Dogs healthier than drug users

I am writing this letter in response to your article on "Dogs face beach ban" on December 11.

I agree there should be areas on the local beaches where dogs can be off-the-leash to exercise.

And I strongly feel that the rest of the beach should be accessible to responsible dog owners.

I have walked my dog with a leash at the local beaches for nine years.

And I don't see why I, and others like me, should be penalised for the small number of irresponsible owners, who do not have their dogs on leashes or pick up after them.

You probably only hear about the bad behaviour of dogs and their owners.

I bet you never hear about the families and owners of well-behaved dogs that have a good time down at the beach.

Dogs are a part of the family.

Why should they be locked up at home when we want a walk or a day at the beach?

Why don't you ban all the people from the beaches, because of the drunks and drug-users and all the people who leave plastic and rubbish on the beaches?

I think these irresponsible people are more of a danger to the public and the environment than a handful of dogs.

What is healthier, a family outing at the beach with the family dog or drunks and drug-users?

I know which ones I would ban.

H. Walker, Umina