We got together over some biscuits and water and discussed the pros and cons of the ban. Here are our findings.

Being environmentally sensitive, EcoDog and EcoCat's first concerns were the presence of stool on the beach. They both recognize how distasteful and inconsiderate it is for stool to be left where humans can either see it or, worse yet, step in it. Reason number one for pets to be banned from the beach.

Further, that same stool will eventually wash into the Sound, causing pollution which can be measured by the coliform bacteria it carries. Even though it might be a small amount, "every litter bit hurts", says EcoCat.

EcoDog says he has even seen humans' stool on the beach, apparently from humans too lazy to walk their children up to the comfort stations provided by county government.

He found it disgusting.

Even if humans pick up pet stool and deposit it into trash barrels, EcoCat points out that rain will wash through the bottom of the can, continuing to contaminate the Sound. The only answer would be carrying the stool home, or to a comfort station to flush it. Most people are unwilling to do that.

Their next concern was for the safety of pets. EcoDog and EcoCat take turns staying with different veterinarians on the Coast. Both of them report being deeply saddened when a friend or colleague comes into a veterinary clinic after having been wounded by a car on Highway 90.

And a leash is not always the whole answer, since leashes and collars break, allowing escapes. Some irresponsible owners don't leash their pets, which exposes them to possible injury, and allows them to bother people who are reading or sunbathing.

Hundreds of injuries occur every year. Given the average speed of cars on the Beach of 50 mph, most of those encounters are fatal. The remaining ones are always critical injuries. Few pets get a second chance in Highway 90.

Other forms of injury occur there, too. Illnesses from dogs eating dead fish, wounds from dead catfish spines entering jaw muscles, skin infections from dirty water, dog fights with sand imbedded in the wounds...EcoDog takes a deep breath and continues his list.

There are enough good, clean, safe places to play without Gulf Coast dogs going in harm's way on the beach.

EcoDog and EcoCat say, "Support the Ban".