Stop dog incidents blighting the island

This incident can be added to the tens of thousands of canine incidents occurring on this island every year. It should go without stating, but appears necessary nonetheless, a lifestyle choice of dog ownership should not come at any cost to the general public. Yet, issues surrounding our ever-increasing island dog population are undeniably costing this island, in various ways, every single day.

Guernsey is in need of a simple but effective management plan, targeting substantial reduction in canine-related burdens imposed on members of the public and island services. It is time for change. Dog owners should 100% pay their way for their own lifestyle choice, in terms of all related costs, and full and complete practical responsibility of not affecting the life enjoyment and peace others are seeking. Neither disturbing and having reductive effects on our wildlife; seabirds in particular.

I agree with the affected dog-owning farmer. Island farmland and livestock must be protected from dogs. However, I cannot agree with encouraging shifting yet more of the problem onto our sensitive beach environments.

Protect land, yes. But it is clearly more important both local and visiting people, as well as our natural wildlife, are at the front of the queue.

This is a call for common sense, seeking basic public order and support for majority of islanders, by the application of solutions that work for everyone.

Can someone within our newly-elected States please seek out and sweep out whatever it is that has been getting in the way of resolving the long-standing and oppressive local dog issues, and holding back this desperately needed quality-of-life improvement for islanders and visitors and urgent protection of our wildlife.

I urge the States of Guernsey to urgently consider:

1. All dogs on maximum three-metre leads in all public spaces, with immediate effect.

2. A database of all local dog DNA be established as soon as practicable.

3. A permanent, year-round ban on dogs from selected public spaces; Vazon Bay in particular.

4. Meaningful deterrent fines for breaches, with power to rehome dogs with someone more responsible.

5. Three managed canine woodland parks with integrated open spaces, created in different parts of the island. These parks could be located on otherwise costly-to-clear, disused vinery sites, within established rural areas.

Sites such as those never likely to be suitable for useful development, due to the location; in some cases, too contaminated for agriculture.

Financial support for projects can be raised through a number of canine-related revenue mechanisms, amongst other initiatives.

The above proposals do not require endless debate, or more costly, time delaying public consultation, with its obvious vested interest responses. It just needs government to open eyes and ears to this key quality-of-life issue, step up and facilitate fast, positive, practical change. The increasing island dog situation is untenable; has been so for far too many frustrating years; decades even.

Our wildlife needs a break, now. People need clean, peaceful, outdoor spaces to visit, now. Workable change is both possible and necessary, now.

NAME AND ADDRESS SUPPLIED

Vazon.protect@gmail.com