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.<\/p>\n
The group, which walks along Fisherman\u2019s Beach to reach The Salty Dog Caf\u00e9 by 9am before the restrictions begin, says the existing dog regulations are fine.<\/p>\n
There are about 20 people in the informal group, with some friendships stretching back as long as two decades.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe don\u2019t have a name, we\u2019ve all just become friends by walking on a beach, meeting people and other dogs,\u201d Christopher Carroll said.<\/p>\n
\u201cEveryone we\u2019ve spoken to says it is the most social thing about Torquay \u2013 go and walk on the beach with your dog, and you meet everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n
Several members said regularly walking the dog on the beach gave them something to do and kept them active.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are a lot of positives to owning a dog and getting out and about,\u201d Judy Campbell said.<\/p>\n
Mr Carroll said almost everyone followed the rules about dogs on beaches in Torquay and kneejerk changes would do more harm than good.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor all the negative letters you see and people trying to change things, we think the dog rules are fine, there\u2019s no problem at all.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey save lives, these dogs.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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\u2019s Beach to reach The Salty Dog Caf\u00e9 by 9am before the restrictions begin, says the existing […]<\/p>\n