Ban on dogs outrages Woodend campers

A ban on dogs and a new fee at the Woodend Beach Holiday Park has upset several regular campers.

The new management has sent a newsletter to campers saying dogs will be banned from November 23. From tomorrow a $700 fee will apply for people who leave their caravans on-site year round.

In return, regular users would get 15 nights free for two adults.

Those who do not use the sites over the Christmas break or long weekends will have their caravans stored for $10 a week.

Pippa and Graeme Tait of Woodend, who have camped at the park for the past four years, said to ban dogs and increase the fees just eight weeks before Christmas was a "disgrace".

Their two poodles were their family, and if they had to leave them behind it would ruin their Christmas holiday.

They have opted to sell their two caravans.

Pippa Tait said kennels were already fully booked for Christmas, so they had taken their South Shore bach off the market and would use it as their "bolt-hole" instead.

"Camping is magic, but our dogs are the most important thing in our lives and we do not want to holiday without them," she said.

She said dog owners were being discriminated against because people who lived at the park all year round were allowed to keep their dogs. Other campers upset at the ban and the new fee did not want to comment yesterday.

Proprietors Jan Reid and Wendy Campbell, surprised by the backlash, said the ban on dogs was aimed at making the park safe and family-friendly. Ask any dog owner, and tell them that their dogs isn't family friendly !!

When they took over at Labour weekend there were nearly more dogs than people. What does THAT tell you? perhpas there is a need for camping with one's dogs.

"There are lots and lots of children here. This is a family camping ground and we are responsible for any consequence that may occur regarding dogs," they said. Oh come on!! Educate instead of prohibitate (if that's a word, but sounds like a good rhyme)

They had allowed long-term campers to keep their dogs, provided they were not classified as dangerous and were not replaced when they were sold or died. Pretty sad indictment of society ..