Dogs on Beaches

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Cornwall has hundreds of beaches. Many dog owners like to be able to take their dogs on Cornwall’s beaches, but not everyone likes or enjoys dogs. Every three years the Council consults on the Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) which is in place to balance the needs of dog owners and others who enjoy the 43 Cornish beaches that are subject to seasonal restrictions on dogs.

On most of these 43 beaches, dogs are currently not allowed between 10am and 6pm from 1 July to 31 August. On beaches that hold Blue Flag or Seaside Award status, restrictions are in place for longer, starting on 15 May and ending on 30 September. In addition, there are also three areas in the Hayle estuary where dogs are not allowed at all because they are protected wildlife areas.

Some privately owned beaches have their own restrictions in place, but there are also many other beaches that do not have any restrictions for dogs at all.

Following the last consultation we have standardised the regulations across Cornwall to make them easier to understand. The feedback we receive suggests that the current level of restrictions works well for most beach users.

During the summer months, people are still able to take their dogs for a beach walk in the early morning and the evening, while people who prefer a beach to be dog free are clear about the months and times of day they can expect this.

People disregarding the PSPO are given advice to leave the restricted area with their dogs, however if they don't follow this advice, £100 Fixed Penalty Notices are issued. Patrols are undertaken by a mix of Dog Welfare Enforcement officers, Town and Parish Council officers and Civil Enforcement Officers.

We held a public consultation on our proposals for seasonal restrictions for dogs on beaches for 2023-2025 between 4 September and 28 November 2022. During the consultation, people were invited to complete the consultation questionnaire below. Paper copies were available on request and at Library and Information Service points.

The results of the consultation were considered by Cornwall Council's Neighbourhoods Overview and Scrutiny Committee in January 2023 and helped inform the PSPO that will be in place for 2023-2025.

Cornwall has hundreds of beaches. Many dog owners like to be able to take their dogs on Cornwall’s beaches, but not everyone likes or enjoys dogs. Every three years the Council consults on the Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) which is in place to balance the needs of dog owners and others who enjoy the 43 Cornish beaches that are subject to seasonal restrictions on dogs.

On most of these 43 beaches, dogs are currently not allowed between 10am and 6pm from 1 July to 31 August. On beaches that hold Blue Flag or Seaside Award status, restrictions are in place for longer, starting on 15 May and ending on 30 September. In addition, there are also three areas in the Hayle estuary where dogs are not allowed at all because they are protected wildlife areas.

Some privately owned beaches have their own restrictions in place, but there are also many other beaches that do not have any restrictions for dogs at all.

Following the last consultation we have standardised the regulations across Cornwall to make them easier to understand. The feedback we receive suggests that the current level of restrictions works well for most beach users.

During the summer months, people are still able to take their dogs for a beach walk in the early morning and the evening, while people who prefer a beach to be dog free are clear about the months and times of day they can expect this.

People disregarding the PSPO are given advice to leave the restricted area with their dogs, however if they don't follow this advice, £100 Fixed Penalty Notices are issued. Patrols are undertaken by a mix of Dog Welfare Enforcement officers, Town and Parish Council officers and Civil Enforcement Officers.

We held a public consultation on our proposals for seasonal restrictions for dogs on beaches for 2023-2025 between 4 September and 28 November 2022. During the consultation, people were invited to complete the consultation questionnaire below. Paper copies were available on request and at Library and Information Service points.

The results of the consultation were considered by Cornwall Council's Neighbourhoods Overview and Scrutiny Committee in January 2023 and helped inform the PSPO that will be in place for 2023-2025.

  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    This survey closed on 28 November 2022.


    Privacy Notice 

    We will use the information you provide to inform the Public Space Protection (Dogs on Beaches) Order for 2023 - 2025.

    The Data Controller for the information you provide in this survey is Cornwall Council, New County Hall, Treyew Road, Truro TR1 3AY. Data Protection Registration Number: Z1745294. Once the survey has closed, your data will be held within Cornwall Council’s secure network and premises for up to 2 years. Where we ask you to supply personal data on this form, we will only make access to this data available to authorised members of staff who are required to process it for the purposes outlined in this privacy notice. Please note that other information you provide, such as responses to open questions, may be published in full.



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Page last updated: 14 Feb 2023, 09:44 AM