Dog walking is good for you, group says

A GROUP of Torquay friends say walking their dog on the beach is not only responsible for them all meeting in the first place but has also done wonders for their mental health.

The group, which walks along Fisherman’s Beach to reach The Salty Dog Café by 9am before the restrictions begin, says the existing dog regulations are fine.

There are about 20 people in the informal group, with some friendships stretching back as long as two decades.

“We don’t have a name, we’ve all just become friends by walking on a beach, meeting people and other dogs,” Christopher Carroll said.

“Everyone we’ve spoken to says it is the most social thing about Torquay – go and walk on the beach with your dog, and you meet everyone.”

Several members said regularly walking the dog on the beach gave them something to do and kept them active.

“There are a lot of positives to owning a dog and getting out and about,” Judy Campbell said.

Mr Carroll said almost everyone followed the rules about dogs on beaches in Torquay and kneejerk changes would do more harm than good.

“For all the negative letters you see and people trying to change things, we think the dog rules are fine, there’s no problem at all.

“They save lives, these dogs.”