Further to various articles and letters that have been published on The Times, I would like to point out that the Sliema local council has at no time discussed or proposed a by-law that would prohibit dogs from swimming in our beaches, whether these beaches are delineated as swimmers’ zone beaches or not. The council has also never published any statement stating that dogs swimming in seas with humans could lead to the transmission of diseases.
The law and statements that have been mentioned in articles refer to a Legal Notice by the Health Ministry and statements by people from the Health Department. The Legal Notice is reported to fine up to €4,500 dog owners whose dogs would be caught swimming in swimmers’ zones. Once again, I emphasise that this law was never mentioned, discussed or approved by the Sliema local council. In fact, the article states that it would be enforced all around Malta and Gozo, something that our council does not have the remit to do.
Meanwhile, the by-law that the council had approved was that which prohibits dogs from swimming in natural pools in Qui-Si-Sana and Fond Għadir areas. These natural pools are more commonly known as il-banjijiet, which are small holes in our rocky beaches that are filled with seawater, which are therefore, not open seas. In fact, the by-law does not prohibit dogs from swimming in our beaches, including in swimmers’ zones.
Another by-law that the council has proposed is one which states that dogs have to kept on a leash. This is being done because of the ample complaints that have reached our council, in which people and small dogs have been attacked by larger dogs that were not kept on a leash. Meanwhile, we have also experienced instances in which green wardens go and fine dog owners for not cleaning after their dogs, having the dog owners stating that the dog wasn’t theirs.
It is true, that we have also drafted a by-law stating that dogs should be prohibited from our two public gardens. Any comments and/or objections to this by-law and any other one can reach the council offices during the consultation period and would be taken into account prior to final approval of the by-law.
Finally, we have also drafted another two by-laws. One that prohibits BBQs at the Qui-Si-Sana beach, while BBQs in all other beaches in Sliema that have more than 10 participants would be obliged to get a permit from the council, thus holding people accountable for cleaning the area afterwards. The last by-law prohibits the use of glass containers for alcohol on the beach, on the promenade and in our streets. Meaning that only carton or plastic cups will be allowed. This has been done to minimise the large amount of broken bottles and glasses found daily in our beaches and streets.
While hoping that this clarifies matters with regard to the by-laws that have been proposed by the Sliema local council, I encourage anyone who has any queries or suggestions to get in touch with the council staff on 2132 3895 or with me personally via my e-mail on info@cyrusengerer.com.