I AM writing in response to David Atherton’s letter in the Echo on Tuesday 22 May regarding dogs on the beach.

I don’t understand his expression “we all know what the euphemism exercising the dog means”. To me it means walking and letting your dog run on the beach – ie exercise. As a dog owner, who pays council tax, we have to accept that we cannot walk on the majority of the beaches from May – September with our dogs; why should we be banned all year?

There is a small minority of people who do not clear up after their dogs, just as there are a small minority of people who leave litter on the beach.

Are you suggesting we ban people from the beach as some leave litter?

Are you suggesting dogs should not be allowed to walk in the New Forest, on the pavement, at the parks, because some people don’t clear up after them?

In my opinion the dog ban should be reduced, to say 8am-8pm during May – September, so those of us who want to walk our dogs, can do so early in the morning or at the end of the day. I wouldn’t want dogs running round everywhere whilst people are trying to sunbathe, eat picnics etc, but why shouldn’t we be allowed to walk our dogs at quieter times of the day/year?

There are a huge number of responsible dog owners who have every right as tax payers and residents of Dorset, to enjoy the amazing beaches we have.

RACHEL CHURCHILL, address supplied