Owners have responsibility for keeping dogs under control

At the beginning of September we reported how a cyclist was injured when she was knocked off her bicycle at Galley Hill by a dog which launched itself at her.

Fortunately this lady was not bitten, but the second victim, attacked by a dog off its lead along Bexhill seafront, was not so lucky.

And we hear the local postmen have been trying to get the Dangerous Dogs Act tightened up for some time thanks to the perils of delivering letters to houses with unruly canines increasing.

Dogs, especially breeds such as Staffordshire bull terriers which were originally bred for fighting, need plenty of exercise, judicious feeding - and a firm hand.

Many responsible owners of the "blacklisted" breeds would rightly argue their dog is happy, well-adjusted and no menace to anybody whatsoever.

It is those owners who are unwilling or unable to keep their pet under control who are at fault.

A pageant of warmth and spirit

CONGRATULATIONS to all those local heroes who picked up a Bexhill Achievers Award at the De La Warr Pavilion on Friday.

The entire evening, compered by Observer editor-in-chief Keith Ridley and Southern Water's Beverley Thompson, was a pageant of warmth and spirit which honoured those who help make Bexhill such a unique place.

Many of the award winners and highly commendeds' efforts in the community are largely unsung - and we are certain there are many other such special people in the community who went un-nominated.

There's always next year - though it seems a long way off, time soon flies and the process will begin anew.