A walk on the beach can be just as much of a special treat for dogs as it is for their owners. But, some new rules are coming into place which will see dog owners receive a fine of up to £1,000 in court for taking their four-legged friends on a sandy stroll.
A seasonal ban is coming into effect across the North West, North East and Yorkshire as many popular beach attractions will see an increase of visitors from May 1 to September 30. Fines will be handed out by environmental officers who break the new ban.
To ensure that you do not receive a hefty fine simply for taking your pet out for a walk, we have compiled a list of all the beaches that will be implementing the ban during the summer months.
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North West
Blackpool
Dogs will not be allowed to be walked on the beach between North Pier and the Mirror Ball opposite the Solaris Centre. Meanwhile, dogs must be kept on a lead on the promenade at all times between Noth and South Piers.
Fleetwood Beach
The dog ban will be implemented from Fleetwood Beach's east side of the slipway eastward to the west side of the former pier.
Cleveleys Beach
The seasonal dog ban will be in effect in Cleveleys Beach from Cage Clove to Wyre Borough Boundary.
Southport Beach
The ban will be in effect starting from the Pier south towards Pleasureland (for 555m) and to the title line.
Ainsdale Beach
Ainsdale beach will be free of dogs 200m on either side of the main beach entrance and to the tide line.
North East
Northumberland
Two beaches in Northumberland will be implementing the ban. Dogs will be banned from the section of beach by Newbiggin by the Sea from the breakwater at Church Point to the beach access from the promenade at Sidney Crescent.
Meanwhile, the section of beach at Blyth from the beach access at Beachway to the beach access at the southern end of the Links Road car park. A Public Spaces Protection Order announced by Northumberland County Council has also banned dogs from any enclosed children's play areas during the summer.
North Tyneside
Dogs will not be allowed at Whitley Bay South beach, Cullercoats Bay, King Edward's Bay and Tynemouth Longsands south.
South Tyneside
The ban will be implemented at only one beach - Sandhaven in South Shields. However, the ban will only be in effect from 8am until 6pm, therefore, dog walkers can take their pets for a walk outside of those hours.
Sunderland
In the Sunderland region, dog exclusion zones will be implemented on Roker Beach and a limited stretch of beach at Seaburn during the summer period. Anyone who breaches the order by Sunderland City Council will face a fixed penalty fine of £100.
Michelle Coates, Neighbourhood Enforcement Manager at Sunderland City Council, said: "We're lucky enough to have some fabulous beaches in Sunderland with more than enough space for everyone, so we would ask anyone planning to take their dog for a walk along the beach to make sure that they check the signage and observe the zones. We would also ask people to make sure that they clean up after their dogs.
"Although the vast majority of our residents do this, we still see some irresponsible dog owners who allow their dogs to foul on our footpaths, green spaces and beaches and don't clear it up. This has resulted in us issuing 194 fixed penalty notices for dog fouling and dog control offences citywide in the last year, and 62 for dog fouling and dog control at Roker and Seaburn beaches over the same period."
County Durham
While many beaches across the North East will be banning dogs, County Durham is permitting dogs to walk across all its beaches. Ian Hoult, Durham County Council’s neighbourhood protection manager, said: "We have some truly stunning beaches in County Durham, from Seaham to Blackhall Rocks and Crimdon Dene, and dog walkers and their pets are very welcome at all of them throughout the year.
"All we ask is that owners pick up after their dogs, do not let them stray and that they put them on a lead when asked to do so by one of our neighbourhood wardens or a police officer."
Hartlepool
Across the Hartlepool area, two beaches will have a Public Space Protection Order enforced from Sunday - Block Sands and Fish Sands. Seaton Care, from the Norton Hotel to the Coach Park will also be implementing a PSPO.
Yorkshire
Bridlington
Bridlington North Beach will have a PSPO implemented between the northern end of North Marine Promenade and the norht-eastern face of the North Pier. Meanwhile, Bridlington South Beach will have a dog ban between the souther face of the South Pier and the eastern face of Princess Mary Promenade Sea Wall.
Filey
Dogs will be banned from entering from a line drawn at 90 degrees to the line of the coast from the southernmost point of the sea wall at Royal Parade, to a line drawn at 90 degrees to the sea wall from the northernmost side of the beach slipway which separates the Coble Landing from the Promenade.
Hornsea
Restrictions will be in place between the concrete ramp at Headland View and the steps south of Sands Lane.
Sandsend
Dogs will be unable to go the beach from the steps below the public conveniences below Sandhills to the slipway at the southern end of Bank Bottom car park.
Scarborough North Bay
The ban will be in effect from the West Pier to a line drawn at 90 degrees to Foreshore from the top of the southernmost flight of steps leading to the beach at the roundabout adjacent to the underground car park.
Whitby
In Whitby, the west beach from the West Pier to a line drawn at 90 degrees to the promenade from the east side of the beach steps adjacent to the western end of the beach chalets. However, dogs will be allowed at Tate Hill as long as they are kept on a lead at all times.
Withernsea
Restrictions will be in place between the access ramp opposite Seaside Road and the beach access steps 100 metres south of Pier Towers.
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