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More than 100 owners and their pets marched along Deal seafront in a show of solidarity against proposed Dog Control Orders, on Saturday.
The walk, from Sandown Castle to Boundary Road, Kingsdown, followed the route marked out for the new dog restrictions, which includes an all-year ban of dogs on Deal beaches.
Organiser of the walk Steven Colburn formed Deal Dog Community in July after discovering both Deal Town Council and Walmer Parish Council had passed recommendations in relation to Dog Control Orders in the areas, for Dover District Council to consider.
Poll: Should dogs be banned from Deal beach? Scroll down to vote
Since then, the group has fought actively against the proposals; holding meetings and spreading awareness while out walking with their pets in orange bandanas.
Mr Colburn had sewn 100 orange bandanas to share out at the event on Saturday, which “all went.” The group had chosen the orange theme as it is the colour of the fluorescent paint used by Dover District Council to highlight the problem of dog fouling.
"We’re just over a month away from the public consultation and we’re prepared. We’ve got the Dogs Trust legal team on side” - Steven Colborn who is against the proposed dog restrictions.
Mr Colburn said: “A massive thank you to everyone that turned out. I was amazed by the turn out.
“People are so engaged. The amount of people asking what our orange bandanas meant and being able to tell them was fantastic.
“The biggest thing I will take away from the day was how amazing our Deal dogs are.
“Not a single incident of aggression and lots of new doggie friends were made.”
He added: “Please make sure your dogs wear their orange bandanas with pride whenever you’re out and about and carry on the conversation. We’re just over a month away from the public consultation and we’re prepared. We’ve got the Dogs Trust legal team on side.”
The group which is 635 members strong on Facebook, feel if the proposals sent to the district council are implemented, the huge majority of responsible dog owners would suffer for the actions of the few.
The group is particularly opposed to the dog exclusion order, banning dogs on the beach from Deal Castle to Boundary Road during the summer and the dogs on lead order on the beach from Deal Castle to Boundary Road during the winter season.
Dover District Council’s public consultation on dog control orders is expected to be released on Monday, October 6. Deal Dog Community will host a meeting following it.
