Consultation launched on beach dog bans in Cornwall
The council is asking for people's views on Public Space Protection Orders
Last updated 6th Sep 2022
Residents are being asked to have their say on beach dog bans in Cornwall through a council consultation.
Every three years the council consults on Public Space Protection Order (PSPO), which are in place to balance the needs of dog owners and others who enjoy the 43 beaches subject to seasonal restrictions on dogs. There are also hundreds of beaches in Cornwall that do not have any restrictions on dogs.
The current PSPO, which runs until April 2023, was put in place after extensive consultation in 2019.
The consultation on how PSPOs should look from April 2023 launched on Monday September 5th and will run for 12 weeks.
You can have your say by visiting the Let's Talk Cornwall website.
Martyn Alvey, Cornwall Council's portfolio holder for environment and climate change said: "I know this can be an emotive subject with strong feelings on all sides. Of course, there are many responsible dog owners out there, including those who don't want to take their dog onto a beach during the heat of the day with little shade and hot sand underfoot.
"There are those who point out that responsible dog owners clear up after their pet and always keep it under control, but others will argue that they want to be able to enjoy the beach with their family and not have to worry about a wet and sandy dog bounding over trying to eat their picnic!
"When we last consulted on this subject, we had a huge response with the consensus that the regulations needed to be both simpler to understand and standardised across Cornwall. That is what we have in place now and the feedback we receive is that the current level of restrictions work well for most beach users.
"If we keep things the same, it means that during the summer months, people will be able to go down for a beach walk in the early morning and the evening with their dogs. And people who prefer a beach to be dog free will also be clear about the months and times of day they can expect this.
“There are of course hundreds of beaches in Cornwall that don’t have any seasonal restrictions on dogs.
"I hope that with common sense and mutual respect we can allow everyone to accept differing viewpoints, and all enjoy the beaches".
What are the current rules?
Currently dogs are not allowed on specific beaches, between 10am and 6pm from 1st July to 31st August.
On beaches that hold Blue Flag or Seaside Award status, these restrictions are in place for longer, starting on 15th May and ending on 30th September.
Three beaches do not allow dogs at all because they are protected wildlife areas.
Some privately owned beaches have their own restrictions in place.
The full list of current Cornwall Council PSPO restrictions relating to dogs on beaches can be found on the council's website.
What happens if you breach a beach dog ban?
People disregarding the PSPO are given advice to leave the restricted area with their dogs, however if they don't follow this advice, £100 Fixed Penalty Notices are issued.
Patrols are undertaken by a mix of Dog Welfare Enforcement officers, Town and Parish Council officers and Civil Enforcement Officers.
What happens next?
Once the results of the latest consultation have been analysed, a report will be taken to the Neighbourhoods Overview and Scrutiny Committee to recommend the next steps to the portfolio holder.