Dogs on beaches 8

Out of season the beaches in St Ives are becoming canine latrines. But why should dog owners bother finding a more suitable place when there's the whole of Porthmeor available? Perhaps Penwith should erect notices reserving the use of the beaches for dogs and their owners, allowing the rest of us access only at certain times of day.

Dogs on beaches (and elsewhere) 7

A report in this week's St Ives Times & Echo - "St Ives 'being turned into a toilet'" - claims that "parts of St Ives are being turned into a toilet because of a lifting of beach restrictions which now allow dogs on St Ives beaches throughout the summer".

The probable consequences of the new regulations was first raised at the beginning of April by The St Ivean.

The Times & Echo story says:

"There were strong feelings on Wednesday when people living around The Warren said clearing up after dogs had become a daily task.

"Local beaches have now become a free-for-all for dog owners in the evenings and early mornings much to the annoyance of some".

The report says that there are concerns that St Ives could lose its Blue Flag status because of the daily fouling taking place on the beaches. People in The Warren have been told that street cleaning would be done once or twice a week.

Reports of dog fouling can be made to Penwith via the FixMyStreet website.

Dogs on beaches (6)

This week's St Ives Times & Echo publishes a letter from St Ives Town Councillor Tamsyn Williams, who writes to say that she has had many complaints from people, including dog owners, about the new regulations which allow dogs on beaches from 7p.m to 8 a.m. over the next few months.

Cllr Williams makes the point that "it isn't just the dog mess which is worrying but also that children and dogs don't always mix happily...". Quite so, as a contributor to The St Ivean recently pointed out.

People can object to the new regulations (although it's too late to change the regulations for this summer) which, Cllr Williams says, will be reviewed next February, by contacting the Environmental Health Manager, Penwith District Council, St Clare, Penzance TR18 3QW or by telephoning on (01736) 336641.

You can also report instances of dog fouling to Penwith by using the FixMyStreet website.
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Dogs on beaches (5)

Since May 1 when the new regulations on dogs on beaches came into force, I have seen just one dog owner on the beaches outside the times allowed. But quite why dogs should be allowed on beaches until a couple of hours before people arrive, is puzzling. The assumption is that dog owners will clear up after their pet. If they don't, then there is a real danger to public health. Where dogs foul the streets it is easily seen and avoided - not so on the beaches. And the risk to health are well-documented. The St Ivean would like to see a total ban on dogs using our beaches.

Dogs on beaches (4)

The changes to the dog fouling rules have certainly given the green light to the dog owning fraternity in St Ives. This morning before 10 o'clock I was struck by the number of people walking their dogs on the beaches and through the town. And the fouling isn't just on the beaches. This morning a man whose dog had just used Porthgwidden beach, then proceeded to the Harbour beach for further evacuations, making use of Wheal Dream along the way.

Dogs on beaches (3)

Porthmeor beach this morning at 08:15 and a dog is yelping and yapping at my ankles until its owner whistles it off. On Porthgwidden there are two dogs one of which is defecating on the sand close to the cafe. The dog's owner is indifferent and walks on.

Millions of pounds was spent on preventing sewage from reaching our beaches. Now it seems they are becoming dog latrines.

Dogs on beaches (2)

This morning at 09:50 there were ten people on Porthmeor Beach - and just as many dogs. Leaving aside for the moment the horrors of dog fouling, I don't see why I should have to share the beach with a pack of hounds on a Sunday morning.

New signs have gone up since my last post on the subject. Now dogs are banned from some beaches from 1 May and September 30 - at least we are rid of the fuzzy 'Easter Day' problem. But the confusion is likely to persist because there are different rules and penalties for different beaches. A ban on dogs on beaches throughout the year with hefty fines for offenders would make things clear.

Dogs on beaches

The decision to modify the rules on allowing dogs on beaches seems to have produced either confusion or irresponsibility amongst dog owners in St Ives. Over the past few days, I have seen dogs on Porthmeor, Porthgwidden and the Harbour beaches outside the times (between 7pm and 8am) dogs are allowed there under the new rules - if, indeed, the new rules have yet come into force.

But why choose Easter Day as the start day for the annual ban (which runs until October 1) on dogs on some beaches ? Many people don't know the date when that day falls (this year it was March 23). The end date is clear and so should the start date. It makes no sense to use a moveable and thus ambiguous date.