The annual ban runs until 30 September and covers some of the island’s most popular bays, as well as some in Herm.
Dogs are not allowed on or off the lead on the following beaches from today – Fermain, Petit Bot, L’Eree, the northern end of Vazon, Port Soif, Cobo and L’Ancresse/ Pembroke.
In Herm, they are banned from Shell Beach, Belvoir Bay, Fisherman’s Beach and the stretch of beach in front of the White House Hotel to the Herm jetty.
In its reminder about the seasonal restrictions, the GSPCA said that although dogs are allowed on sections of Vazon and on Richmond, walkers are asked to keep the animals off the north end of Vazon and the east end of Richmond to help the wading birds that feed and rest along those stretches of coast.
Walking their seven dogs – three collies, two terriers, a cockapoo and a papillon – on Pembroke yesterday, Nigel Long and Carol Savage said that they understood the reasons for the restrictions.
‘It’s the same in England, there are some beaches you can’t go on in the summer,’ said Mr Long.
They hail from near Portsmouth and were visiting the island, where Mr Long lived for a year in 1969, ahead of attending an agility festival in Jersey this week in which three of their dogs will be taking part.
‘I can understand the reason for the ban, especially with kids [on the beach],’ said Ms Savage. ‘These jump up, but they wouldn’t hurt anyone.’
A local dog owner was on the beach with his five-year-old Labrador.
He said that the introduction of the ban would see him walking her on the common during the summer. ‘We might walk to Ladies’ Bay, but the only problem is she has a bit of arthritis and might not get that far.’
The man, who asked not to be named, said he thought that perhaps dogs could be allowed on beaches on the same basis as horses, since they could go on the shore at certain times even in the summer.
Horses may not be ridden on the shoreline between 10am and 7pm from 1 May to 30 September.
For details on all the restrictions, go to /www.gov.gg/dogban.
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