DOG BEACH BANS COMES INTO FORCE ACROSS THE UK
Source: BBC (Extract)
Posted: May 4, 2023
As the UK weather warms, many of us may head to the coast with our pets coming along for the trip.
But this summer, dog owners could be fined for taking their pooches to certain beaches.
It’s because of rules which have come into force banning dogs from going to certain beaches across the UK. The rules are annual – they come into effect every year.
What are the rules about dogs on beaches?
The majority of beaches across the country allow people to walk their dogs from 1 October to 30 April every year.
However, many local councils have introduced restrictions which will remain in place from May through to September.
The bans are enforced under a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO), with complete bans introduced in some places and partial bans in others.
A partial ban could include things like dog owners having to keep their pets on leads, or only walking them on promenades rather than the actual beach.
Council officers can issue fines to individuals who don’t comply with the order.
Why are dogs banned on certain beaches?
The aim of the restrictions is to keep beaches clean and safe during the busier summer period, particularly when lots of children are visiting the coast.
Although many people clean up after their dogs, poo left behind on beaches by others can be a major health hazard, especially during times where more people are visiting beaches.
The rules around dogs visiting beaches don’t apply to guide dogs.
Which beaches are affected by the dog ban?
Some of the beaches affected by the new restrictions are in areas including:
England:
Yorkshire
Sunderland
Tyneside
Redcar and Cleveland
Devon
Cornwall
Bournemouth
Dorset
Somerset
Isle of Wight
Kent
Sussex
Wales:
Anglesey
Bridgend
Carmarthenshire
Conwy
Ceredigion
Denbighshire
Gwynedd
Pembrokeshire
Scotland:
Highlands
East Lothian
Scottish Borders
Inverclyde
Tayside
Nairn
Which beaches will allow dogs this summer?
Despite the bans that have come into force, there are also lots of beaches around the UK which welcome dogs all year round.
Some of the UK’s dog friendly beaches are in locations including:
England:
Cornwall
County Durham
Cumbria
Devon
Dorset
East Sussex
Essex
Hampshire
Isle of Wight
Kent
Norfolk
Somerset
West Sussex
Yorkshire
Wales:
Anglesey
Carmarthenshire
Ceredigion
Clwyd
Vale of Glamorgan
Gwynedd
Pembrokeshire
Scotland:
Dumfries and Galloway
Fife
Grampian
Hebrides
Highland
Lothian
Scottish Borders
Shetland Islands
Strathclyde
Tayside
Northern Ireland:
County Antrim
County Down
County Londonderry
