A 24-hour summer time dog ban on Port Erin beach is being proposed by the local authority.

Confirmation came at a Port Erin Commissioners meeting on Tuesday after the issue was raised in an anonymous leaflet circulated around the village.

The village commissioners’ chairman Nick Watterson said the proposed ban is with the Department of Infrastructure.

Normally such issues are discussed in private, but as the leaflet had been distributed alerting dog owners to the proposal - and six members of the public were at the meeting to show their opposition -he confirmed the situation.

Dogs are currently banned from the beach in Port Erin from 10am to 7pm from May to September. The proposal would ban them for 24 hours during those months.

The leaflet outlines the benefits of maintaining the status quo.

’If you ever go to the beach at about 6am you will see that every single day the dog walkers pick up large amounts of bottles, plastic etc and put them in the bins,’ it said.

’No-one dislikes the tiny minority of irresponsible dog walkers who do not pick up after their animals more than responsible dog owners. Many dog walkers make it their business to pick up after other dogs if there is a need. Let’s impose big fines for irresponsible dog owners who do not pick up.’

It adds the ban would deter visitors and locals who come to Port Erin to walk their dogs and then use local shops.

The leaflet provoked several letters and emails, some supporting a ban clerk Jason Roberts said.

Mr Watterson said the proposal was ’not set in stone’. After consideration by government, there would be public consultation. At that stage letters and emails will be considered. Then the authority will ratify the ban, or not.