"We believe that dogs have the right to be allowed on certain beaches, and that they would not impact on the rights of others whilst doing so," said Mr Phillip Page, an animal behaviourist living in Mossel Bay.
"Owners have the responsibility to ensure their pets' good health and walking them on a lead is just as much exercise as any. More importantly, it gets the dog to use its brain, which has a dual effect: to stimulate the animal and to create a position of authority by the owner over the dog."
Fourteen owners and their dogs attended the walk through Dana Bay. They took the opportunity to talk to other dog owners in the area about the importance and benefits of the exercise.
Canines4help
Canines4help is a company started out of the need to get owners to understand their canines. Mr Page said he had so often been called by animal shelters to assist with animals that had been mistreated. He often has to help removing exceptionally violent animals from properties where they were being kept in terrible situations.
"I have been dealing with animals virtually all my life and have rarely come across "bad" animals, but I have in most cases found the situations in which these dogs had found themselves the result of the owners themselves."
He adds, "I am not for one second saying that all problems are caused by terrible people, but rather that people don't understand their animals. Their ignorance leads to these defenceless dogs being left at shelters for adoption. We need people to take responsibility for their pets and the first step is socialisation and spending time with them.
"We plan to do walks all around Mossel Bay weekly so that we can make it clear that not all dogs are violent and anti-social. Hopefully, in so doing, prove that dogs can be allowed onto beaches without causing destruction and mayhem."
Anri van Zyl said, "I think we should allow our dogs to enjoy the beaches of Mossel Bay, as they belong here as much as we do."
Amy Gibson added, "I feel that dogs should allowed to enjoy the environment, just as we do."
Kerry Beneke went on to say, "To be allowed to enjoy our beautiful beaches with our entire family would be a wonderful privilege."
Another lady, known only as Ria, thanked the organisers of the walk and expressed the desire to attend many more such walks.
Fourteen owners and their dogs took to the streets of Dana Bay, to create awareness for the need of owners to socialise and exercise their pets. Photo: Tersia Marais
ARTICLE: SEAN SNYMAN
'Ons bring jou die nuutste Mosselbaai | Tuinroete nuus'
