We are now making regular trips to the South Hams after a gap of some 15 years. The area is just as beautiful, despite an increase in car numbers and a proliferation of coffee shops.

However, one change really irks me. In the intervening years, there has been a huge increase in badly behaved dogs – or more correctly irresponsible dog owners.

Having a dog seems to give their owners a licence to misbehave. I’m sure this isn’t exclusive to this area - just more noticeable given its Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty status.

These changes are most noticeable:

* Dogs running free – owners seem to believe “Keep your dog on a lead” signs don’t apply to them. I was on a narrow footpath at Bolberry where the rule applies and I opened a gate for a dog owner. The untethered dog ran at me snarling and the owner told me it was trained to protect her, so I needed to move away. Not acceptable behav­iour on her part and I have seen her since then, so she is not a visitor. I have also lost count of the number of times a dog has leapt up at me and the owner shouts “he’s only being friendly”.

* Dogs in bars and restaurants. This now seems to be the norm. I’m of the firm belief that dogs and food don’t mix and I now actively avoid places that welcome dogs.

* Multiple dogs. We used to find one family-one dog. Now it seems the children are matched by the same number of dogs.

* Dogs on beaches. I can’t understand why anyone would want to take a dog to sit for hours on a beach. A walk is fine but I don’t like to see a dog looking uncomfortable in the heat. Sadly many owners let their dogs run free, troubling playing children and barking – which owners seem to find cute.

* Dog poo. I could rant for hours but I’m sure your readers will agree this is a big problem. My pet hate is the owner who thinks he is being responsible by bagging the poo then throwing the bag into bushes.

Why have I taken to writing on this topic? Well today at South Milton we experienced one event that typified the above.

A family were entering the beach with two children and two dogs; the dogs were running free.

Mum announced there had been an accident and pointed to an impressive pile of poo, sitting on the boardwalk; dad was laden down with wetsuits and body boards and shouted for her to cover it with sand.

Fortunately he was met with a hail of “no you don’t". But as I walked back five minutes later the poo had been pushed into the grass.

The National Trust does its best and its advice is to report evidence of irresponsible dog owners.

I’m not sure how you do that and, in the belief “dog rage” exists, I certainly would not photograph irresponsible owners or tackle them on fouling.

Please dog owners,read and obey the signs and consider others when you take your dogs out.

Most people love dogs but they are a reflection of their owners and your spoilt dog says a lot about you.

Ian Searle

Bransgore, Christchurch