as well as others, along with at least three full bags of garbage a week left by humans, and I'm not complaining.

But I am distressed at the thought of not being able to enjoy the local beach with all the other residents, and there are many who socialise not only their dogs but also with each other.

Goodness Gosford Council, what you have you got against dogs?

Can't you change your attitude towards animals and their owners and work with us not against us?





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