Consultation on proposals for a ban on dogs along a stretch of Sandbanks Beach, from the western end of the Promenade to the eastern end of Sandbanks Pavilion – August 2009 - results
Responses that were not in support the proposals
Responses by email
140 emails were received that were not in support of these proposals. Unfortunately it was not possible to judge how many respondents were Poole residents, from the emails that were received. A selection of comments is provided below.
“During the winter months the proposed area tends to be one of the emptiest stretches on the beach.”
“I believe that the current arrangement with the dogs not allowed on this particular section of the beach is correct and the concept of dogs on leads on the promenade for both dog control and for their protection.”
“To ban dogs and their owners seems very discriminatory. The council would not benefit from our money for car parking fees and the cost of car park permits. Small businesses will lose out should you succeed with the plans to ban us walking on the beach in the winter.”
“Poole is not just a tourist destination. It is also home to many thousands of dog owners.”
“With regard to the nuisance to the visitors on the beach, the dog beach in the summer gets filled up by visitors as fast as the dog free beach, indicating that there is little problem with dogs causing a nuisance.”
“Provide more bins with bag dispensers along the stretch of beach to make it easier for people to clean up after their dogs, the current provision is poor.”
“Look at other instances where the beach is left untidy and dangerous to other users e.g.; empty bottles, broken glass, used disposable BBQs, general litter left on the beach, all very unsightly and much more obvious a hazard.”
“The current restrictions are adequate and accommodate the needs of all parties using the beach. The current arrangements are restrictive enough, confining dogs to a small area at the end of sandbanks beach. There are miles and miles of beach which are dog free throughout the summer.”
“During the winter months, in poor weather conditions, dog walkers are almost the only people on the beach. Their absence may well increase the incidence of vandalism.”
“Excluding dogs will result in revenue loss, dog walkers buy an annual permit for beach car parks, spend money in the shops and cafes that stay open during the winter months. If dog walking is banned there will hardly be anyone to use the car park or shops/cafes.”
Responses by written letter
24 letters were received that were not in support of these proposals. 16 letters were from residents of Poole, and 8 letters were from non-Poole residents.
A selection of comments is provided below.
“I have lived in this area for 22 years and have always walked my dogs along the beach at the allocated times. I am most careful to clean up after my dog and I willingly give up the summer months for the benefit of the holiday makers.”
“We are already banned from most of the beach for the nicest months of the year. Most of the times in the winter dog walkers are the only users apart from weekends.”
“Poor signage with regards to dog beach bans already in place, the signs are too small.”
“There are more human litterers on the beach than dogs winter or summer. I’ve seen people leave used nappies, barbeques, broken bottles, a lot from people visiting the beach in the summer months.”
“Better management of litter and fining those who do not pick up. There has been no enforcement carried out by the beach staff and I walk on the beach and promenade on a daily basis.”
“Financial cost against local businesses like the café’s will be affected by the dog ban as a lot of their revenue comes from dog walkers during the winter period.”
“Might I suggest that the laws that already exist re: littering be enforced by the council. It is us dog walkers who are fed up with getting to Sandbanks beach early and seeing the debris”
“People with families using the beach pose a threat to our dogs and us leaving behind litter, often sharp objects like ring pulls/broken bottles, unbagged babies nappies, cigarette butts, holes left very deep in the sand. We (dog walkers) often dispose of these said items to make it safe for use to enjoy our walks.”
Common messages emerging from all responses
Common throughout the responses were suggestions that:
- there should be more enforcement regarding litter
- there should be more signage warning dog walkers about picking up after there dogs, and provision of more dog waste bins with bag dispensers
- there is likely to be a loss of revenue from car parking charges
- likely to be less support for local businesses, such as the shops and cafes that stay open during the winter months
- agreement that the current ban on dogs from 1st May – 30th Sept should stay in place
- suggestions that this was the start of a plan that would lead to a year long permanent ban for the rest of the beaches
Petitions received
Submitted by Tricks 4 Treats Pet Dog Training & Fun Agility. Wording of the petition (following two paragraphs outlining the past and present consultations):
“Once again we are more than happy to continue with the access that we are currently granted (as shown below). We ask anyone and everyone that enjoys Sandbanks beaches to pass our petition around to family and friends etc, the more we can impress upon the Council the better! Our dogs deserve the right to enjoy this land as much as we do.
The current Dog Control Orders:
- Dogs must be kept on a lead when on the promenade between Western End promenade Sandbanks and the border with Bournemouth between the months of 1 May and 30 September only.
- Dogs are not allowed on the beaches between Western End promenade at Sandbanks and Branksome Chine Beach office between the months of 1 May and 30 September only.
Please sign our petition to show your support for keeping the above Dog Control Order so that we are still able to continue walking our dogs on Sandbanks beaches.”
83 people signed the petition.
Submitted byMrs J Clark, a resident at Canford Cliffs, Poole. Wording of the petition:
“Against all year dog ban on section of beach opposite pavilion and restaurant”
194 people signed the petition.
Submitted byBenjamin Marc Powis, a resident at Sandbanks, Poole. Wording of the petition:
“The Council of the Borough & County of the Town of Poole wish to stop all year round the right to walk your dog on the beach from:
Sandbanks Beach from the Western End of the Promenade to the Eastern end of Sandbanks Pavilion
If you do not agree with this please sign this petition which will be sent to the Head of Environmental and Consumer Protection Service by 31st August 2009
If you wish to write, which would be very helpful the address is:” (address given)
771 people signed the petition.
Responses that were in support the proposals
Responses by email
26 emails were received that were in support of these proposals. Unfortunately it was not possible to judge how many respondents were Poole residents, from the emails that were received. A selection of comments is provided below.
“I am a Poole council tax payer and a regular year round walker along the beach and constantly stand in dog faeces left by dog walkers who use the beach as a dog toilet and conveniently turn the other way when their dog fouls the beach.”
“Dogs create a disturbance to other beach users, scare young children who are not used to dogs through incessant barking, fighting and generally making a nuisance of themselves.”
“Dogs should be on a lead when on the promenade at all times, on the spot fines, naming and shaming dog owners who don’t pick up after their dog would also help.”
“I feel that it is not necessary for people to exercise their dogs on the beaches, there are enough places in Poole to take your dog without including the beaches.”
“Dog owners getting out of their cars at the western end of sandbanks car park and letting their dog run on down to the beach with no control/supervision.”
“Dogs urinating against sandcastles or other structures along the beach and dog faeces buried with a kick of sand over the top, this can be unhygienic if your children want to dig and play in that area.”
“I hope proper enforcement will be introduced if the ban goes ahead.”
“The issue I would definitely say is a problem is the dog mess on the beach, frankly its disgusting and sad that a few dog owners spoil it for everyone.”
“ A year long beach ban for all of the beaches in Poole would be better than the small area mentioned.”
Responses by written letter
9 letters were received that were in support of these proposals. 3 letters were from residents of Poole, 5 letters were from non-Poole residents, and one letter was anonymous. A selection of comments is provided below.
“We have lived near the beaches for 15 years and during that time have witnessed many incidents involving dogs fouling, running wild and unsupervised.”
“Dogs should be muzzled and on a lead all year round”
“If you are going to designate an all year dog ban at Sandbanks, it will be a pointless exercise if the by-law is not enforced and prosecutions for breaches are not publicised”
“The current dog ban is being ignored by dog walkers who allow they’re dogs to wander where they please and the dogs urinate close to where families are picnicking.”
“As a dog owner I support the ban and think it should be extended so to support the families with children”
“All year dog ban on all of the beaches, lots of irresponsible dog owners not cleaning up after they’re dog”
Common messages emerging from all responses
Common throughout the responses were suggestions that:
- that there should be a permanent dog ban on all of the beaches, all year round, due to the concerns that many dog owners/walkers fail to pick up after their dogs
- there should be better enforcement to control dog walkers who don’t pick up after their dogs, and more on the spot fines to be issued
- a dog ban on all beaches would result in more revenue from increased beach use during the tourist season
Petition received
Submitted by D A Hensher, a resident of Poole. Wording of the petition:
“Poole Council propose to set aside a very small area on Sandbanks beach from the western end of the promenade to the eastern end of Sandbanks Pavilion for families with children to use all the year round free of dogs. The problem at the moment is that there is no beach fro children to use without the risk of dogs urinating against sandcastles, beach toys and even pushchairs.
If you now with to support these proposals which would not in any way affect the rights of dog walkers to use the rest of the beaches please sig together with your address on the attached sheets of paper please.
The survey will then be sent to” (address given)
474 people signed the petition.
Freedom of Information Requests
2 FOI requests were received during the consultation period, requesting:
- copies of all correspondence on this subject
- details of all complaints about dogs on all Poole beaches within the last 3 years
- details of all complaints about dogs at Sandbanks
- information that was used to support statements on the Poole website relating to toxocariasis
The requests were responded to within the required timescales, and are estimated to have entailed about 20 hours of officer time.
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