A Ventnor town councillor is calling on the Isle of Wight Council to use its current review of beach restrictions to make the island a more attractive place for local dog owners and for the many visitors who travel with their pets. Councillor Ian Bond has tabled a motion for the Town Council’s 12th August meeting, which asks the island council to look at the changes made in Cornwall since 2020. Cllr Bond said:
“Cornwall County Council reviewed all its beach restrictions in 2020, which had previously been similar to the Island’s with many beaches restricted May through September. After its largest-ever public consultation, almost all Cornish beaches are now restricted for July and August and between 10:0000 and 18:00, only.”
The new Cornish restrictions were supported by more than two in three responses to its consultation across the county, and have remained popular having been retained after a further review two years ago. Councillor Bond said:
“The review of local Public Space Protection Orders presents a tremendous opportunity to make the island a more attractive place to live or visit with a dog. We should restrict our beaches during the busy school holiday months only, and allow dog owners to use them during early morning and evening, when they are otherwise often empty.” “Since the IOWC restrictions lapsed earlier this year, in Ventnor we have seen many dog owners using our beach at quieter times this summer. They have been responsible, and having dogs on our beach really hasn’t caused us any significant problems for our summer season.”
The rules are there to prevent humans coming into contact with dog waste and unruly dog behaviour whilst children enjoy the sand. No one wants crap between their toes.
And nor do I nor anyone else – including children – want dogs bounding up to us and pushing children (and adults) over, when we’re sitting peacefully on the sand.
Why should we be restricted to visiting a beach only the part of the day when dogs aren’t allowed? Not to mention dogs fouling the sand, and owners covering it up and not disposing of it safely.
I think the same about some people and kids. Most dog owners cleanup ( sure not all) but there is alot of things I have seen on the beaches from people that are just as disgusting as well as general rubbish. So banning dogs doesn’t resolve anything. Dogs should be controlled as much as kids running around like headless chickens and kicking balls around, throwing sand etc. So banning kids should be added next
It’s worse when your grandchild picks the crap up in his hands.
This council should never had the ban to lapse .
Most humans behave worse than dogs. A decent dog owner will never let their dog ‘bound’ up to anyone and will always clean up after them. As a dog owner I can honestly say the vast majority of owners are respectful and have their dog under control, it’s only the minority that cause problems.
Many dog owners are responsible people and clean up after their dogs, but it’s a pity parents don’t educate their children!
Why?? Lots of people do NOT keep them on a lead and is it safe with children? Also people don’t always pick up the dog mess, it’s bad enough they don’t take their rubbish home, but I personally do not agree end of may till September no dogs! Also some idiots will take their dogs on the beach in extreme heat.
Too many people let their dogs off the lead already. I am sick to death of hearing “he/she is harmless” as a slavering dog the size of a small calf comes bundling into me while out walking. Dogs are unpredictable and we all know that too many avoidable incidents happen, even human deaths. Keep your dogs on leads and keep them off the beach. Give us peace to enjoy our walks and trips to the beach.
What rubbish!! The majority of dog owners (like myself) have a trained dog which is under control at all times (on or off lead) and always clean up after them, it’s the minority that cause the problems.
Most dogs (like their owners) are not trained. Dogs should not be off their leads on public rights of way or in fields containing livestock but I see it all the time. I’ve also seen many dogs worrying sheep. Most of these dogs are owned by holiday makers who stand there watching like idiots while their dogs chase sheep. They haven’t got a clue how to behave in the countryside. They come over from the big smoke, see a field and let their untrained dog off the lead to cause chaos. Allowing free beach access to dogs would lead to even more trouble.
All well and good, but you seeing a few irresponsible holidaymakers does not mean every dog owner should get punished. If you do not have a dog, I doubt you have experienced a significant number of dogs, which makes making blanket statements completely stupid. I have never experienced any dog ‘worrying’ sheep, I know it happens, but VERY rarely. Referring to your original comment – not all dogs are unpredictable, you get a decent breed from a reputable breeder and their nature and behaviour is very predictable. Throw in some decent training and you have an excellent dog. I never lead my dog when the situation allows (which is most of the time depending on which walk is chosen) and never will.
Your argument is pathetic and stupid. It is the same as saying most people don’t commit murder so what is the point in making it a crime. You have to implement rules/laws to protect the majority from the actions of a badly behaved minority.
In response to your points: many dogs are unpredictable, most dogs aren’t trained how to behave, most dogs would attack a sheep given the opportunity, and you are legally required to keep your dog under control at all times.
BTW, I have owned several dogs and all were well trained.
How are you not getting it…. You have it the wrong way round…. I’m saying you can’t treat everyone like a murderer because a minority do murder.
I agree, a dog has to be legally under control at all times (and legally on lead in certain places) and I’m saying MOST of the dogs I see are completely under control.
Honestly it’s not difficult!
I don’t think its a good idea. I find people don’t even pick up on the street and I feel they would be less likely to do so on the beach
Leaving litter on beaches is much more of a problem than dogs are, perhaps humans need more training!!
The majority of dog owners are respectful and always pick up after their dog.
There are children and adults who are nervous around dogs, so it seems to me to be a little unfair that the one place you can go in the summer to relax by the sea (the beach) that you should have to have that little bit of tranquillity shattered by dogs running around off their leads, barking at each other and leaving dog waste, and the anxiety that causes. I know there are respectful owners of dogs who would keep them on leads and clean up afterwards, but that’s not the majority unfortunately. I’m not a dog hater, before comments are hurled back at me.
Ryde beach is used daily as a dog toilet, they drive up in their posh cars then let fido loose for its crap then pile back in to their cars and go home, before the ban was lost these scum came down at 6am knowing they were breaking the law but certain no officials would be about.+
As you’ve obviously witnessed this, what action did you take? Did you take photos and send them in to the Council Enforcement team?
WHY?? I don’t like dogs.
I have a phobia and they make me anxious.
I have no problem with dog owners and just want my personal space to be respected the same way I respect theirs.
Please let’s nip it in the bud and stop trying to please a small minority because a few people in power want to pretend to be inclusive
You not liking dogs has nothing to do with it. Owners should have their dogs under control (like most do).
It’s frustrating because the majority of good dog owners are vilified by the minority of bad ones. My dog never runs up to anyone, I always pick up after her, she responds to my commands and I only let people touch her who respectfully ask.
Why are dog owners treated as second class citizens. I walk my dogs on the beach. I always obey the rules, only go to the areas where dogs are permittted, always pick up after them and never allow them to bother people. I wish I could say the same about people with children. What beggars explanation is the phenemenon where dogs are allowed in one area but not in another but the people with children always sit in the dog friendly area then complain about dogs. All that is required is a bit of respect and courtesy on both sides but the critical point is that it does need to be on both sides.
I totally agree. I walk my dogs on the beach, I always pick up and they are well behaved, which is more than I can say about the unruly children, and adults who leave their rubbish all over the beach. Yes, there are inconsiderate people who do not pick up after their dogs, but I am glad to say they are few and far between. More poo bins would help.
Great idea. Too many whinging gits on this island. Let’s attract more tourists as possible and try to offer a great experience in order to offset the prohibitive ferry fares. One easy way of doing this is to make us a truly dog friendly island.
Don’t worry humans will be pooping on the beach soon due the toilet situation on the Island.
Dogs should be kept on a lead, also make owners clear
uo the sh*t.
Too many dog owners DON’T
There are more humans that behave badly, I’d much rather they were kept on lead!!
It is clear that dogs on beaches may cause a health risk, especially to children. They should be banned whenever children may be on beaches, namely Easter to the end of October. What they choose to do in Cornwall is irrelevant.
No body has yet mentioned bird disturbance which has been established as being mainly caused by dogs being walked off their lead (on beaches). Check out “Bird aware Solent ” and the establishment of beach patrol officers. I fully support banning dogs from beaches at all times.
AGAIN… you are talking about the minority yet you want to penalise the all owners. Dogs should be under control, if they chase birds you either don’t take them to a place with birds or if you do they are leaded. Mine has no interest in birds of any kind, she is 100% focussed on a ball.
We’re not talking about what ‘should” happen, we’re talking about ‘what in fact’ happens.
Pick up your dog crap then… You know who you are that don’t!!!!
Maybe they can just build some dodgy toilets……..maybe just charge 10p for a poop instead of 50p.
Should be other way round – less dog beaches!
For the love of god do not accept this. There are to many dog owners who can’t control their dogs. There is nothing worse than someone dog jumping all over you and the owner says “ah sorry he’s just friendly”
Dog’s should be on leads in public
I am sick to death with all the limp wristed parents who don’t educate their kids all themselves and cannot even clean up after themselves when they leave the beach.
Animals in general are entitled to this planet just as much as humans, in actual fact it’s the humans who have messed this planet up, NOT ANIMALS.GO educate yourselves first.
To Zippy, Marcus and Jeanette: totally agree with you. What needs to be taken into account is most peple (not us) who spend their lives bleating on this webiste are probably selfish and poorly educated… Go to Yaverland, dogs allowed on beach all year round, and I never see dog poo, and dogs off lead are mainly well controlled, happy, sociable and a pleasure to watch and be with. Which is more than can be said by all these negative comentators! The ones that don’t take their litter behind: childrens plastic toys, beer cans etc.etc which is so bad for the fish!!
Come to Sandown. Some dog owners pay no attention to signs and you will see dogs all along the beach every day during the summer. Maybe make the signs bigger? Council don’t care, never known anyone to be moved or fined.