Pet protest stops traffic

NEVER before has Bexhill seen anything like the people-and-pets protest march which took over the town centre on Saturday.

The dogs came in all shapes and all sizes, all breeds and all temperaments.

The owners came with single-minded determination to oppose suggested legislation they feel will destroy their pets' freedom.

Together, they stopped the traffic and they turned heads.

But this was a peaceful protest - all bark and no bite.

Co-organisers Linda Aldous and Alison Hoyle were first delighted then astounded as owners and their pets converged on the De La Warr Pavilion, starting point for a protest march to the Town Hall.

Soon, the gathering filled half the pavilion terrace. Linda and Alison were kept busy handling out placards with messages such as "We want somewhere safe to walk."

The major bone of contention in this canine controversy is the proposal to limit the places where dogs may be let off the lead to a few designated areas.

Another is the specified length of lead.

Owner Sally Compton told the Observer: "My son is 6ft 5ins. My dog is small. A one-metre lead wouldn't reach the ground...."

Linda Aldous said: "I can understand people who don't want dogs running everywhere. What we would like is the bit of beach behind South Cliff designated for dogs.