The Isle of Wight Council has warned that dog owners could face financial penalties of up to £1,000 for breaching dog exclusion zones at selected Island beaches.
Amid a growing number of complaints about inconsiderate owners, the Council is stepping up patrols in hotspot areas as well as continuing to undertake random patrols on beaches.
Residents and visitors are being reminded that between 1st May and 30th September, some beaches are off limits or restricted to our 4-legged friends.
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A £100 fixed penalty or a fine of up to £1,000 if prosecuted in court, are the consequences of breaching the order.
Lee Matthews, strategic manager for recreation and public open spaces, said:
“We appreciate most dog owners abide by the regulations set to keep our beaches clean over the busy summer period; however, there is a small minority of people that choose to ignore the signs and continue to use exclusion zones.”
A full list of the beaches and other areas where restrictions are in place can be found on the council’s website.
The good news is that there are still plenty of beaches that welcome dogs all year round. A list of these is available on the Visit Isle of Wight website along with other great ideas on exploring the Island with your pooch.
Councillor Jonathan Bacon, Cabinet member for environment, has said:
“Our public space protection orders are there to ensure everyone — visitors and residents alike — can enjoy our beaches.
“It means owners must clear up after their dogs — you can use any public bin and not just dog-specific bins — and keep your dog under control and abide by the restrictions that are in place. The orders are also in place to preserve wildlife areas in our beautiful Island biosphere.
“Most dog owners are responsible people, but we all know of, or have seen, some owners who don’t control their dogs and have no respect for others. The orders make sure we have the powers to deal with the few who don’t act responsibly.”
The large number of dog owners who use Ryde and Puckpool beach as a dog toilet is beyond disgusting, these scum are fully aware adults and children will be on the beaches during the day and they know what they are doing is wrong which is why they sneak down early in the mornngs and late in the evenings, the fines should be much higher and if prosecuted they should be banned from owning animals as they obviously cannot look after them responsibly.
You are wrong. Scum do not get up early in the morning.
Has anyone ever been fined on the Island and are there any dog wardens or beach inspectors to enforce rules?
Good, about time to.
Too many dappy posh women allowing uncontrolled dogs leap all over you, your picnic, your clothes and towels and your small children, saying “He just wants to say hello”, as their excuse that their pet has no respect for their calling it back with no authority in their voice.
And tattooed low lives who think some uncontrolled dog, as angry and spiteful as they are, has a right to poo where it wants, to be running free, and attacking other dogs.
Only a few beaches should be allowed for dogs, and then only when the tide is out so the poo is washed away, not covered by a sly kick over of sand.
Tattooed low lives, really so if you have a tattoo you are a low life… you need to learn about diversity and inclusion and not judging someone by how they look … Twat
And how many fines have been issued in, say, the last ten years? My guess would be zero. No enforcement = no compliance with the rules.
None whatsoever. Fact.
Yes there have been several in Shanklin beach, around 8am.
Must admit I didn’t realise that Appley Beach was a half and half zone until looking at the map.
I must be walking around with my eyes shut, not sure how holidaymakers get on.
One thing I’ve certainly never seen, however, is a patrol. More likely to see a dodo.
According to a FOI request response I have seen, IWC have never issued a fine for this – ever. And despite similar warnings issued just like the one above, I doubt they ever will.
How about tackling this problem island wide, and not just beaches?
If it was Dubai dog owners might take the council seriously. But it’s the Isle of ‘don’t tell me what I can do’ Wight. Are beach enforcement officers easy to spot, I’ve never seen one?
Useless council, its enforcement record is pitiful. Other countries would be appalled at the lax attitude taken towards beach experience and cleanliness for tourists.
Well a very noble idea on paper, between office hours, sat at a cozy desk perhaps. But in reality this is not going to be happening. Certainly not between Shanklin and Yaverland in the mornings where there are many dogs on the beaches. In fairness some owners don’t bother getting to the actual beaches and you can see dog poop smeared all over the pavements/revetments. Have seen hundreds of dogs, but ZERO enforcement officers.
Well a very noble idea on paper, between office hours, sat at a cozy desk perhaps. But in reality this is not going to be happening. Certainly not between Shanklin and Yaverland in the mornings where there are many dogs on the beaches. In fact some owners don’t bother getting to the actual beaches and you can see dog poop smeared all over the pavements/revetments. Have seen hundreds of dogs, but ZERO enforcement officers.
I would like to see total ban of dogs from public beaches, salt water is not good for dogs, no shade / no fresh water. Just selfish dog owners, what about people that are afraid/ or allergic to/of dogs… are they not allowed the freedom to go to the beach ? What annoys me most, if one mentions about the dog rules, instantly the owner gets aggressive, swears at you very loudly.. There are far too many dogs on this Island… just go around and look at all the poo bags left about.. or try going for early morning beach walk. Same as why do they take a dog shopping ? Or to a pub ? Dog is not going buy anything. What about the customers rights?
How do you feel about horses crapping on the beach?
Take it home in a bag, great for your Rose’s! And it’s free.
Words of truth indeed.
Your laughable
I take my dogs to the beach. I AM a responsible owner, on or off the beach. At least my dogs don’t leave their rubbish behind – beer bottles, bags, dirty nappies – if I had the choice I would prefer dogs to use the beaches than people/children let’s face it dog owners or not, unfortunately there are a lot of totally irresponsible, inconsiderate people out there.
This will never happen…. seems dog owners rule… ignorant selfish owners, no thoughts for other people.
I don’t take my dogs on the beach in summer, to many health risks for them. i.e. discarded plastic bottles, beer cans, discarded smouldering bbq’s, dirty disposable nappies, and worst of all human excrement….
In the old days no one cleared up after their dogs, and there were no complaints, or people becoming ill from dog poo. Possibly we all led more contented lives back then.
Most dog owners I know clean up after their dogs and talking of clean beaches then they should also fine litter droppers as you only have to look at any island beach to see discarded barbecues and as the previous post said also nappies.
“Possibly we all led more contented lives back then.”
My 1980s trainers and football boots would disagree with you. Playing fields were riddled.
How dogshit and contentment go together I’ve no idea.
i all ways take my dog on that beach the island is a dump any way
Picking up dog mess from sand is fairly easy, but when they go on grass it is far worse.
For the more loose it is, it sticks to the blades of grass, and once picked up germ ridden smears are there, ONLY visible by flies gathering on it, and a child could easily play or picnic on such without knowing and end up very ill or with worms, and can even be blinded by dog excreta.
There was a lady who was a dog warden, used to photograph dogs in action ( hate to see the album) but was powerless, all she could do was hand out dog bags, thugs just ignored her, so I believe she is now gone for good.
All hot air, a small minority made all dog owners look bad.
You should note that the restrictions only apply to the beach area, not the foreshore (the part under water at full tide). That is owned by the queen and the council can not apply restrictions. If you look on the website it clearly shows only the beach. But the signs at the beach imply not allowed on any part.
At low tied, if you are walking on the foreshore, you are not breaking the rules. Me, personally, stay away from all of it just using the dog beach. And yes, I do pick it up.
Have the Council employed dog wardens all of a sudden? Who is going to enforce this?
This makes me Laugh as I have contacted the council about a dog with no Caller Roaming the streets By us deflating in people’s gardens and on the public footpath and i was told to call the police who weren’t interested .
Never seen dog deflate.. must be terrible…
Mr Bacon talks the talk but does not carry it out. I have asked him how many fines have been issued in the last 12 months for dog related incidents I am still waiting for an answer in spite of reminding him several times. I also asked him about the patrolling by wardens at St Helens beach area no surprise I am still waiting. I have sent him photographic evidence and he does nothing but make these statements to make it look like he is doing something, believe me he does nothing.All he says to me is it costs money and we cannot afford it, the dog wardens if they actually exist need to get our and about and do the job they are paid for.
Why do people always expect someone else to do things for them? Have the courage to tell/warn people “you are on the wrong beach”, or hand them a poo bag and make them pick up. I have often done both and have not had a black eye yet.
Dear Anna, I do not expect anyone to do things for me especially our councillor for the environment Mr Bacon who from much experience of communicating with him talks the talk but does not walk the walk. It is his job for which he gets paid to provide the information that I have requested from him, he has not done that, he puts out things in the press and social media but actually does not take any action. Are you suggesting that I carry dog poo bags around with me to give our to irresponsible dog owners when I do not own a dog? I do point out to dog owners when I see their dog has done a poo and they do not pick it up usually what you get is abuse, like last night when one was pooing at the end of my drive the dog was on a lead with the owner watching all I got was abuse and a finger as he walked away. Nice dog owner. While the IOW council do nothing about enforcement.
No one goes on the beaches they are all polluted with peoples faeces.