A CONCERNED dad who claims Friar’s Cliff beach has become “a dog toilet” has called on Christchurch council to consider extending dog restrictions.

Gary Wayne, 54, who has a beach hut at Friar’s Cliff, said the stretch between Avon Beach and Friar’s Cliff has been plagued with dog mess since the summer dog restrictions ended.

He said that in recent weeks, a dog has urinated on the leg of his 10-year-old son Ben, another dog has urinated on his groundsheet and his bike has been left covered in dog mess following a ride along the promenade.

“I am a dog lover and I have absolutely no issues with dogs being allowed to have free run of the beach in areas that don’t get a lot of visitors during the winter,” he said.

“But the area between Avon Beach and Friar’s Cliff is popular with families all year round and I just think it is worth considering extending the summer restrictions so dogs have to be kept on a lead in that part.

“There is so much mess on the beach and prom at the moment and I don’t think it’s the dog owners fault.

“If they see their dog going to the toilet they will nearly always clean up after them but if they are off the lead they run off and you can’t even see what they are doing.

“It just seems like Friar’s Cliff has become a dog toilet.”

Steve Duckett, Head of Health and Housing at Christchurch Council, said: “We consulted on a range of options regarding dog control orders.

“The controls which are now in place reflect the concerns of the local community.

“New legislation will be coming out soon so all dog control orders will reviewed in the future and we will consult again and take on board the wishes of our residents.”