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The decision prevents owners from walking their pooches by the sea at certain times throughout the summer. Those who ignore the ban face a fine of £75 and possibly further prosecution. The restrictions are currently in place across UK counties – starting as early as March in some areas and last until September 30. Many pet owners believe the timings of the restrictions are “just madness”. Dawn Ewing, 45, lives in the beautiful town of St Ives, Cornwall, visited by tourists throughout the summer for its good weather and golden beaches. She claims the ban has left most beaches empty between 7pm-9am as well as having a “detrimental impact on tourism” throughout the day.

Ms Ewing has been documenting the beaches being left unusued

The beaches weren’t being used, the restrictions made no sense. Dawn Ewing, Cornwall resident

Ms Ewing has started to document everything by creating a Facebook page “Doggone Shame - St Ives Empty Beaches” to host her images. She told Express.co.uk: “I started the Facebook page out of sheer frustration having to walk my dog past empty beaches every day. “Easter came early this year so the ban be an late March but the beaches weren’t being used, the restrictions made no sense. “The aim was really to have a record of how little they are actually used out of high season when the dog ban is on - beautiful beaches left unused. “They are busier in the middle of winter on a rainy day because dog owners can actually use them - it’s just madness."

Dog owners face £75 fine if they walk pets on the beach from TODAYhttps://t.co/Y4G3TjktcL



Should #dogs be allowed on UK beaches throughout summer? — Daily Express (@Daily_Express) May 1, 2018

Ms Ewing, a full-time mum, believes the times of the ban should be changed to cater for everyone – not only dog walkers. There are currently only two beaches in the St Ives area that do not fall under dog walking restrictions, yet she believes they are too inaccessible for buggies and less-abled walkers. She added: “I fully support the ban in high season and school holidays if necessary, as would most responsible dog owners but the beaches are there to be used, not left empty, reserved for nobody, somebody should be enjoying the beaches. “The ban also creates problems in children’s play parks which become overrun with dogs when restrictions are in place and yet children are part of the community the dog ban supposedly protects. “Many families within the community own dogs and need a suitable outside space to share with them. “Elderly residents who cannot travel easily and live in town should be able to walk to their local beaches with their dogs.”

She has captured shots of usually busy Porthmeor and Porthminster completely vacant

Many have supported Ms Ewing in her campaign to raise awareness over the impact the ban is having on the local area. One Facebook user said: "Well done. The evidence you are gathering shows how ridiculous this blanket ban is. No one wants full access just a sensible common sense solution that doesn't discriminate against one section of the community in favour of another." Another said: “So locals pay rates all year. Support the local economy all year. But in high season, they cant walk their own dogs on their own beaches...Why not take it a step further and and ban all locals from the most popular pubs…” Ms Ewing says the current restrictions are up for review next year and she hopes suitable changes are made to the scheduling. However, she believes these problems stretch further than just Cornwall.

Beaches are being left empty throughout the day with dog walkers restricted from using them