A dog owner fined in Tenby for breaching Pembrokeshire County Council’s beach restriction byelaws on pet pooches, has hit out at ’smug’ enforcement officers employed by the Local Authority, after being hit with a £75 Fixed Penalty Notice - vowing to never return to the seaside town again!

Between May 1 and September 30, there are restrictions on taking dogs onto some of Pembrokeshire beaches, including Tenby’s North, Castle and part of South beach.

Ahead of the beach ban coming into place PCC did warn that WISE enforcement wardens employed to tackle a range of environmental crimes, were now also tasked with patrolling beaches for such breaches.

One visitor caught out this month, wrote to the Observer to voice their disgruntlement at what they described as a ‘brutal beach’ ban.

“Dog friendly Pembrokeshire?? Unfortunately, we were fined £75 for straying into an area that prohibits dogs,” they stated.

“As a result of the brutal beach restrictions, Tenby town is now constantly saturated with dog owners/walkers with hardly anywhere to walk their pets!

“However, many pubs etc will allow dogs into their premises and will take your money as they are aware of the value of the tourist’s money.

“I will of course pay my fine given to me by a smug enforcement officer but after holidaying in Tenby for over 55 years myself and my family will never return again.

“If you own a dog holidaying in Tenby from May to the end of September, it is a complete waste of time, effort and money.”

At this month’s meeting of Tenby Town Council, Cllr Laura Crockford raised the matter, and referred to two different signs regarding dog ban boundaries on South Beach and that fines were seemingly being issued within areas where people believed they could take their dogs.

“The signage appears to have moved the start of the separate zones from the original byelaw,” she commented, stating that she believed PCC had spoken to their enforcers, but because the restrictions in place are zonal, this created difficulties.

“People don’t want to break the law and need clarity,” added Cllr Crockford.

Deputy Mayor Cllr Charles Dale agreed, stating: “It is impossible to see the demarcation for dogs.

“Why do we not have flags, six maybe following the line down the beach. It would be much simpler,” he added, proposing that a meeting is set up with PCC officers to clarify the situation.