Sliema council says it is not banning dogs from its beaches
Sliema local council said today that it is not proposing to ban dogs from swimming in the locality's bays, but they must not be allowed into the natural pools on the seafront. The council was reacting to a public uproar over Central Government rules ...
Sliema local council said today that it is not proposing to ban dogs from swimming in the locality's bays, but they must not be allowed into the natural pools on the seafront.
The council was reacting to a public uproar over Central Government rules barring dogs from swimmers’ zones.
The council said the bye laws it is proposing are different from those of the Central Government.
"Sliema local council is sensitive to the fact that many residents have pets, particularly dogs, which they hold very dear. In fact, the local council is not barring dogs from swimming in the bays within the locality. The council, however, is proposing to ban dogs from the natural pools, the council said.
Breaking this rule will make the dog owners liable for a fine of €50.
The council said it will also propose bye laws on the control of dogs on the promenades and beaches and a ban on dogs in public gardens.
The Times reported last week that dog owners should think twice before they take their pet to swim as they risk being slapped with a fine of up to €4,500 should their four-legged friend be caught in a swimmers’ zone.
Although rules barring dogs from swimmers’ zones came into force in 2009, enforcement was stepped up in the past days as bathers who usually take their furry friends to the beach with them reported being stopped by beach supervisors and told to keep their pets from using the area within the ropes delineating swimmer zones.
The Health Ministry said this was meant to keep in check the possibility of spreading diseases.
The same law also stipulates that domestic pets are not to be taken on sandy beaches at any time. Rocky beaches are not out of bounds but the owners must ensure their pets are not a nuisance to other bathers and should clean any fouling.
Fines stipulated for breaking the law range from a minimum of €232 and a maximum of €4,658 for a first offence. For a second offence, the maximum rises to €11,600.