More than 6,000 people are calling for dogs not to be banned from beaches during the winter and spring months.

Lyme Regis resident Debbie Conibere has launched a petition for the town’s sandy beach and Cobb Gate beach to remain accessible to dogs during the off-peak season from October 1 to April 30.

Currently, dogs are allowed on the beaches during this time without a lead, but Dorset Council is reviewing this current Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) which was brought in by the former West Dorset District Council in 2017 and expires in December 2020. A public consultation is expected to take place next year.

Debbie said: “I have been talking to a lot of people and showing them petition cards, which were sponsored by the Pug and Puffin, asking them if they were aware of this. People think it’s ridiculous.

“I have been spending a lot of time talking to other dog owners and what I hadn’t realised was the loneliness factor. Especially in the winter, it can sometimes only be dog walkers on the beach and they don’t have anywhere else to congregate. For some, it is the only other people they will see that day and it broke my heart.

“Many Lyme Regis businesses rely on tourism and loving dog owners who come to visit the town in the winter and spring. Lyme Regis is so dog friendly, with many shops, cafes, pubs and restaurants allowing well-behaved dogs in their establishments.

“Take away the ability for visitors with dogs to use the sandy beach and Cobb Gate beach during the winter and spring seasons and the town risks removing Lyme Regis as one of the top destinations for visitors with dogs.

“Many of Lyme Regis’ loving dog owners, residents and visitors, are retired, have limited mobility or are registered disabled, which makes access to the further away beaches of Monmouth and Church Beach with their dog either impossible or extremely hard and the risk of tripping or falling on steps or uneven stones is a real hazard.

“The banning of dogs on sandy beach and Cobb Gate beach due to the actions of a minority of dog owners is discrimination against loving dog owners who do care for the environment and their dogs. An increase in policing by the Lyme Regis Town Council dog wardens would benefit the whole community by not allowing a minority of dog owners to break the current regulations and ensure Lyme Regis is free of fouling.”

A paper petition is also available to sign at Pug and Puffin, SWiM and Fat Face. The online petition is available at https://bit.ly/36oZrpZ

Business owners are also being asked for their views on this and how it would affect them. To find out more or to share comments, search for Lyme Regis’s Loving Dog Owners & Friends on Facebook.

Dorset Council were approached for a comment.

Lyme Regis Town Council has already expressed an interest in banning dogs from both beaches all year round.

Cllr John Broom, chairman of the town management and highways committee, said: “The council is aware of the petition, although it has not been formally presented to us.

“Any decision regarding dogs on the beaches at Lyme Regis will be taken by Dorset Council, which will shortly be carrying out a public consultation on the dog-related Public Space Protection Order.

“The town council will be responding to the consultation and will give its views on the level of dog controls it believes is appropriate in Lyme Regis.

“The town council’s current position is that dogs should not be allowed on Lyme’s Front Beach, both the sand and the pebbles, at any time of the year, but all other beaches in Lyme Regis should remain fully accessible to dogs all-year-round.

“The town council also feels there should be stricter rules in the town’s cemetery and will be suggesting dogs must be kept on leads.”