Dogs on the beach

Dog Owners on the Sefton Coast

Code of Conduct (March 2011)

Sefton Coast and Countryside Service manage all of Sefton Council’s beaches. Our main aim as beach managers is to make Sefton’s beaches a safer place for everyone.

Although the beaches look safe, there are many hidden natural hazards as well as other beach and coastal activities taking place by other users. The Sefton Coast has a wealth of habitats, which are protected, and are home to species of such rarity that they have been afforded their own protection.

The Sefton Coast is recognised as an important area for recreation and conservation. With this in mind Sefton has implemented a Beach Management Plan. Some of this plan is visible on the beach, such as vehicle free zones, dog and horse free zones, a bathing area for the public, flagpoles and warning signs.

These guidelines, with your help, should make the beach a safer place for everyone.

Please observe some basic rules:

• Keep your dog under close control at all times. If you cannot control your dog, keep it on a lead.
• Never let your dog roam around the coast unattended. A dog out of sight might be out of control. It must not be allowed to disturb or chase wildlife or livestock (remember – at certain times of year some birds nest on the ground, there can be large flocks of wading birds on the beaches and dune slacks can contain Natterjack Toad spawn / tadpoles)
• Do not allow your dog to disturb other coast visitors. Remember that dogs and groups of dogs can be very intimidating to other beach users – be considerate to other beach users particularly children.
• You must clean up after your dog. Failure to clean up dog waste is an offence under the cleaner Neighbourhoods Act 2005. You could incur a £75 fixed penalty or be fined up to £1000 if prosecuted. If there is no bin, then take your dog waste home. Littering attracts the same penalty as dog fouling.
• Your dog must wear a collar and tag. The tag must have the owner's details on it; you may be prosecuted if your dog does not have one.

Dog Exclusion Zones:

There are two Dog Exclusion Zones are in place from 1^st of May to the 30^th September. This gives other visitors a choice and keeps the bathing areas free of dog mess.

• Southport Beach is free of dogs from the Pier for 555m south (towards Pleasureland) and to the tide line.
• Ainsdale Beach is free of dogs 200m either side of the main beach entrance, and to the tide line.

Both the Dog Exclusion Zones are well signed during the summer season.