Under new regulations, dogs will be forbidden from swimming in delineated areas. Severe fines up to the astronomical maximum of €4,658 for a first offence will also be imposed.

Dogs pose no threat to others on beaches. Firstly, there are no diseases that can be caught by humans from a dog swimming nearby. If this was true, then what risks are the owners taking who actually live with the dogs?

Secondly, there have been no reports of any injuries sustained by children (or anybody) from dogs on a beach. Apart from young dogs which can be over-playful and a mild nuisance, dogs are normally well-behaved and children are often to be seen playing with them on beaches. I agree that you get the occasional nuisance but instead of restricting all dogs, could one not oblige the owner to produce some obedience class certification if they want them off the lead? And, remember, there have been occasions where dogs have saved peoples’ lives.

Finally, most dog owners usually take their dogs for a swim early morning – when there are no bathers around. Also, how about identifying an area where dogs can swim? And while we are at it, maybe an area where they can run free?

The situation is quite simple: If the problem is irresponsible dog owners who don’t clean after their dogs, then this is the problem to be tackled – please don’t punish all dogs and their owners, especially as the regulations will do nothing to deter people who do not clean after their dog.

Surely there are more important issues to be dealt with, like making sure the beaches don’t look like rubbish dumps in the morning (although it must be said that the department in charge of cleaning do a great job – I pity the workers who have to do it).