According to Marianne Pace (Dogs And Children Swimming Together, August 20), dog owners (which I am not) should not be allowed to take their dogs swimming freely and she appeals to the authorities to “strike a balance between dog owners who want to take their dogs for a swim in this area, and us swimmers”.

I totally disagree. There is no balance needed between the two – they are perfectly compatible together. Quite the contrary, I thoroughly enjoy the company of a dog at the seaside and I laugh when I see such a dog enjoying itself swimming, head held high and paddling away.

Why is it that some of us simply abhor having animals around them? You see all sorts of parks and small gardens in Malta and Gozo with signs prohibiting dogs from entering! Are we now going to prohibit dogs from swimming “next” to us?

Do we want animals around only to serve and protect us? It’s not the first time that a dog came to the rescue of human beings in trouble at sea.

Ms Pace also appeals for CCTV surveillance “as some irresponsible dog owners let their dogs dirty the area and also the sand, which can prove to be very dangerous especially to children”. True: I simply hate such dirt. However, is this the only rubbish that Ms Pace chooses to see on the beach? CCTV surveillance would be welcome but there is so much more serious stuff that we need to survey, other than dog-poo! How about cigarette butts, plastic bottles, broken glass, used syringes, used condoms and other human-induced rubbish which is far more detrimental to children?

I am a swimmer. Respectfully, if Ms Pace does not feel safe next to a dog, it’s her problem. Only we, people who respect and look after animals, know the extent and the nonchalance of animal-cruelty going on in this country and I certainly feel that such a letter is detrimental to animal wellbeing.

We should cherish the presence of animals around us, not condemn it!