When my dog was a pup and a bit unruly I didn’t walk him on the beach without his lead on at all times. Now he’s trained and trustworthy I love taking him on the beach as much as he loves being there.

He’s never had any problems and often plays with the kids down there who throw stones and splash about with him and it’s great to see. While I totally accept there are idiots out there who don’t care about the welfare of others, most dog owners are very responsible.

In the winter time if it wasn’t for people out walking their dogs the beach would be deserted for months, so why chuck us off as soon as the sun breaks through?

Scarborough has enough problems with anti-social behaviour, drugs, violence in the streets and drunken teenagers roaming up and down the seafront on a Friday night, so why not concentrate more on that and spend less time panicking about a few dogs who 99 per cent of the time cause no problem at all.

Phil Lavery

Greenstead Road, Newby