The Isle of Wight Council will look at possibly easing of restrictions for dogs on beaches before next summer.
With the Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) approved by the council’s cabinet last week, replacing the dog and alcohol control orders which are no longer enforceable, dogs are not allowed on certain beaches on the Isle of Wight between 1st May and 30th September to avoid the sometimes crowded areas.
During the consultation on the PSPOs, Cllr Gary Peace, cabinet member for community safety, said a lot of people had asked whether the restrictions in the summer could be eased. He said:
“I am sympathetic to this and I know other places have opened beaches to dogs throughout the year, so I am quite relaxed about also looking at possibly loosening on the restrictions.”
Other councillors were also among the list of people questioning the stricter restrictions.
Cllr Peace said:
“I want to make a commitment, here and now, that we seek views from the town and parish councils, for example, whether we can do something differently, allowing dogs on beaches for an extended period of time throughout the year.”
He suggested a consultation period with the interested parties could start now to ‘be in a fit and proper place come summertime’.
New restrictions coming in with the PSPOs include dogs on leads in cemeteries and on certain rights of way, with no access for dogs in fenced play areas.
Alcohol orders have also now been approved for areas of Shanklin, and extended areas of Ryde, which means alcohol cannot be consumed in public in those areas if you are asked not to by a police officer if there has been any anti-social behaviour.
I can imagine alot of dog shit hidden in the sand and alot more attacks especially on small children. Humans cant social distance and dogs rely on the owners so far this year it’s been mayhem with owners being irresponsible. Just leave it as it was, with dog beaches that people are aware of.
My concern is even IF, and a deliberately big ‘IF’, people pick up, after their dogs, often, the sticky, germ filled ‘residue’ is left, then invisible to toddlers and tots, who seeing nothing, then touch the soiled, germ filled area and risky awful illness if ingesting your dogs bowel contents.
Many dogs now are fed such processed food, that their ‘matter’ is often more liquid than solid, making effective picking up impossible, especially on grassed play areas.
Also the elderly dog owners can’t always bend over to pick up what their pets leave behind.
I love dogs, I love my children, but would not wish to smear their bowel content onto others hands, clothes or beach ware.
Keep them OFF beaches until Winter.
What possible reason, apart from dog owners self interests, is there for reducing the restrictions? They are there for a reason. Oh hang on, if they reduce or remove the restrictions that means they don’t have to be policed/enforced. IWC looking for ways to dodge its responsibilities AGAIN.
I was thinking that too. As a dog owner with a dog who loves to swim I have never had an issue with the restrictions. It’s nice to know which areas are ok for my dog and which are not. It would be better to keep the restrictions and police them so that people who do not care get caught and don’t give reasonable dog owners a bad name.
Being a dog owner that walks our dog on the beach a lot, I dont have any problem with the restrictions as they stand there are plenty of beach’s where dogs can go in the summer. (If it aint broke dont fix it) my only criticism is there should be more signs and in more prominent positions. And more bins which are emptied more often. Its entirely reasonable for people especially with children to be able to go to a beach where they are not worried about dog mess and dogs charging about frightening young children especially if they have food with them. Its just a matter of being considerate to others that dont have the same priorities as you.
Great idea, as a dog owner we only have a limited amount of beaches to walk on. However they are always the places with large rocks & usually blue slipper. Not all dogs are nimble nor the walkers with them.
Why can’t there be a few more beaches we can use? OK people say kids, I’ve got 4 grandkids & I wouldn’t let 1 of them pick up muck because you watch a child on the beach like a hawk. There are a lot of things under sand that could do more damage ie: broken glass, old cans so to say worried child picking up, I say watch your child more!
I’m sure if a dog did poop on a busy beach the people around would say something to owner, I would definitely.
Also another thing to remember is that when its really hot people shouldn’t be taking dogs out anyway because they can get paw burn on hit sand & pavements.
So why can’t they just be off the beaches say, July & August when kids off school.
We are supposed to be a dog friendly Island!
Well said! Dogs are an important member of the family.
My daughter absolutely petrified of the dogs, and a lot of people letting dogs run around ! Absolutely against!