Kevan Ogden and Philippa Wadsworth on the blight of dog-friendly places, and the difficulty of trying to avoid them
Lottie Gross says that she loves Northumberland “for its vast open beaches” (20 of the best dog-friendly places to stay in the UK, 15 July). She’s not alone. We spend a lot of time on and around those beaches and are becoming increasingly dog-grumpy over what now feels like a canine invasion.
The article says that our “beaches and their dunes are dog‑friendly all year round, without a summer restriction in sight”. Unfortunately, too many owners take that literally, so that dog after dog is left “enjoying itself” running free along shore lines, spooking waders and even disturbing seals. Sanderling, redshank, oyster catchers, godwit, curlew, ringed plover, etc are forever being chased from feeding and resting areas.
