Plans to ban Dogs from a Norfolk Beach

I have a lifelong passion for birds and birding, equally, I have had a lifetime passion for dogs. I have read recently about plans to ban dogs from a Norfolk Beach, I have written about this before and feel the need to write further on the subject.

Sadly, as it is often the case, it is the small minority of dog owners who fail to control their dogs and clean up after them.  It is sad to have to write that this is not the case with humans, the so-called most intelligent of species, when we see the damage and litter left behind on a single day trip to the coast, multiply these single days into several days, weeks, and then months, then we must revisit the issue and look who should really be banned from beaches, especially those of sensitive wildlife value.

Visit any beach following a day out by lots of humans and see the waste and rubbish left behind, yes, there is also some evidence of dog waste, but this in no way compares to the lasting damage left by humans.

I started this post by establishing my lifetime passion for birds and birding, and I always emphasise I am NOT a twitcher.  I now turn to the twitcher community where evidence of unruly behaviour and criminal activity occurs.  Burnham Overy Staithe Sept. 2017 evidences this when 50 twitchers illegally entered a field owned by the Holkham Estate in an attempt to see a rare Warbler which undoubtedly wanted to be left in peace.  This particular event saw cattle fencing knocked down and reeds trampled, as well as trespassing on private land.

More recently than this during COVID lockdown, twitchers thought it ok to break national guidelines in an attempt to see a rare bird. Some twitcher types complained about dog walkers potentially disturbing the bird, however, they did not challenge their own behaviour which included trampling over sensitive marshland habitat.  It was sad to see that the Bird Report failed to report on these rule breakers in their account on said bird.

Further evidence of poor human behaviour included those who think it ok to approach Seals too closely, as well as those offshore who ride high speed machines far too close to Seal colonies.

 Who should we be banning from our beaches? Should all dogs be banned because a minority of dog owners cannot control their dogs or clean up after them, or should we be banning humans who leave vast amounts of litter, discard plastic items, discarding of needles causing potentially life threatening concerns, cause disturbance, egg thieves, those who engage in criminal activity in order to pursue their quarry, those who disrespect the countryside and coast, and those who find it so difficult to follow simple rules and guidelines.  It seems quite clear to me that it is the human element that is the real problem here, and it is indeed humans who should be banned from beaches, NOT dogs.

Our beaches and countryside is for all to enjoy, not just a select few who want to pursue their interest without others getting in their way.

Once again, Dogs are easy targets because they don't have a voice, I therefore like to speak for them by saying dogs are not the problem, it is human behaviour.  It is quite obvious that it is humans who should be banned from sensitive beaches.