EDITOR – I am having great difficulty understanding the rationale behind prohibiting dogs on the section of beach between Ansteys and Brighton Beach.
I’d really like to hear the opinions of others in my situation.
I used to enjoy taking my toddler and my well trained, obedient dog down to Anstey’s beach when the tides coincided with my opportunities.
Dogs on that section of the beach are now prohibited. The law is vigorously upheld by a Metro Police officer who almost froths at the mouth as she blows on her whistle and threatens arrest if you are found with your dog. It would be far better if this resource could be used to police badly behaved dogs and/or owners who do not respect the environment.
I have had to accept that the only dog-friendly section of the beach close to where I live is now south of Brighton Beach. However it is unacceptable that the same stringent policing is not applied to the vagrants, drug addicts, alcoholics and other suspicious individuals who frequent that section. They openly deal and use drugs and alcohol, they behave violently towards each other, leave a trail of trash, burning embers and broken bottles with impunity.
I am not happy to expose my toddler to this environment. On Sunday we came across someone rolling his joint, and to add insult to injury, my son tramped on a hot coal and burnt his foot quite badly. I felt unsafe and the whole experience was uncomfortable. There was not a police presence in sight.
I haven’t even mentioned the drag racing that takes place on the beachfront road at Brighton, without any regard for public safety or the mongooses and feral cats whose wellbeing is jeopardised. Is there anybody out there who shares my concerns?
I’d like to bring my complaint before a council representative, but it would be helpful to know I’m not the only one.
Email bluff.resident01@gmail.com for contact.
DISSATISFIED BLUFF RESIDENT
