Earlier tonight in the Community Centre Fred Holmes called for River Community Council to back West CC in attempts to have signs erected on the Central Beach (the first bit of the West Beach really, the name Central is a modern invention by local government) asking for people not to take their dogs on that beach but to go elsewhere. Fred's motion failed to find a seconder.
There is nothing that the authorities can do to stop people taking their dogs on the beaches. Familiar arguments were heard during the debate but despite Fred's protestations River CC were reluctant to support their Westie colleagues. There is another side to this of course, there are those that seem to like coming to Nairn with their dogs, perhaps they even have money to spend as well?
Nairn, I've discovered, is quite a dog loving town - the beach is a real dog walking magnet. twitter.com/JackieMore4Dog…
— Jackie Hendry (@JackieMore4Dogs) September 18, 2012
Dangerous dogs seem to worry some people, to this observer the answer is that if you are on the beach and you think that a dog is out of control and a danger to yourself and others then call the police. A sign will not enforce anything and the majority of dog owners that keep their dogs under control will only ignore them too. Even the former Council signs that told people that dogs were not allowed on the beach were also unenforceable and some have suggested that they were also illegal.
8 comments:
Oh yes, I just love dog owners using the beach
I smile as I step in a pile of dog poo left by some kind pooch owner
I laugh as the out of control dog leaps all over me and really appreciate the owner who runs over to tell me 'he's just so friendly'
Just so we can remain dog loving I now stop taking my kids to the beach. Seems only fair that dogs and their owners should have the run of it and not let people like us spoil their enjoyment
Call the Police? No we want to be friendly so that wouldn't do, it would spoil our image
Mind you if I started to poop wherever I wanted and ran up to people and knocked them over I'd probably be locked up!
But as long as dogs and their owners can continue to run free in Nairn I'm happy, very, very happy
As a dog owner and walker I see no reason why the bandstand section of the beach could not be set aside for those who wanted a dog free space during the summer season, where they could sit and read, maybe chat, eat, sleep, sun bathe, make sandcastles and play games with the kids, whatever. There is plenty of space that families and those that wanted a day on the beach with their dogs could use. Why, when there is such a large expanse of beach would you want to compete with other people for space on a small stretch when you are just out for your regular dog walk?
The signs on the west beach used to partly do the job, as most responsible dog owners took heed and walked their dogs elsewhere. For those of us who're not keen on dogs this was a blessing and made the beach accessible for us. My recent jaunts to the beach suggest that there are more dog owners than ever, and furthermore many seem content to allow their dogs to run free without any checks. A further group seem to have no control over their dogs whatsoever and are forced to run after them. I find it a shame that the River Community Council found they were unable to support the idea of new signs, I wonder as to what their reasons were?
Sharing public space is always a very difficult thing.
Like anything its down to being responsible and the few who spoil it for everyone. I walk on the beach almost everyday with my dog and always bear in mind other users- the dog remains on the lead if its busy.
Hows about we apply the same logic to something that gets to me at times - ban driving in the town centre, that'll stop those pesky boy racers annoying us all.....
@Anon 4.45
No anon, following the logic we would be banning boy racers from the high street but they would be free to drive elsewhere
Can we also stop cats from littering in our gardens, perhaps I should call round to the neighbourhood with a 'catty bag' and a photo of their fav moggy and politely ask them to remove the offensive article lying in my veg patch...or ask the horse owners to pick up after their horse has fouled and stop the erosion of the paths at kingsteps
@Anon 7.17
Yes you are correct - we would be banning boy racers from the High Street - HOWEVER, (following the logic proposed with the dog owners) we would also be asking all the other responsible drivers to refrain from the driving in High Street and tell them they can also be free to drive elsewhere....
Maybe I've picked it up wrong but is that not what is being proposed here, stop all dogs and their owners from walking on the central beach because of the irresponsible few who do not respect others in the area?
As APT says sharing space is difficult but public areas are there to be used by everyone.
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