Dogs gnash for a splash

Laddy, a nine-year-old golden retriever, likes diving for pebbles and placing them on the beach but he may have to give up his favourite water sport because of a law banning dogs from swimming in the sea.

His owner, Henry Copperstone, was among the dog lovers who turned up outside the Sliema council yesterday morning to protest against regulations that are depriving them and their pets of enjoying a summer dip in safe areas.

“Dogs should have the right to swim, just like people. We can find a compromise and have designated areas for dogs on certain beaches rather than ban them outright,” Mr Copperstone said, as he held on to the leash of his other golden retriever – Champy.

Dog owners yesterday presented the council with a petition, signed by over 1,000 people, calling for dog-friendly beaches and public gardens. The council recently published two bylaws banning dogs from swimming in natural pools and accessing public gardens.

The petition, still open for support online, will be forwarded to Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, Health Minister Joseph Cassar and Rural Affairs Minister George Pullicino.

The dog owners yesterday walked through the heart of Sliema carrying banners and stressed that rather than ban dogs from beaches, more effort should be made to enforce responsible ownership.

Dog owners should pick up their pets’ excrement and ensure their dog did not bother other swimmers, they said.

They pointed out that pushing pets out of the 87 designated bathing zones – according to a 2009 law that is now being enforced – meant that dogs and their owners were pushed to the beaches with dangerous water-access points.

“Why should I risk being slammed against a rock, in a dangerous swimming area, to take my dog for a swim?” one woman said.

Mario Borg, one of the protest organisers, said such regulations worked against animal welfare rights.

“They are making it more difficult for people to own a dog... and this can lead to more abandonment of animals,” he said, adding that the fines – ranging from €232 to €11,600 – were “ridiculously outrageous”.

Mr Borg’s eight-year-old German shepherd, Rex, was an abandoned dog which jumped into his new owner’s car six years ago.

“He likes swimming, but he’s a bit fussy. He needs a ramp or something similar,” his owner said.

Health Minister Joseph Cassar had said the regulations were based on World Health Organisation guidelines.

The guidelines for safe recreational waters state: “The principal microbial risk to human health encountered upon beaches and similar areas is that arising from contact with animal excreta, particularly from dogs...

“Regulations that restrict access seasonally on frequently used beaches or place an obligation upon the owner to remove animal excreta, increased public awareness and beach cleaning are preventive management actions.”