While many beachgoers love seeing dogs frolicking along the shoreline, others believe they can cause more chaos than charm. We asked our readers to share whether pets add to or detract from their beach day bliss.

Here’s what you had to say:

Jamie-Lee Riekert – The pets are great to have at the beach, The entitled owners who don’t pick up and let their dogs run up to leashed dogs are not great to have.

Lyn Donaldson Steyn – It adds to the beach experience! Even when owners have been neglectful, still a darn sight better than the rubbish and plastic left by humans.

Reghard Roets – Dogs add of course! Even if they have a poo and the human doesn’t pick up like they should its biodegradable and gone by the next high tide in a day or two. The papers, cigarette buts and plastic humans discard are around for years. Give me 100 dogs on the beach instead of 100 humans any day. They are happy as well and can enjoy the experience without being stuck to a cellphone!

Wendy Risi – As long as the dog has been trained, and you pick up the dog poo, they add to the experience. I live in the Western Cape and our dog goes with when we clean the beach, he knows he will have a long walk after we have cleaned.

Jacqui Cretney – Dogs should be allowed on the beach 100% and judging by some of the negative comments on here these people who disagree should stay at home.

Anneline Lucas – I enjoy watching dogs having a blast on the beach.

Linda Pellew – It makes it a sociable experience. Everyone smiles and chats with the doggies.

Lise Hayes – Definitely makes for a happier experience – just seeing them bouncing, running, swimming and making people happy!

Des-Marié Victor – It is both therapeutic for the dogs and owners going for the beach walks. There is minimal invasion to anyone else, and it is always a happy sight seeing the dogs playing happily.

Theresa Fisher – Detracts. They should be on a leash and disciplined, then it will be ok. They end up running around and knocking us older people over.

Michele van der Merwe – 100% adds to the experience! People hate leaving their dogs behind and they have the best time on the beach. They’re the cause of much fun and laughter!

Christiane Johannsen – Definitely adds to the happy experience.

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