St Ives DOG Campaign gains momentum

THE campaign by dog owners to over-turn plans to impose 24-hour

summer dog control orders on popular beaches in St Ives and Carbis Bay is

gaining supporters on a daily basis.

The campaign group DOG (Dog Owners Group) is made up of

community spirited St Ives locals and now boasts a many of the town's visitors

as supporters.

Last week the group lodged its intention to judicially

review the new orders which St Ives Town Council approved last November. The

council is deferring any decision on sealing the orders while they seek legal

advice.

The group was formed to oppose the proposals last summer and

amassed a petition featuring signatures of 3,900 people against the new proposed

extended orders.

Campaign group member Barbara Nolan said: "We have had such

a lot of support from all over the UK and even some supporters from overseas.

"All we want is for the existing orders – which allow dogs

on beaches in the early morning and from 7pm in evening – to remain in place.

"We support the current restricted access and we also think

the town council should do more to enforce existing legislation for dog fouling

if there is a problem rather than introduce another bylaw that it will struggle

to police."

The campaigner added: "One of the other benefits of our

campaign has been to see people from all over St Ives and Carbis Bay come

together in a show of community spirit. There is a real sense of belonging here

and it is great to see so many people stand up for this cause and the sense of

pride they feel in the local area."

The group is funding the appeal through generous donations from

members and by arranging fundraising events. A cheese and wine evening was

recently enjoyed by many people at the Crypt Gallery which saw 70 people enjoy

the evening .

Now a new event is planned with fun and games for dogs and

their owners on Porthmeor Beach on March 24, the day the orders would have come

into force if they had not been put on hold.

The Dog Day Afternoon will be a picnic if the weather is

good, or just a gathering and some doggy games if not.

You can catch up with all the activities of the St Ives Dog

Owners Group on their facebook page www.facebook.com/lifesabeach or

on their website www.stivesdogownersgroup.org

where you will also find details of how to contribute to the legal fund.

Make a date: Dog Day

Afternoon

Sunday, March 24 3pm

Porthmeor Beach (Bring a picnic or brolly weather depending)