Dogs are currently banned from specific beaches between 1 May and 30 September.
This includes Fermain, Petit Bot, L’Eree, Cobo, the northern end of Vazon, Port Soif, L’Ancresse and Pembroke.
Steve Snell said he walks his beach-loving cockapoo Biscuit on Chouet almost every day.
‘This is the only place where dogs can physically run free,’ he said.
‘Biscuit loves going in the water – especially after she’s just been groomed – she loves mixing with other dogs, stretching her legs and just having fun.
‘We’re restricted with park walks because she mostly has to stay on the lead. We generally go to Chouet beach, which on some days, is absolutely packed with dogs. I just think there should be some revision of the rules.
‘You’re getting overrun on one or two beaches when there’s plenty of other space.’
Mr Snell said he did a recce throughout the summer and noticed some of the restricted beaches were left mostly unoccupied by people.
Though he said he ‘absolutely understands’ popular tourist spots, like Cobo, not allowing dogs,’ there are other places, such as one end of Pembroke, that would benefit dogs year-round. At the end of the summer, he said now would be a good time for a review.
GSPCA manager Steve Byrne agrees – so long as the needs of local wildlife are also factored in.
‘There’s always a balance of human and animal welfare,’ he said.
‘Dog ownership has definitely gone up in the last five years. We’ve all got to share the spaces as best we possibly can. With restricted beaches, it does prove a challenge – especially for some dogs who are not as social as others.
‘We love to see dogs enjoying the beaches, and perhaps there are more beaches that aren’t heavily used by tourists, that dogs could use over the summer.
‘But we do have to consider all the other animals that also enjoy our coast and need their space.
‘As well as nesting birds, dogs do challenge our seal pups and send their mums out to sea. So it’s always worth reviewing these things, and looking at how to best benefit the dogs, people and wildlife.’
Some species of wading birds have declined by 90% in the last 40 years.
The southern end of Vazon, which is recognised as an important site for the wading bird populations, has a voluntary ban throughout winter – though legal for dogs to use, it requests that they do not.
‘There are dog owners who respect it and an awful lot who don’t,’ said Julie Davis, La Societe’s ornithology section secretary.
Mrs Davis thinks that the current laws for dogs on the island’s beaches were relatively lenient compared to other islands, such as Jersey and Alderney. She said that the rules do need to be reviewed, but for the sake of coastal wildlife.
‘We have no desire to be antagonistic towards dog-owners,’ she said.
‘But there is no coastal protection for our seabirds, and we have seen a drastic decline in numbers.
‘That is not only due to dogs, it is due to the overall rise in Guernsey’s population, and more recreational coastal activity, such as wild swimming and surfing.
‘So I do think we need to redress the balance – zoned areas could be one way of doing it.
‘We are working with ACLMS, and aim to create more marine protected areas for birds and wildlife. We need to do our bit.’
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