OWNERS who flout the rules and allow their dogs to roam on dog-free beaches could get a £60 fixed penalty notice
And owners who don’t clean up dog mess after their pet could also get a £70 fixed penalty notice (FPN).
That’s the warning being issued ahead of a crackdown on owners who walk their dogs on beaches in Swansea where they’re banned in the summer months.
Mark Thomas, Cabinet Member for Environment and Transportation said: “We want everyone who lives in or visits Swansea to enjoy our wonderful beaches.
“Some families are not keen on having dogs near them at the beach and that is why we have created dog-free beaches in the summer months so the public can decide what suits them.”
Cllr Thomas said: “There are many signs at beach access points and car parks to alert dog owners at the affected beaches. From this week we’ll be launching a crackdown on those owners who do the wrong thing and spoil our beaches for everyone by allowing their dogs to roam on the beach or leave mess behind.”
“There are still plenty of beaches where dogs can run free and owners who use those beaches and pick up dog mess after their pets can be confident they won’t face a fixed penalty notice.”
The first week of enhanced patrols by litter enforcement officers and the council’s animal warden service will be handing out warnings as well as information to dog owners they see taking their pets out on dog-free beaches.
After the first week any owner who allows their dog to roam in the dog-ban area will be at risk of receiving an FPN. There will be no grace period for owners who don’t pick up poo after their pet.
Cllr Thomas said by-law banning dogs from certain areas of beaches in Swansea Bay, Bracelet, Limeslade, Rotherslade, Langland, Caswell and Port Eynon between May and September have been in place for more than 20 years and are familiar to many regular beach visitors.
Signs highlighting the location of the dog-free beaches are on show near each of them, including in the closest car parks.
Leaflets have been distributed to businesses and are available at the Tourist Information Centre as well as at council buildings including the Civic Centre. There’s also a website www.swansea.gov.uk/article/3987/Dogs-on-
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