Paws for thought!

A regular user of the Byes has called for dog owners to be more responsible after experiencing two pets snaffle food from her picnic and defecate near her eating spot.

The woman, who did not want to be named, also claims several loose dogs have almost been hit by cyclists after running freely into cycle lanes.

“The cycle path is put there for people to exercise on their bikes,” she said. “So, if they want to go fast I think they are entitled to.

“My friend was not on a racing bike and was casually cycling along when dogs raced up behind her and she almost ran over one.

“She got a right earful off of the owner for doing absolutely nothing wrong.”

Her appeal has attracted both support and criticism from fellow Byes users.

Sidmouth resident Linda Morling owns two dogs but agreed with the call, adding that cyclists are not ‘entirely blameless’.

She said: “Many [cyclists] travel far too fast on the cycle path and can come upon you very quickly.

“Use of the bell and cycling with care and courtesy could prevent an accident involving a dog or child.”

However, Sam Mills offered a different take, saying dogs have ‘as much rights’ in the Byes as cyclists.

She added: “The cycle path is there, but try telling a dog or a toddler they aren’t allowed to walk past the line.”

She also raised concerns over the speed of cyclists in a ‘family park with children running freely’.

Lisa Dawn proffered that there should be places where dogs are not allowed, so ‘anti-dog people’ can avoid them.

She added: “There are a lot of elderly people where their dog is their only companion and childless couples who love their dogs like you would your children.”