Dogs to be allowed in Sliema gardens

Dogs will continue to be allowed in Sliema’s public gardens after the local council decided not to go ahead with banning them, although they will still be prohibited from swimming zones.

The decision was taken after the council discussed the proposed bye-law and residents’ comments were taken into consideration.

The council decided that it was not right to discriminate against dog owners, especially since Independence Garden was home to a large population of cats. Signs saying “No dogs allowed” will be replaced by others advising owners to keep dogs on a leash.

Dogs will still be prohibited from swimming in the rock pools found on the seafront, and in designated swimming zones, following a legal notice issued by central government.

The new rules had provoked an uproar, with a protest march organised by dog owners and their four-legged friends in Sliema.

The group presented a 1,000-strong petition to the council asking for a compromise on the regulations.

They argued that in keeping the dogs away, the council was also banning their owners and they had practically nowhere else to take their dogs other than some inconvenient rocky beaches.

Sliema mayor Joanna Gonzi encouraged dog owners to be responsible and clean up after their pets.