ISLANDERS are split over the battle for dog rights on Chouet. A woman who last week launched a petition to ask the States to consider the ban of dogs off the lead on the beach said her aim was not to ban them from it. Sue Kirk yesterday said she wanted to get owners to be more responsible.

‘I am not trying to get dogs banned from the beach – they have every right to be there as well,’ she said.

‘The beach belongs to all but please be aware that some people big or small are not so compatible with dogs.’

Laura Mclean, daughter of Mrs Kirk, said the petition had been launched in the interests of children’s safety.

‘My son, who is just 21 months old, was knocked face down in the water yesterday by a dog and when I shouted out to the owner, she just kept running,’ said the 27-year-old.

‘Some people do control their dogs but yesterday I had had enough and called to tell the police what had happened to my son. Owners need to keep their dogs on a lead until they are in a safe area to let them off.

‘My son comes back crying because he’s been knocked over by a dog or he is standing so still because he’s petrified – I don’t want him to be scared anymore.

‘We have been dog owners before and would not put ours or anyone else’s children in that position – I just would not do it.’

A counter-petition by Kenieta Domaille, 23, was launched at the weekend to support Environment’s upholding of dogs’ rights on Chouet.

Beach-goers yesterday were divided about the two petitions.

Childminder Bev Hockey said dogs should not be allowed on the beach when children were around.

‘They come down here and wee everywhere,’ said the 26-year-old. ‘The kids don’t like it.

‘They should be kept on a lead, especially when it’s around the children. If the children have food in their hands, the dogs might come over and snatch it.

‘They should only be allowed on the beach at certain times.’

But dog owner Anne Cole, retired, said there were already too many beaches where she could not walk 11-year-old Darcy.

‘We have to come to this end of the island because we can’t go to Vazon, Cobo or L’Ancresse,’ she said.

‘Most dog owners are responsible people and will pick up after their dogs.

‘If the owners are responsible, then they will keep their dogs away from children, but in my opinion it is the children that excite the dogs rather than the dogs going over to the children.’