Incensed on beach

I believe that this man is a dog walker. Dog walkers play a very valuable part for people who cannot walk their dogs during the day for whatever reason, and I am not knocking dog walkers.

However, one of the dogs barked at a man walking on the Prom and was no more than 10 yards from the dog walker, but he didn’t seem to notice and proceeded to walk down onto the beach followed, eventually, by the dog.

One of the other dogs then went to toilet right in front of the man, who seemed to veer away from the dog.

I was so incensed at this, I shouted at the young man to clear it up. I couldn’t hear what his reply was, but after a number of shouts he eventually pulled a bag from his pocket, waved it at me, went back and bent down, seemingly picking up the mess.

I have come across this young man previously on Bonfire Night, walking the dogs outside my home, where one dog went to toilet (in front of two police officers who did nothing) and when the man started to walk off and leave it. I asked him to pick up the mess and he replied he didn’t have any bags on him. I gave him the bags that I had.

My reason for writing is it’s not just the mess left behind – albeit that’s bad enough and five dogs would make at least 10 piles of poo in a day – but the danger of allowing your dog(s) to be walked when you or your walker are not taking any notice of them. A dog could easily be taken by a stranger, or eat something it shouldn’t or appear aggressive towards another dog or person.

If you use a dog walker, ensure that they are not just after the money but are actively interested in the dogs they are walking. This young man didn’t appear so.

If this young man is not a dog walker, then it is very sad to see him walk his own dogs without any care for them or those around him.

Chris Faerber

Beaumont Park Road

Littlehampton