In response to Janet and John McKellar’s letter printed in the Tenby Observer last week, I apologise for the alarm my proposal to review our dog restrictions has caused. That was never my intention. The subject of dog restrictions came up during the election in May when a number of elderly and disabled dog owners in the Tenby North area asked if I could find a way of allowing limited access to North Beach in the summer months for dog owners who couldn’t manage the longer walk over to South Beach. There were also complaints about dogs on North Beach in the summer despite there being a dog ban in force. From the conversations I was having on the doorstep, it appeared that the existing dog restrictions weren’t working particularly well for anyone.

When Tenby North lost the Blue Flag it presented an “opportunity” not to let the beach go “to the dogs” but to look at what we were doing, how we could do things differently and get the Blue Flag back. I contacted the regional director of Keep Wales Tidy to find out why Tenby North lost its Blue Flag status. She explained that it was not due to dogs on the beach - it was caused by higher than normal levels of untreated sewage being released into the sea from the Combined Sewage Overflows on Tenby Harbour and Castle Beach. She went on to explain that dogs could be allowed to use a Blue Flag beach at certain times of the day as long as the restrictions are properly enforced.

So, following up on the promise I made during the election campaign, I came up with a proposal based on Cornwall’s restrictions which have been in place for two years. During the summer months, people would be able to go down for a beach walk with their dogs before 10am and after 6pm in the evening, leaving the beach dog-free between the hours of 10 am and 6pm.  Restrictions would be enforced by a beach warden. This post could potentially be funded by the Enhancing Pembrokeshire Fund.

I contacted Cornwall Council’s Environmental Protection Manager, Kevin Brader, who confirmed that Cornwall has three dog wardens (not 344 as claimed by your correspondent) and some town councils (e.g. St.Ives and Penzance) employ their own dog warden supported by their parking officers who are equipped to issue fines. The tourist industry has not been “devastated” by dogs. On the contrary, Cornwall now markets itself as a Dog Friendly Destination.

I know this can be an emotive subject with strong feelings on all sides. I appreciate that, as a dog owner, I could be accused of having a biased opinion on this issue. However, I have listened to views from all sides and contacted other local authorities and town councils to find out what has worked well for them. Even though Tenby has a healthy majority of dog owners who pick up after their pets, there’s a minority who still don’t. Even if the summer restrictions stay as they are I think Tenby would benefit from having a beach warden to remind everyone to pick up after their dogs and take their rubbish home when they leave the beach.

The proposal is just that - a proposal. No changes to the current beach restrictions would take place until a committee at Pembrokeshire County Council have considered them and then there would have to be be a full public consultation before any decision was made.

I assure Mr and Mrs McKellar that I will be working with the Town Councillors and Dŵr Cymru to get the Blue Flag back as soon as possible. I hope with common sense and mutual respect we can allow everyone to accept differing viewpoints, and all enjoy the beaches.