From Saturday 1 May the annual seasonal dog restrictions will come into force and dogs will be banned from certain beaches across the district until 30 September. Ahead of this, Folkestone & Hythe District Council is urging dog owners to be responsible this summer and enjoy beaches considerately.
Nine stretches of beach have a summer beach ban however, with 26 miles of coastline there are plenty of other areas available for dogs and owners to enjoy. Dog-free signs are in place along the promenade to remind dog owners of the restrictions.
The beaches where a dog beach ban is in place are:
- Folkestone – Sunny Sands.
- Folkestone – Mermaids Beach (in front of Lower Leas Coastal Park).
- ·Sandgate/Seabrook – Sandgate Castle to BP Garage.
- Hythe – Twiss Road to St Leonard’s Road.
- St Mary’s Bay – The Fairway to river outfall.
- Littlestone – Water tower at Madeira Road to Clark Road.
- Greatstone – Jolly Fisherman carpark through to17 the Parade.
Unfortunately, Dog mess becomes a greater issue over the summer. The majority of dog owners clean up after their pets, but there is a minority who ignore the rules causing problems to other people and animals.
Dog mess can transmit the disease Toxocara Canis to humans and although the disease is rare, it can cause disability including blindness with children being particularly vulnerable.
Bins and dog bins are available along our promenades so please don’t hang dog waste bags on trees or bushes. This encourages others to do the same and is still considered littering. So remember – bag it, tie it, bin it. Failure to clean up after your dog will result in a fine upwards of £100.
A council spokesperson said, “These seasonal restrictions mean that we can keep these popular beach areas dog free for the busy summer months. We ask owners to respect these seasonal measures by enjoying other parts of the district.
“Any bin will do for dog poo so there’s really no excuse. In addition to posing a health risk, dog mess just isn’t very nice for other residents or visitors to have to experience.
“Dog mess can also affect our sea water quality too – something we all want to avoid as our family or friends enjoy the beach during the summer.”
You can find a detailed map of dog banned beaches and report dog mess by following the link – https://www.folkestone-hythe.gov.uk/environmental-protection/dogs-on-beaches