your comments
John Thomas, Borth
There are many ideas and suggestions about the control of waste generally, on beaches and public access areas. If we look back through the contributions to this issue we see that the 'fair and reasonable' contributors use words like 'responsibility' when applied to individual's actions in the process of enjoying recreation with their pets. It is the reasonable and fair people in society who demonstrate tolerance to the wishes of others despite harbouring reservations about the way they go about sharing the limited spaces we all have to share. Radical attitudes promoting selfishness and not caring about our individua! l actions as they directly adversely affect other people is a bit of a 1960's 'hippyish' couldn't care less, 'laissez faire' attitude which is something all too prominent in our booze ridden and increasingly violent society. We all need to show some respect and decency for each other and get back to basics. I know dog poo isn't exactly an ocean going tanker full of nuclear waste but the principle of showing respect for others still applies....lets all think on shall we, and let's not be so keen to abuse the good will of the general public who tolerate many anti social behaviours.......please take the time to type in "dog waste and disease in humans" in the GOOGLE SEARCH BOX, then please reflect on whether you really do believe that dog waste is not a public nuisance.
Mon Nov 16 15:35:22 2009
John Thomas Borth
Anne (Dudley) once again gets to the truth of the issue which is that the only way to get (some) people to comply with the law is to haul them before the courts. It's fine being radical and truculent and disrespecting the wishes of fellow citizens and the law, but ultimately the law is there to encourage the population to bahave in accordance with the wishes of the majority of residents, who in this case do not support the rebels who want their own way, well done Anne for supporting the voice of reason once again, thankyou
Fri Nov 6 09:50:49 2009
Anne Dudley
Early morning before people go to work and early evening, you see them with their dogs they walk on the top, dogs are running on the pebbles. They just come from their houses or flats right on to the beach. It proofs what I have been saying all along, local people are the worst offenders, the majority of holiday makers clean up after their dogs. Why are some people so ignorant and selfish?
Mon Oct 19 09:35:22 2009
Diane, Borth
I have watched while the mother of a young son allowed him to mess on the sand and then buried it!! Does this mean we should ban children from the beaches too??? Where will it end??
Mon Oct 12 09:25:29 2009
Bleddyn Morris, Bow Street
I agree with Ms J Owen she is being constructive in her comments and not trawling out the same old chestnuts that are being repeated ad-nauseum by John Thomas. I don't detect hysteria in her comments just plain good old fashioned facts.Borth is not an idyll and has it's share of anti social behaviour like anywhere else.
Mon Sep 28 10:23:42 2009
Anne Dudley
I'm afraid that this matter will never be resumed, any sort of waste is a problem. We as individuals have 2 be responsible 4 our own actions. The responsible dog owner will scoop her/his dog/s mess up, the responsible person will not buy certain things because they care about their environment. But alas all who live on this small planet don't always care about our world, sweep it under carpet(or sand).
Fri Aug 21 08:49:14 2009
John Thomas
Anne Dudley makes some very practical suggestions about the control of waste generally, on beaches and public access areas. If we look back through the contributions to this issue we see that the 'fair and reasonable' contributors use words like 'responsibility' when applied to individual's actions in the process of enjoying recreation with their pets. It is the reasonable and fair people in society who demonstrate tolerance to the wishes of others despite harbouring reservations about the way they go about sharing the lmited spaces we all have to share. Radical attitudes promoting selfishness and not caring about our indivi! dual actions as they directly adversely affect other people is a bit of a 1960's 'hippyish' couldn't care less, 'laissez faire' attitude which is something all too prominent in our booze ridden and increasingly violent society. We all need to show some respect and decency for each other and get back to basics. I know dog poo isn't exactly an ocean going tanker full of nuclear waste but the principal of showing respect for others still applies....lets all think on shall we, and let's not be so keen to abuse the good will of the general public who tolerate many anti social behaviours.......
Mon Aug 10 16:53:53 2009
Anne Dudley (Wolverhampton)
Most holiday people clear up after their dogs,it is the few people that give dog owners a bad name. The people who live in Borth aren't all goody-goody either, I have been coming to Borth for 56yrs, and in those early years local people would let their dogs roam. In fact about 5 yrs ago I had to tell one of the locals that I had witnessed her dog had been run over, death was instant, of-course I felt sorry for her but it was still irresponsible of her. I see a local man every morning with his dog burying the dogs poo in the sand. Graham Walker has the right idea, people with dogs should be stopped and asked if they are carrying bags,if not fine then on the spot. This could be anywhere not only on beaches. And so far this year I've seen sheep droppings for Borth to Ynyslas on the shore line on 5 different occasions what is being done about this, I've reported this to the council, they say they have come down to look and of-course they can't see it, this has been going on for years
Sun Jul 26 20:05:17 2009
John Thomas
I feel Ms Owen is frantically stoking up the fires of resentment against a council which has acted reasonably and in the public interest in this matter. The purpose of laws against dog or any other waste in publicly accessible places is to protect public health. There are diseases which are triggered by dog waste, this is medical fact not hearsay. I find it irresponsible that the likes of Ms Owen would intimate breaking the law of the land and fly in the face of non dog owners wishes who may have little sympathy as they bear the cost of clearing up the mess. We can all have tantrums but in the end we are responsible for our own actions and I believe Ms Owen should calm down and back down from this futile cause.
Thu Jun 18 09:43:24 2009
Janet Owen from Borth
The dog ban on Borth beach is now so extensive that it is incompatible with the Welfare of Animals Act. This Act makes it a criminal offence not to exercise your dog appropriately. Bylaws and dog Control Orders are civil offences and do not apply if one has "a reasonable excuse". It seems likely that a dog owner breaking the ban could claim to be avoiding the more serious criminal offence if there is nowhere else available. Ceredigion County Council have not yet erected the signs and explanations required by law and this also could be a defence. As it is, the ban is discriminatory against dog owners because if you ban dogs you ban their owners too. What we need is a test case to establish the implications for our civil liberties but this seems unlikely to happen. There is a ray of hope on the horizon for a reasonable solution in the form of the Marine and Coastal Access Bill which is being considered by the House of Lords at present. The Kennel Club is contributing amendments to this Bill to allow acces for dogs and their owners to all public beaches and coastal paths. Owners who are concerned can find a sample letter on the KC website to appeal to their MPs.
Wed May 13 13:23:52 2009
Cici Bloom, Birmingham
I visited borth last year for the first time in 11 years. I started going to borth when i was 2 years old, I have always grown up with a dog and I must say that my yorkie love borth sadly when she passed away we stopped going as it was too painful. But last year we visited borth to sadly find out that we could not take my sisters' guide dog onto the beach. so we drove up to ynyslas. I find it really bad that reponsible dog owners are punished for the crimes of irresponsible owners. My sisters guide dog works hard every day and when we go on holiday she deserves to have a run on the beach but from now on we will go to a different part of Wales as there are still some beaches who will allow dogs on to them.
Fri Nov 28 09:42:28 2008
Alison Hincks, Borth
Have just read John Thomas' comments on the horror of dog mess. Of course we all hate irresponsible behaviour over not cleaning it up, dog-owners and non- dog owners alike! It's the same people who are trying to reasonably negotiate over the ban that are the ones who always clean up. Has he seen this week's Cambrian News, by the way re.Bow Street bus-stops? It seems there are worse problems over dog-mess in Ceredigion afoot (no pun intended)
Thu Nov 13 10:01:38 2008
Violet of Shropshire.
Not everyone likes dogs, and these days we hear and read about dog-attacks on a frequent basis, once again it seems to be a sad reflection of the society we have be come totally desrespectful towards others, and irresponsible dog-owners seem to take great delight in the fact that their dogs may anoy others! warped or what? Keep the dog ban in place.
Wed Aug 20 11:15:22 2008
John Thomas, Borth
Paul from Leicester, I think any self respecting country would deter the uncontrolled dispersal of animal waste from it's public recrerational spaces which are primarily for humans to roam freely and excercise the freedom of the 'reptillian brain'. If you are lucky enough to receive a microscope from santa this christmas please have a look at a dog turd through the lense, then please share with us whether you would wish your child to discover it in a public place for example whilst unsuspectingly building an exciting sand castle with dad on borth or any other beach...best wishes....
Mon Aug 4 08:06:01 2008
Paul Williams, Leicester
My holiday in Wales was made a nightmare last year as there was only one beach I could take my dog on even though there wasn't a soul around and the weather was lousy (floods in fact). I had two children to entertain as well ; I felt I was living in a police state, what have we come to? Some holiday. I didn't want to put my Cocker spaniel in Kennels and I enjoy walks with dog and family which is after all about all you can do in this country, or so I thought until I discovered I couldn't go on any beach. Laughable.. No wonder people don't holiday in Britain,
Fri Jul 18 09:08:49 2008
Paul Williams Leicester
I forgot to mention I won't be holidaying in Wales anymore because of the dog ban on beaches . That's sad.
Thu Jul 17 09:33:50 2008
Steve Ketteringham, Borth
We live in Borth. We have a rescue dog who has been very badly treated. She is extremely traumatised, and utterly terrified of crowded places and busy roads. In these situations she panics, hyperventilates, and almost strangles herself on her lead, running in circles desperate to get away.
As we do not have a car, the only way to avoid traumatising her in this way, which I believe would be cruel, is to not walk by the road (on which the speed limit is not enforced) or on the narrow, crowded prom, but to use the open space of the beach. There is no other route through the village to reach footpaths inland.
Without being deliberately cruel to a very traumatised dog who needs a lot of time to get used to people gradually (she is already more relaxed when meeting 1 or 2 people) we have absolutely no alternative route whatsoever.
We are not tourists. This is the village we live in, this is a part of our lives every single day. What exactly would people have us do?
Wed Jun 11 09:36:01 2008
John Wilson Hereford
My dog enjoys the sea as much as any child or adult and should be allowed to.I understand that some people dont clean the mess that their dogs leave (and should do), as some people drop litter and dont put it into bins...
Fri May 9 09:05:51 2008
Ruth Morgan South Wales
As a dog owner I agree that everyone should keep everywhere free from dog litter. I cannot see the harm in letting your dog loose on the beach early morning and evening when its mainly empty of people.
Wed May 7 10:26:47 2008
John J Thomas
Imagine a hot afternoon lying on the beach the breeze gently wafting the sea spray over the sands ahhh beautiful. Then whilst turning over and disturbing an area of sand there emerges the stench and flies of buried dog faeces. Yes we can all imagine the selfish person who buried it having a snigger knowing an unsuspecting victim will discover the secret present. This is so simple, people need and pay for clean recreational space, despite dog owners showing a preference for allowing their dogs to defaecate in areas where people are bound to be sitting. Please ban the dogs to their own area out of the mainstream ! so we can enjoy good health and clean air.....lets all get real shall we
Fri May 2 07:26:47 2008
Chris from Birmingham
How sad when our boys are coming home in body bags sad people complain about dogs on a beach. Dogs work in the gulf detecting mines and alerting troops of approaching enemy and a lot take a bullet for this but you think they are just lowly dogs shame on you all they have been protecting humans since cave men days...sleep well
Tue Apr 15 09:18:34 2008
Alison Hincks, Borth
I'd just like to say to Myra from Aberystwyth it's not really a dog-mess issue for those of us who are campaigning for a bit of beach for our dogs to excercise. We hate the disgusting messes left by people who just don't care as much as anyone. We tend to be responsible people who will respect byelaws. Unfortunately the people who let their dogs leave mess will also be the ones who will also ignore a dog-ban if it is enforced! A case of a minority spoiling things for everyone else.
Mon Feb 18 09:10:00 2008
Myra, Aberystwyth
I live in Aberystwyth and everyday I have to dodge the dog mess on the streets, in the parks and beach when going for a walk. I am constantly annoyed by the fact that dog owners obviously think it's perfectly acceptable to let their dogs mess on the streets and the beach, and worse parks where children play, and not to think they should clear it up. You have every right to 'enjoy' your pet but don't force their mess on others - have some respect and clean it up. I don't want to share the beach with dogs and their mess during the summer or at any other time of the year come to think! of it and am quite sure a great many other people don't either. Therefore I'm glad that the counc! il has banned dogs from the beaches and hope they continue to do so - I only wish they were banned all year round.It would also be gratifying to see the council enforcing the fine that they say they will enforce should a person be found allowing their dog to foul in public places - unfortunately they rarely do.
Wed Feb 13 10:12:09 2008
Mr Thomas from Aberystwyth
We get a lot of this kind of talk every year from dog owners,as some other people have said most dog owners clean up after them but it is the inconsiderate ones that spoil it for everyone.I take my ex wife's dog for a walk now and again and you can see people who know full well about cleaning up after their dogs just walk away after the dog has fouled. It is these people that spoil it. The beach is a public area and until the council can provide enough wardens to patrol these areas constantly,preferably with a camera the ban should stay in place.And any offenders should be fined heavily.
Wed Feb 13 09:49:01 2008
Janet Owen, Borth
Borth Councillors have recently voted yet again to extend the ban on dogs over the whole beach. All we are asking for is a section of beach for people with dogs to use during the summer. Aberystwyth has 2 such ares within a shorter length of beach. Borth houses generally have small or no gardens and local people have always used the beach to execise their dogs. I will have to drive 2 miles through the village to take my dog for a walk. Is that reasonable? The ban is in force from May 1 to 30 Sept and for the most part of that time the beach will be empty. Provision could easily be made%2! 0for a section of beach to be reserved for children (and adults who dislike dogs) and the rest of the beach remain available for dog walking. This would solve the problem of children and dogs being confined to the same small section of beach which is what happens now. If anyone out there wants to walk their dog on any part of Borth beach in future then write or e-mail Legal Services at Ceredigion County Council.
Sun Feb 10 23:24:11 2008
Zannah from Weston-super-Mare
We get the same problem here - but do others not realise it is a few that ruin it for others!I have 3 children and a dog and they can (and do) live smoothly together out and about. I take our dally on the beach, in the woods and always clear up after her.I think people will find there are a few persistant offenders but generally dog owners are responsible, thoughtful and caring of others and the environment. Shame we can't all be but life isn't like that unfortunately!
Wed Jan 9 12:06:09 2008
Esther, Borth
Re: Question from Graham Walker from Mirfield
Objections to the current 'confirmation of orders' banning dogs from Borth beach under the cliffs at the south end etc, can be sent by mail to: Corporate and Legal services Cyngor Sir Ceredigion County Council Penmorfa ABERAERON Ceredigion SA46 0PA. You must have registered your objection by the 20th January 2008 (28 days from the 24th December).
Tue Jan 8 11:56:04 2008
Graham Walker from Mirfield
Re: the posting by A.Hincks,Borth stating that Ceredigion Council are again considering completely banning dogs from Borth Beach May-Sept. Please could they let me know who to contact at the Council to make a representation as I have scanned the Ceredigion site and can find no immediate reference to the issue. Thanks in anticipation. Graham
Mon Jan 7 08:27:16 2008
A.Hincks,Borth
The situation re. dogs being banned completely from Borth Beach May-Sept is under review again. Please would anyone who supports the idea of a designated area, or, possibly, a curfew system, please contact the council urgently(before Jan,20th)
Thu Jan 3 16:41:13 2008
Anthony Fisher from Birmingham
Dogs are controlled by their owners. I have worked with mainly large dogs and have them as pets. Borth is a place for mine and to clean up after their mess isn't asking a lot. Under recent by-laws it's an offence even now to allow a dog to mess in the road, as well as the pavement . A good responsible owner will have with them articles for cleaning up. But because of other so-called owners the fun/laughter of seeing dogs have their heads and run about in/along the beach/sea is limited. Local wardens should be assigned with the backing of the Police should persons refuse their details whe! n offences are committed. I have seen this work and a day out in front of the local magistrate is time consuming when the simple carrying/use of disposal bags would have done the trick.Providing disposal bins can be provided along the beach/street, with wardens to inforce the laws than may be owners would think again like one individual who thought they were above the law and felt it wasn't their mess to clean up.
Thu Oct 25 08:02:24 2007
Rhiannon
I think dogs are the best and they are way way way more important than children. lol.ok well not more important but just as.anyway, my dog Del is the bessst!!!!so let her have some fun.
Wed Sep 26 08:20:11 2007
A.Hincks,Borth
I have lived in Borth for nearly twenty years,though have only had a dog of my own for five of those.We are currently allowed to use the scrap of beach between the lifeboat station and the cliff(though this may change)at the height of the tourist season.I know most of the local dog walkers,and cannot think of a single one who does not clear up after their animal.However I am aware that when Borth is full of holiday-makers there is sometimes dog-mess on the pavement,never mind the beach. I've seen dirty nappies floating in rockpools,and also the thing I find personally most disgusting,piles of fag-ends on the beach.Realistically,what is happening is lots of people cramming into a small space,which is why(as far as dogs are concerned)I'd like to see a less-populated part of the beach designated for them...The idea of a total dog-ban distresses me especially because of the the situation in winter,when things are completely different.I live a few yards from the beach,and the idea of denying my very active dog the chance of a good run-necessary for her health-on a totally empty beach seems so un-necessary.
Tue Sep 18 09:00:49 2007
Katrina Kavanagh, Northampton
My family and I have been spending our holidays in Borth since I was a child and every year see the same problem with dog mess. I am however of the opinion that it is more likely to be the dogs of holidaymakers, surely dog owners living in Borth wouldn't want to live in their own mess? Having spent time on all areas of the beach I have certainly never noted any difference in where dogs are or are not allowed, and I don’t believe I have ever sat with my family on any area of the beach whereby someone has not had a dog (or two) tied up to their beach tent. I cringe when I see kids building sandcastles I believe the lack of respect people have is purely due to the fact that there is no one there to enforce the law in such a small lovely holiday spot, Some holidaymakers are merely taking advantage of having a break from clearing up after their dogs which is what they HAVE to do when they are in their home towns - A small child weeing in the sand will not give your children toxicosis, dog mess does that.
Mon Jul 2 12:46:38 2007
John Thomas, Borth
It's amazing how some selfish Borth residents can think our children should play in sand contaminated by dog waste. This waste is full of bacteria and harmful organisms which I'm sure the dog owners are happily ignorant of. May I ask dog owners to be socially responsible and to dispose of their waste hygenically so the rest of us can avoid the poop troop. Dogs are a luxury human health comes first.
Thu Jun 28 09:33:54 2007
Janet Owen
The beach in Borth is 1.3 miles long and at the moment in the summer dogs are allowed on small section to the left of the slipway.Unfortunately this is also the area closest to the shop and the toilet and so most people go onto the beach here and the rest of the beach remains empty.From next year the council seeks to ban dogs completely and I will have to get into my car and drive 1.3 miles through the village if I want to walk with my dog on the beach. You cannot imagine how frustrating this is when I get up early in the summer see a completely empty beach and know that I cannot use it. I would never dream of taking my dog where children are playing or where there are swimmers but I bitterly regret not being able to walk along the beach after the visitors have gone.
Thu Jun 14 16:14:48 2007
Kat Morgan from Cardiff
Strangely enough, I was at Borth last summer and a toddler came right near to where I was sunbathing and peed in the sand. His mother didn't even offer a lame 'sorry'. On another occasion I was hit in the side of the head by a flying tennis ball. Should we ban children from the beach do you think? They can seriously mar one's enjoyment.
Thu Feb 15 09:18:57 2007
Martin Howe, Warminster, Wiltshire
Having holiday'd in Borth for the past 3 years and having brought a rescue dog with me for the past 2 years. I agree 100% with Graham Walker's comments but would make the following additional points. 1.Dogs appear to me to be allowed on the beach to the left (looking out to sea) of the lifeboat station / public toilets at all times. 2. I have yet to see a dog being illegally exercised on the beach towards the village centre where it is clear that dogs are banned between May and September. 3.Perhaps the percieved problem at Borth is a lack of understanding of the local byelaws by visitors. 4. I cannot recall seeing any dog mess on the beach during my holidays in Borth. Human waste, including food wrappers, disposable nappies, fishing tackle, drinks bottles etc. etc. seems to me to be a far greater problem. 5) Most dog owners are responsible caring people. Yes there are dog owners who fail to clean up after their pets all over the country. 6. Part of all beach's should be dog free. 7. With regard to enforcement the question is not so much who is responsible but who pays.
Mon Oct 16 10:09:41 2006
Graham Walker from Mirfield
I am a very responsible dog owner and agree entirely with Meill's comments. It is appalling that people do not clean up after their dogs, it simply penalises those dog owners who are good citizens and behave responsibily! My family and I have been coming to Borth for many years now, both during the February half term break (when dogs are allowed on the beach) and in summer (when dogs are banned) which really spoils our family enjoyment.
There should not be a banning order preventing dogs from going on the beach; rather some firm enforcement personnel who have the authority to approach 20 dog owners and demand to see the equipment they are carrying to clean up after their dogs. Any owner not able to show appropriate equipment should be served with a heavy fine. The revenue generated could be used to provide more dog litter bins and to fund their regular emptying.
If this solution, or something similar, was implemented and enforced we could all enjoy the beach. The penalty would then be imposed on the perpetrator rather than innocent responsible dog owners.
Tue Oct 3 10:00:14 2006
Neill Moran, West Midlands
The number of dogs on the beach, and fouling the beach and footpaths in Borth is disgusting. In the past I have even had a dog come and urinate up my windbreaker while my young children were playing there in the sand. All I got from the owner was a lame 'oh sorry'.
As to who enforces the dog ban on Borth beaches, I have no idea. The coastgaurd is there to save lives so its not up to them. I suppose really its up to the local police force. With the nearest police station being in Aberystwyth, along with the police only really interested in catching speeding! motorists, there's not much hope of them doing anything about it.
Still it will take a lot more then this to put me off visiting Borth.
Wed Sep 6 16:58:02 2006
Add your thoughts and comments here:
Dogs are banned from Borth beach between 1 May and 30 September but how is the ban enforced? That's what Sue Contestabile from Llandrindod Wells wanted to know when she emailed us in July 2006. 
