Should campsites adopt a no-dog policy?
- Thursday, 8 November 2007
- 7 Comments
YES
SAYS Dave Murray
HOME TOWN Brighton
VEHICLE Lunar Moonstar 570
I have been motorhoming for nearly 30 years and I cannot tell you the amount of times my tranquil holiday has been ruined by noisy, unruly dogs. I am not a 'dog-hater', lots of my friends keep pets, but I do object to them interfering with my touring. Too many owners do not seem to be able to control their dogs and if they are not running riot all over the campsite then they are fouling all over the place.
I understand that most campsites have strict rules regarding dogs and that some owners adhere to these, unfortunately in my experience most don't. Even the most well behaved owners cannot stop their dogs from barking and waking me from my peaceful slumber.
When I go touring I like to unwind and enjoy my surroundings but if there is a dog in the pitch next to me I simply can't relax for fear of it jumping up and over-excitedly greeting me or, even worse, growlling at me with frightening intent.
Dog-owners would say that dog-only areas would provide a solution but this would not stop them from yapping through the night – I say ban them all!
NO
SAYS Sue and Bill Wooderson
HOME TOWN Wisbech
VEHICLE Laika Ecovip 500L
We are dog owners ourselves, and we feel that there are already plenty of sites available for those who really do not like furry friends when they are holidaying. Those of us who prefer travelling with our dogs in tow are even prepared to pay some extortionate prices for the privilege.
For instance, when we stay on certain campsites we have to pay anything up to £3 per night per dog, just for the great freedom of travelling with our pets. In fact it often costs us more to pay for our pets than it does for ourselves. On a forthcoming trip it is costing us £72 for both our dogs for 12 nights while the fee for us is £52. This is something we feel is quite extraordinary. We do not see why we have to pay this extra cost as they are our personal dogs, staying in our private accommodation and all we get for the extra money is a specified dog walk and a doggy bin.
There's simply no question, our two Staffies Kobee and Bella would be devastated to be left behind. They race us to the motorhome! Sites must take dogs or we can't go. They are part of our family and we wouldn't dream of not taking them.
January 03 21:34
Sue Wooderson
So glad my comments have elicited a good response. Looking through these it appears that dog lovers are in the majority unless of course we are the only readers interested enough to reply.