SIR — I read with great concern the call to open up much of the beach all year to dogs (Free Press September 19). We enjoy the beach being a dog-free zone, allowing the children the freedom to run about and us to relax without the possibility of a dog running up to them or them falling into dog's mess. We walk to school and encounter several piles of dog's mess including a nice pile on our own drive, and I walk across the field to the children's centre in Alcombe and have pushchair wheels to scrub. I took the children to Dunster beach last week and had two seperate occasions of dogs running at us, one of which resulted in our picnic being trodden on and tea cups licked with no reaction from the owner. A dog was pooing in the high street outside W H Smiths and when I pointed it out to the owner who was chatting he actually tutted at me. I don't actively hate dogs and I do witness responsible owners who tidy up and put the dog on the lead when approaching our young family, or at least keep the dog by their side. I do not like dogs running at us, jumping at us and I do not think owners should allow this. I understand many do not but many do. However lovely a dog may be, it is still an animal and has the potential to attack, so I do not find having some dog-free zones a crime. Stating that many owners cannot clamber over the rocks with their dog is ridiculous, as is stating that many visitors see Minehead as not being dog friendly puts them off. Visitor numbers will only rise when Minehead improves in terms of good quality eateries, quaint shops and variety which is currently lacking, not allowing dogs on the beach. Dogs on the beach may put people off, not encourage them, and not everybody sits outside Butlin's for the record. Maybe a campaign for clean streets for the residents could be a good starting point instead. Leane Newman, The Ball, Minehead * Other letters on this topic in the Free Press.