Family say they won't return to Instow after dogs approach young daughters

A MOTHER and father will not be returning to Instow beach, after a dog urinated all over their daughter's buggy.

Whether dogs should have a free run of Instow beach has been a hot topic in recent weeks, with the parish council currently pondering the idea of introducing a dog control order on part of the beach.

Megan Ansell and Joe Mackenzie certainly think it should be considered, after their recent experience at the beach.

The pair, who live in Combe Martin, went to the beach last week, while Joe, a teacher, was on half term holiday. They arrived at the beach with May, who is nearly one, in a buggy while two-year-old Lola was walking alongside the buggy.

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"As soon as we got on the beach this Staffie came bounding towards Lola," said Megan. "Luckily Joe was there and picked Lola up, but the owner was paying no attention whatsoever."

Shortly after the family had another encounter with a dog. With May and Lola now sitting playing in the sand, Megan noticed another family come on to the beach.

Megan said: "As soon as they got on the beach they let their dog off the lead, and it came over and wee'd on the buggy.

"The woman who was with the dog came over, said a really insincere 'sorry' and walked off. We were just both in shock that they let their dog do it."

Megan accepted there were "tons" of other dogs on the beach and these two were the only ones to have caused a problem, but said dog owners should be more responsible.

"My parents have a dog and I sometimes walk it on the beach," she said. "But I keep it under control, especially if there are children around. If my dog did what these two did I'd be mortified.

"I won't take my family back while dogs are recklessly left to wander around urinating where my baby daughter sits and dangerous dogs left to charge within feet of toddlers," said Joe.

"I fully understand that dogs need a place to exercise, but while dog owners take no responsibility for their dog's actions I feel a ban is needed."

Instow Parish Council vice chairman Michael Green said stories like this were exactly why the council decided to consult the public over proposals to introduce a dog control order on the beach.

"We've had quite a number of such stories, and we find it a difficult situation," he said.

"It's an issue we're grappling with and we hope we can find a sensible solution."