Dogwalking Survey results

CBRRA DOGWALKING SURVEY RESULTS

A very large proportion of residents in Camps Bay own dogs and love to take them out for exercise, but these dog walks have become a pain to dog owners rather than a pleasure thanks to the enforcement of the bylaw against dogs off leash. Problem is that many of the dogs in Camps Bay are medium to large dogs. They are not lapdogs. They are part of our security system. They need more exercise than what a normal middle-aged person can give them on leash. Frankly, they need somewhere where they can run free, meet other dogs, play, splash in the sea and generally enjoy themselves. We owe it to them.

CBRRA understands that the enjoyment of the use of the beach by people who do not own dogs must also be ensured, in a manner by means of which dog owners and the remainder of the beach going population can be equally and fairly catered for. CBRRA has therefore evolved a solution which it considers will amicably solve the existing ongoing problem. As proposed at CBRRA's public meeting on 16 March 2010, it wishes to take a proposal to the Ward Forum for consideration and hopefully submission to the Sub-council for approval. The issue will be discussed with City Council officials, but firstly we needed to assess the reaction of the community.

• We ran a survey through our blog. This was advertised on our blog and in the Atlantic Sun.

• Our proposal stated: ITEM 1: DOGWALKING ON THE MAIN CAMPS BAY BEACH: 

SUMMER: 01 November to 30 April
a. Dogs only on leashes - 6 pm to 5 am
b. Dogs not on leashes - 5 am to 9 am
c. No dogs allowed on beach - 9 am to 6 pm.

WINTER: 01 May to 31 October
d. Dogs only on leashes – 3 pm to 6 am
e. Dogs not on leashes - 6 am to 11 am
f. No dogs allowed on beach - 11 am to 3 pm

As a further initiative we also gauged your reaction to the following proposal:

ITEM 2: DOGWALKING IN THE GLEN: 

All areas except The Glen picnic area: 
a. OFF LEASH: ALL HOURS
The Glen picnic area: 
b. ON LEASH: Saturday & Sunday 12h00 to sunset.
c. OFF LEASH: All hours except the abovementioned.

• A total of 142 responses were received.

• Although 118 responses were in favour of YES TO ALL of our proposal, many residents showed a negative reaction to any dog off leash at any time due to an experience with a dog owner who was unable to manage their dog off leash. We urge you to take other residents into consideration while walking your dog and to be a responsible dog owner.

We will submit our proposal at the next Ward Forum for consideration.