The Royal Welsh Show organisers said the ban on dogs - with the exception of guide dogs - was made on health and safety grounds as unleashed pets had caused "chaos" in animal sheds in the past. Tell us what you think about the decision.
Barry Evans from Tywyn sent us this message in November 2009:
Barry:"I agree with the ban on dogs to the show. It's not fair to take the dog to the with so big a crowd at the show . I am a dog lover and wouldnt dream of taking mine to the show. they would get pushed around . get real folks it shows you are thinking of your self and not the dogs."
Roger Health from Merthyr Tydfil sent us the following comment on 23 July 2009:
Roger:"I disagree with the society's decision to ban all dogs from the show. Dogs are part of the family to most responsible dog owners, they are not a commodity to be abused and discarded, they tend to be well behaved...The positive comments could continue, however as with everything there are exceptions and the opposite is true. Should the committee react to the minority? If it believes it should then perhaps they should ban any person under 21 as there are a small minority of drunken hooligans, perhaps they should ban the sale of any alcoholic beverage because of these moinorities, perhaps they ban the sale of food because of the minority discarding waste food and wrappers over the showground. Again perhaps it would be better not to run a show because of the actions of a small minority?"
Denise Hanlon from Cefneithin joined the debate on 22 July 2009:
Denise:"As a dog owner and exhibitor I have to agree with the ban on dogs at the show. In past visits I have felt so sorry for hot, tired dogs being dragged around all day. At Championship dog shows charities provide an unentered dogs tent and for a minimal charge we can leave our dogs, supervised, for the duration of the show. Perhaps this could be allowed at the top of the car park entrance or similar, in the future.
If the society could see their way to invite a local rescue charity, then all would benefit.
Gina Clarke from St. Leonards-on-sea made the following point in July 2009:
Gina:"I can understand why RWAS bans dogs, but if they do this then surely they should make provisions (in interest of family welfare) for visitors arriving who have no prior knowledge of the ban. What about holiday makers, people attending the show for several days, etc? Not everyone can leave pets at home .. why not have a list of local kennels available? Good for local business. If Llandrindod Wells can supply kennels during the Victorian festival, then surely it is within the power of the Society to do the same. I know for a fact that there has been an offer by a local lady offering to supply temporary kennels on site.. so why not take her up on it.
A charge would have to be made of course, but no-one would mind ..it would be better than dogs being left in cars and having visitors leave without even getting onto the showground. Very bad public relations. It would certainly restore some goodwill amongst some of the longer attending people who have had to forgo the show in rece!
nt years. An oservation..is it more dangerous having dogs on site, or having cannons blasting the roof off in the fascinity of fractious bulls, highly strung horses etc?? I think not! The show is the best in the world and everyone should be able to go."
Thomas from Kenfig Hill didn't pull any punches when he contacted us in July 2009:
Thomas:"The dog ban is appaling. I hope the show lose a lot of revenue because of it. my family are unable to attend due to the ban,and how many others are like us.
The committee are a bunch of narrow minded, stuffy individuals who are self obsessed with their power of authority.
Isn't this an agricultural show of animals or not.
They don't deserve anyone to attend the show."
Carol Jones joined the debate in June 2009:
Mervyn:"I do agree with the dog ban - dog dirt is the responsibility of the dog owners but some don't see it that way on the day - the amount left is undescribable- good on the ban but no !!!I am not a dog hater but a dog lover and the day itself can be harassing for the owners let alone the animals."
Mervyn from Brecon made his views known in September 2008:
Mervyn:"Do these people live in the real world. I think people should stop going to teach these arrogant people a lesson. My family stopped some time ago. We go to Haverfordwest. More stalls, nicer welcome."
Beth from Swansea made her point in August 2008:
"It seems to me to be a strange reason as dogs are still welcome at the smallholders show where there are animals in the sheds as well as enclosures on the fields. When I contacted them by phone and email I was told over the phone because thats what's been decided and they didn't even bother to reply to my email. In the past years when I have attended the show both with and without my own dogs I have never been aware of any uncontrolled animals. As they seem to be unwilling to change this decission it means that I am no longer able to attend the show as I can't afford 3 days kenneling fees for one day out (day before as we have to leave early in the morning, the day of the show, and the day after because our return home would be after 6 it comes to the sum total of £36 ) plus the ever increasing petrol prices means that I am no longer able to attend a show that has been one of the highlights of my year and my little girl will not be able to enjoy the experiences offered so they have lost the entrance fees (not to mention all the money we spend once there) of 3 adults and 1 child."
Lorraine Langford from Llanrhystud made her views known in August 2008:
Lorraine:"Am I the only person who attended the show on Wednesday this year to have seen several dogs on the showground?? I saw at least 4 being walked around including terriers and a black labrador. We had to leave our dog at home because of the ban - so how did these dogs slipping the net? I'm outraged."
Karen Cheetham joined the debate on 30 July 2008:
Kareen:" Country people own dogs and to visit the show, the dogs would have to be left alone for a long period at home. If no help is available at home to look after dogs, the show may have to be missed. Surely our shows need more people to attend, not less."
Sarah Thompson made this point on 23 July 2008:
Sarah:" I think it is a real shame they are not allowed as most dog owners are responsible and keep control of their dogs. we take our 2 springers to all the county shows around the south west and they have accompanied us to badminton horse trials as well and have never caused anyone any problems - it breaks my heart to put them in kennals and means i only come to the royal welsh on one day rather than all 4 due to the cost of kenneling and not wanting to leave them for too long - surely it would be better to allow dogs and then give a lifetime ban to those owners who fail to control their dogs or do not pick up their dog mess after themselves!"
Tracy Hughes from Dunvant, Swansea agrees with the ban:
Tracy:"I am a dog lover but I agree that family pets should be banned from the showground. It gets very busy at the show and it is difficult enough to get passed people who are dawdling or pushing prams without dogs getting underfeet! Dogs are still allowed to attend Badminton Horse trials and everybody seems to take them (like an accessory) but they do cause chaos when they become loose."
R and P Caswell from Gilwern, Abergavenny sent us their comments in July 2008:
R and P Caswell:"There seems to be a vendetta against dogs these days and to ban them from The Royal Welsh Show, a show where animals are the main attraction, seems mean and narrow-minded to us. It is not the dogs that should be banned, it is the disgusting people who cannot control their drinking and vomit and defecate in public places. Most dog owners are responsible people who clean up after their dogs, if necessary. But the people who vomit and defaecate never clean up after themselves. They have toilet facilities available and are presumed to know how to use them, and do not. We think the organisers should think again. There will be many dog lovers unable/unwilling to attend the show, which will be their loss, of course, but the show's loss too."
Deborah from Aberdare agrees with the band but has some stern words about unruly children.
Deborah:"As the owner of 2 Rhodesian ridgebacks who come pretty much everywhere with us, I think the dog ban is a good idea as we have had a lot of incidents where irresponsible parents let their children harass our dogs and then complain when they get told off by us. No matter how well behaved a dog is or how gentle its temperament , it is still an animal after all ! Unfortunaltey if your dog does so much as bark at an annoying kid,the owner is seen to holding a 'devil dog that must be aggressive'.There should be a ban for unruly children as well. I have experienced more problems with cheeky, out of control children than I have ever had with dogs.Please don't think I hate children as our daughter is 12 and agrees with our views. Even though dogs are part of country life, agricultural shows are now too commercialised with too many people not paying attention to where they are walking. You can't blame your dog for biting if it gets stood on - but it could cost your dog it's life.It's not worth the risk !! It's not about animals & country life no more, it's all about income !!!
Unless my dogs are competing in a show, We leave them safe with our family. Please consider you own dogs."
Karen John from Haverfordwest thinks the ban is a good idea.
Karen:"I am a dog lover and I think it is a good idea for the dogs benefit as at these shows it can be too hot, and to be honest would you like to be dragged around the place against your will? It can't be much fun for them."
Mr Royle from the West Midlands blames the dog's owners.
Mr Royle:" It's the owners not the dogs, they should keep them under control.
Mick Rhys from Redcliffe, Queensland, Australia backs the ban.
Mick:"I think if the dog is not directly involved in the show or belonging to someone directly involved with the herd animals and thus in need of a herding/shepherding dog, then the dog should not be there. I can only state my opinion as it relates to the Ag shows we have in Australia. Family pets don't belong at Ag shows! Working dogs do! So many animals stand to be mauled by the so called friendly family pet, and the majority of owners of dogs out there have no real perception of what makes for an obediant properly trained dog. Dogs have a pack structure and hierarchy that they apply to their human 'pack', whether the owners know it or not. Many dogs are inadvertantly made 'Top Dog' by their owners and by default are not in charge of the animal, the animal is in charge of them.
If a strictly enforced rule is put in place that all family pets are placed on a lead at all times and in the control of a responsible adult I would see no problem. As such rules are rarely enforced though I would stand by my own opinon."
Anne from Kington supports the dog ban.
Anne:"I feel that dogs and pushchairs have no place at a crowded place like the royal welsh show. I feel sorry for dogs to have to fight their way through the crowds. people must be mad to even contemplate bringing a dog to such an event. I feel sorry for the animals. I leave mine at home in peace and quiet. I also think that pushchairs are not a good idea. I am a mother myself but think they are not a good idea at such an event."
Sue Sykes from Holmfirth thinks the dog ban is a bad decidion.
Sue:"Dreadful decisison to ban dogs. I have never been to a country show where dogs were banned and I have never ever seen a abadly behaved dog, shame on you, you wont even allow guide dog pups in training!"
Phil from Wells had a response in July 2007 to a comment by Barry Coates from Stoke-on- Trent "Also why did traders be allowed their dogs on site?.
Phil:"As traders we take our Alsation with us to all the shows at which we exhibit. Why? Because we need protection from the very small minority of drunken morons who visit the shows. At a previous RWS some years ago we had drunks urinating and defacating on our stand as well as stealing from and abusing us. To their credit the RWS has made tremendous improvements to this situation and we now have no trouble whatsoever. However we still take our dog just in case. As far as we as traders are concerned, no dog...no show.
Russell from Cwmgwrach is amazed at the ban.
Russell:"a country show without dogs, you can't be serious. Stop the townies organizing if they don't like the country and country ways...what are they doing organising a country show?"
David Maggs from Treorchy called for the ban to be lifted in July 2007.
David:"My wife and myself have attended the Royal Welsh show for years and always take our border terrier, she goes everywhere with us, and if she can't go anywhere then we don't go, she is part of the family. Needless to say we haven't been to the show since the ban and probably will never go again. In all the years we have been we have never seen an unleashed dog or heard of anyone being bitten, I think they are making these stories up as an excuse and should scrap the ban so the real animal lovers can once again attand the show with their whole 'family'".
Tony Ham from St Brides pulls no punches.
Tony:"For a country show how can you ban dogs. Does this mean no dog shows or gundog trials?"
Amy from Swansea claims Show organisers need to provide more publicity about the dog ban.
Amy:"Well I think that dogs should be allowed on the showground !! It isn't fair to the dogs to be banned from what is meant to be a family day out. But if you do ban them then you should make more notice of it because alot of people bring they're dogs then find out they can't bring them in, and that is when dogs have to stay in cars because after traveling all that way who wants to have to go home. Sort it out."
Helen from Bangor believes dogs should be allowed at the show.
Helen:"It is an 'Agricultural' show - what's the problem with taking dogs? After all don't dogs herd sheep and cattle? If they are worried about dogs fouling, what about the fat cows, bulls, sheep, horaea and ponies? Output is usually diectly related to size - compare a Labrador to a Hereford or Welsh Black Bull! I've seem indiscriminate parents let their children urinate ... and not in the loos! At least us responsible dog-owners do clear up afterwards! Come on - be user and dog friendly!"
Luke Andrew from Brithdir denounces the ban:
"I recently read about the dog ban at the Royal Welsh and saw the anger directed by people and I'd like to say it's very apt. Dogs should not be banned because it's part of the setting in which we live; we live in a rural community where dogs play a key part in the harmony of our livelihoods. I would like to denounce the ban as it's totally unjust towards dog owners who enjoy taking their dogs out on day trips."
Jane from Devil's Bridge says she wants the dog show returned to the July event :
"Every year hundreds of dogs where shown in the show. Spectators sat for hours watching the different breeds. Now we are not welcome. Instead we show in May at the smallholders show and its not the same. Every year people ask me where has the dog show gone.Bring it back to the July show."
Priscilla Bubb from Newcastle Emlyn says her dogs are happy to stay at home on show day:
"I can't imagine anything worse for a dog no matter how much it loves to be with it's owner than being dragged around a showground like the Royal Welsh all day. They are also a nuisance to other people walking around. Am I a dog hater? No, I have five but they are happy to stay at home on show day."
Lisa from Pontypridd says the show should provide temporary kennels:
"I disagree with the ban of dogs to the show ground. I do agree that they should not be allowed in the animal sheds. I think that big dogs should wear a muzzle. A lot of people who travel to the show for the week take dogs. I think the show should cater for them, weather or not allowed in the show they should put up temporary kennels for the day."
Pam from Port Talbot says a ban makes sense:
"I think that it's a good idea to ban dogs from the show because the weather gets very hot and dogs can be very unpredictable in hot weather, plus the fact that not everyone cleans up foul mess after their dogs and there are so many little children there that it's not fair to either the animal or the children. As everywhere is so overcrowded that it could make the dogs nervous and cross and they could quite easily nip someone."
Susan Jeswine from Seattle, Washington draws a comparison with shows in the States:
"The show is wise to ban the dogs. It's best for the dogs, clearly. I'm sorry to see correspondents objecting to exhibitors and vendors having their dogs. Making the great assumption that the Royal Welsh is similar to some of our big shows, when we exhibited we arrived two days before the show and pulled out the day after the last day. Our dog was very much the one who was always alert and aware of our property. We relied on him for protection."
Laura from Caerphilly voiced her support for the ban during the 2006 Royal Welsh Show:
"Although I love dogs I can understand why they are not allowed on the showground and I agree with this decision. There are far too many people attending these days and it's not fair to drag dogs around a busy showground on a hot day. There is no provision for dogs to have water or shelter from the heat, and what about their toilet needs? I don't particularly want to be avoiding dog's mess in addition to hoards of people. I think it's selfish of owners to want to take them along - it's a long and tiring day for humans, never mind our four-legged friends. I hope the RWAS sticks to its guns on this issue. "
Tim from Powys would like to extend the ban:
"As a livestock exhibitor, I was glad that dogs were banned from the showground. Even though they were supposedly not allowed in the livestock areas, they frequently were upsetting the livestock. Another thing I would like to see banned from the livestock area are pushchairs and prams. This show I had several near misses whilst moving my stock from their pens to the show rings and was made to feel that it was my fault!"
Helen Thomas from Anglesey emailed us on the third day of the show in July 2005:
"Today we have made a 300 mile round trip, taken a day off work and our child has missed a day from school, for our first visit to the show, only to be told at the parking field that dogs are banned from the showground. We had with us our six month old Bichon. I phoned the main office to ask about kenneling facilities as we had our dogs travelling cage with us to be told there were none. The only option open to us was to leave the dog in the car which we would not even consider. We then left with a crying child. We have had dogs for the past 20 years they are part of our family life and we consider ourselves to be very responsible owners. I would not consider taking a dog onto the show ground to cause chaos and I would expect anyone who did to be asked to leave. My final point is this ban should be publicised in the press and on the television adverts, whereby people could make their own decision to attend or not, thereby saving a great deal of time, money and dissapointment."
Philip Roe from Argoed near Blackwood applauds the ban:
"I am glad that the RWAS has had the bravery to ban dogs, leaving the showground free for people to enjoy without the nuisance of dogs and dog owners. A show or any event with lots of people milling around is not the place for dogs. If they run free they are a nuisance, if they are on leads they are nuisance, getting caught in peoples' legs etc, if they are on these extendable leads they cause utter chaos. Well done the Royal Welsh. Let's hope they hold out on this, and other shows and events follow suit."
Julie Jeffries from Newport says the show's not much fun for dogs anyway:
"I just wish dog owners would stop being selfish and think about how the dog would feel. All the dogs can see are people's legs and being triped over by passerbyers. This is not fun for them. Come on, think of the dogs not yourself."
Julie Roberts from Abertillery was surprised to hear about the ban:
"I found this to get show dates for this years show, good job I did as I had no idea that dogs were banned. Last time we came, there were dogs at the showground. I am disappointed as I now own two labradors which we were taking this year. There is no way we would have left them in the car so we would have had to go home. So far have not seen any tv adverts so would you mention this in the ad so others do not end up being turned away at the gate. It is a shame that some people are irresponsible which have wrecked it for decent dog owners."
Emma Heather is worried that having no dogs will change the atmosphere of the show:
"Dogs are a wonderful sight to see at the show, but some owners should take more care with their pets. I do feel very against the ban on dogs not attending the show as it takes a part of the atmostphere and the wonderful sights and sounds away from a otherwise fanastic week in Builth Wells."
Barry Coates from Stoke-on- Trent says the policy should be changed:
"Vey heart broken. Our dog is a big part of the family. If the Royal Welsh wants its out of area visitors to attend, it needs to re-think its actions. HRH Prince Charles gave a very out spoken speech on the opening day "back to the country ways". Well dogs play a very large part of that. Also why did traders be allowed their dogs on site????? If this ban continues i will never attend again."
Robbie from Carmarthen says the ban makes sense:
"Having been to several shows recently where dogs have been allowed, I believe the ban to be good for the dogs. There are just too many people and other things going on for the dogs to understand. Leave them in the comfort of their home and enjoy the show yourself."
S Hughes from Llanwrda feels it is a great pity to ban dogs from the showground :
"I vist many shows and have never seen dogs causing trouble - most of the visitors are animal aware and keep their dogs under control. There is also lots of rubbish talked about health risks with dogs - can you honestly use that as an argument when the showground is full of livestock or is it only dogs that pose a risk? Another factor is that visitors may then be forced to leave dogs in cars in very hot and dangerous weather."
Michael Jones from Aberystwyth has emailed to say:
"It's not dogs that should be banned, it should be the owners and they must be trained properly before owning a dog. Dogs reflect the attitude of the owners.
David from Llandrindod says it was unfair that the dogs ban didn't apply to everyone:
"Judging by the number of people who attempted to bring their dogs through the turnstiles, the decision was clearly not sufficiently well publicised to showgoers. However, the biggest injustice was that the exhibitors were allowed to have their dogs on the showground and some, in the military deliberately exercised their dogs in clear view of the admission gates when memebers of the public with dogs were being turned away."
Amanda Edwards from Porth in the Rhondda Valley says she didn't find out about the ban until the last minute.
"We didn't know about the ban on dogs in the show ground until we reached the entrance, along with our Boxer. Our six year old son was crying and we just had to turn around and walk back to the car park. None of the marshalls had told us and in fact they were not aware themselves. The show is another event crossed off our list unless dogs are allowed back in."
Lynn Jessett from Trimsaran near Llanelli cancelled a planned visit to the Show after hearing about the dogs ban:
"My Father and I had never been to the Royal Welsh Show before but decided to go this year. Imagine our disappointment when we found out that dogs were not allowed. We never go anywhere without our dog - he is part of the family. If he cannot go, then we do not go. It is madness for a show about the rural way of life to ban dogs which are so much a part of that life."
Lisa from Cwmbran is also angry that she and other dog owners won't be able to take their pets to this year's Royal Welsh Show - and that the Dog Show has also been dropped from the programme.
"I have attended every year since 1996. When I was informed last year that there was to be no dog showing this year I was disgusted. This is a big day out for my dogs (family included). The Royal Welsh will never be the same again without a dog show or me as I won't be going to any more shows."
- The dog show dropped by the Royal Welsh Show in 2001 is being revived - but it is being kept separate from the centrepiece event. Read more from the BBC News Archive - or have Your Say.
