As summer begins to draw to a close so does the ban on dogs roaming across Cornish beaches. Throughout the height of summer, dogs have been barred from a large number of shorelines from 10am and 6pm.
Those who disregarded the Public Spaces Protection Order were at risk of a £100 fine handed out by patrolling council or civil enforcement officers.
Blue Flag and Seaside Award beaches have longer-lasting restrictions until the end of September, while private beaches and protected wildlife areas have their own rules.
The restrictions on most beaches are aimed at balancing recreational uses by beachgoers and dogwalkers alike, with maintaining cleanliness and the safety of wildlife.
But even though summertime restrictions on taking your dog to the beach are over for many beaches in Cornwall – some locals would prefer that it was in place all year round.
CornwallLive reader Sc-12 writes: “I don’t think dogs should be banned from beaches all year round they love the beach. But I do think their owners should be fined heavily if caught not picking up after them.”
HatsOnHatsOff didn’t seem to notice much of a difference: “The seasonal ban didn’t stop a lot of people unfortunately.” Colinfromcornwall agrees: “Yes, it was a joke, walk down most days and there are dogs on the beach. Council signage was certainly on the small side.”
Then there are those would prefer dogs were kept off the beach altogether, such as Claptnei: “Excellent, more feces on the already polluted beaches. Ban dogs all year for the beaches.”
Trudgy agrees: “Dogs should be banned all year round from beaches, there’s plenty of land around for them.”
Bud68 writes: “Why do dog owners think their dogs come before others on a beach, nobody wants to it barking/yapping all the time, beaches aren’t for dogs.”
Resident Derek Taylor says locals should come before beachgoing tourists: “We live here, don’t see why we can’t use our beaches all year. If emmets don’t like it, don’t come.”
Dean Ruston writes: “If Cornwall was so built up that beaches were the only place to walk, that would be a problem. It’s hardly a problem to be banned from beaches during holidays, when there is such beautiful countryside around.
“Also I see dog crap everywhere here, off season. And babies and children dont want it all over them when playing on the beach. Lived here 30 years and a dog owner.”