It's a dog's life - July 2, 2007

It was disconcerting to read about the apparent heavy-handed removal of a dog from the beach at Ghadira (June 18).

Notwithstanding the fact that I am without full knowledge of the situation regarding police officers effecting an extradition warrant on the hapless animal (who in any event would merely reflect the behaviour and social responsibility of its keepers - as with all animals), what truly amazes me is that the police were summoned and acted with such celerity and authority to remove the offending dog.

Moreover, when police officers are seldom seen - let alone acting appropriately or accountably when called to resolve more serious issues relating to incidents on public beaches. I refer to such scenarios as the amount of beach area expropriated (rather than legally allocated) by beach concession holders, the construction of tents on beaches, the parking of caravans on or near beaches, BBQs, etc.

For apparently these nefarious acts fall without the realm of either the police authority's interest or authority - but a dog on the beach.... Now that warrants a critical action status! Seemingly a law exists stating that no animals are allowed on the beaches at Ghadira or St George's Bay (what about all the other beaches incidentally?), which if it was strictly enforced would involve - come sundown - the removal of most of the human "animals", who occupy the beach at this time - causing immense disruption and total disregard to litter regulations among others!

I tend to concur with some sage philosophers who stated that it was only animals who were not expelled from paradise and that the more they saw of men they more they admired animals!

By George it's true, four legs good, two legs bad!