Pembrokeshire County Council have confirmed that WISE enforcement officers will be carrying out patrols for breaches of beach byelaws with the annual restrictions on dogs running from the start of May to the end of September.

Despite being known to many as ‘dog friendly Pembrokeshire’ - the Local Authority still likes to restrict pet pooches from many of the the county’s beaches during the holiday season, between May 1 and September 30 each year.

PCC state that the bye-laws prohibiting dogs from areas of certain beaches exist primarily to protect the interests of bathers during the summer season.

Partial beach bans are in place on the following: Saundersfoot beach; Tenby Castle and South Beach; Lydstep; Newgale; Amroth; Poppit Sands; Broadhaven North; Dale; whilst Tenby’s North Beach and Whitesands in St Davids are the subject of total dog bans.

PCC has confirmed that WISE (Waste Investigations Support & Enforcement) officers will be carrying out patrols on beaches alongside their other routes, with breaches of beach byelaws part of their contracted duties.

A Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) of £75 can be issued for anyone breaking the restrictions. Guide Dogs are exempt.

“The intention is for beaches to be patrolled and enforcement of beach byelaws to be carried out where necessary,” said a spokesperson for PCC.

“As always we would prefer not to have to enforce and would urge all those visiting beaches to follow local signage and familiarise themselves with the details of where dogs are allowed and not allowed.”

Some have labelled the policy as ‘draconian’ with Tenby councillor Duncan Whitehurst suggesting in recent year an idea to amend the times dogs are allowed on areas such as North Beach, rather than a total prohibition for five months of the year.

Bans in other seaside resorts across the UK, such as Cornwall, only have restrictions on beaches between ‘peak times’ such as between 10 am and 6 pm.

In relation to Saundersfoot’s main beach, County Councillor for the south ward, Cllr Chris Williams has engaged with holiday companies, and asked them to remind visitors of the restrictions, especially properties along The Strand that have access to the beach within the dog enforcement area.

“I feel communication is the best way forward on this - but persistent individuals who ignore the rules will be subject to the enforcement team patrolling our beaches and villages,” he explained.

More information can be found at: https://www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/dog-control/summer-beach-bans