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Bristol Post
Bristol Post
World
Laura Clements & Katie Bellis & Conor Gogarty

Campsite comes under fire after banning these six dog breeds

A campsite which does not allow certain dog breeds to stay there has hit back at complaints about the policy.

Skysea Caravan and Camping Site in Port Eynon, Wales, has banned six breeds banned - pit bull terriers, Staffordshire terriers, Rottweilers, Dobermann Pinschers, huskies and bull/English mastiffs.

The move sparked a massive backlash on social media over the weekend, WalesOnline reports.

Some people suggested the rules were a reaction to the death of a nine-year-old boy at a Cornwall campsite, after he was attacked by a suspected bulldog-type breed.

It is believed Frankie Macritchie, from Plymouth, had been left alone with the animal in a caravan at Tencreek Holiday Park in Looe on Saturday, April 13.

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But the site in Gower confirmed its rules had been in place for over a year due to incidents that had taken place involving certain dog breeds at the campsite.

A spokesman for Skysea Caravan and Camping Site said: "The ban was put in place because we had three incidents in the last two years involving certain dog breeds - two of those involving incidents with another dog and one incident involving a young person.

"We are not judging dog breeds, it's not a personal attack, we understand that any breed of dog can bite. However, the effects of these particular breeds of dogs if they bite can be catastrophic. We don't restrict any dog breeds from walking through and using the footpath by our site.

"We have had positive feedback from this decision, all of the terms and conditions are fully explained on our website before you book online."

But the decision to ban certain dogs from staying at the site has been met with strong criticism by dog owners, who have accused them of double standards.

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Paul Watson, from Durham, said he had been thinking of staying at the campsite, but wouldn't be going there now.

Mr Watson currently owns a Labradoodle, but has had Staffies in the past, who were "the most loyal and loving dogs you could meet" he said. 

He said the Skysea Caravan Park rules were "ridiculous" and it should be either dogs, or no dogs at all.

"This has got nothing to do with dogs but a status symbol, this is an absolute shambles of a rule," he said. 

"What happens if a Labrador attacks somebody? No-one will bat an eyelid. But if a Staffie attacks, the press and all hell breaks loose. Seriously, it is an absolute joke."

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Stuart Walton, from Tamworth in the West Midlands, has a campervan and travels to various campsites in the UK and France with his 14-year-old Staffie and four-year-old French bulldog.

Last year, he travelled to Tenby but is planning a trip to the Gower this summer. He has struck Skysea Caravan Site off his list.

"We have travelled to Wales a few times over the last few years," he said.

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"Last year we stayed in Tenby. We were looking to stay on the Gower this June and looked at the Skysea Campsite but noticed the dog discrimination.

"I have been travelling with my French bulldog and Staffie in our Campervan for years and have never experienced this anywhere in the UK before."

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