MY family and I enjoy spending time at Hive Beach, but we are completely mystified and saddened by dog owners who insist on dragging, pushing, or sometimes even throwing, reluctant dogs into the sea.

Some dogs love the water, others hate it.

Quite apart from the fact that dogs should not be on the beach between June and October, other than offering a display of curious behaviour on the part of its owner, what on earth is being achieved by forcing an animal that dislikes water to do something that clearly causes it such unnecessary distress?

PAUL CHEATER Litton Cheney