A TYWYN councillor has welcomed Gwynedd Council’s new consultation on dog controls, saying that the changes proposed will benefit the town.

Cllr Mike Stevens, who represents Tywyn on Gwynedd Council, feels that dog management in the town is “vitally important”.

He said: “I am fully supportive of Gwynedd Council’s new public consultation on Public Space Protection Dog Control orders which I feel is long overdue.

“The order is also reviewing the beach restriction area which prohibits dogs in certain areas from 1 April to 30 September.

“I have been calling for over a year to have the area on Tywyn beach reduced.

“At present dog walkers wishing to take their dog on the beach at Pier Road must walk approximately 300 yards from the Pier Road slipway along the prom to find the dog friendly area of beach.”

Cllr Stevens added: “The consultation is recommending reducing this so dog walkers can now go on the beach at Pier Road slipway, which I think is very sensible. Dog management is vitally important as there are more dogs around now than there have ever been.

“Obviously throughout the tourist season the number greatly increases with visitors bringing dogs with them, my own daughters dog loves coming to Tywyn.

“We have to accept, however, that not all people are dog lovers and I have met many people with children who are very afraid of dogs.

“By having a zoned beach with a small dog restriction area, we are trying to cater for everyone.

“It is very disappointing that some dog owners completely ignore the restrictive area and allow their animal to run free.

“That is very selfish and shows no consideration to people and children who do not wish to associate with dogs.

“The restriction area applies 24 hours a day from April to September.

“The main concern of most people, including dog owners, are those dog owners who do not pick up when their dog fouls.

“It’s only a very small minority but that is all it takes to cause great health problem for the community.

“Dog fouling is a particular danger to children.

“Cleaning up also applies to the dog friendly area of beach and it is not acceptable to kick sand over poo hoping the tide will wash it away.

“I would support imposing much stiffer fines for people who don’t clean up after their dog. Simply bag it and bin it, it’s not rocket science.

“I urge people to go to the Gwynedd Council website and take part in the consultation.”