GEORGE NEWS - In order to adhere to the Blue Flag international standards at all of our beaches, it is imperative to strictly enforce the rule of no dogs on beaches (sand areas) that have not been demarcated as dog-friendly.
This rule has been set out in George Municipality's by-law on the keeping of dogs, cats and animals.
Wilderness Beach, Herold's Bay and Victoria Bay have full Blue Flag status and Leentjiesklip has Pilot status for the 2023 festive season.
Blue Flag is an international coastal management programme that accredits beaches that meet standards of excellence in water quality, environmental management, environmental education and information, as well as safety and services. In South Africa the programme is implemented by the Wildlife Environmental Society of South Africa (Wessa).
The Blue Flag season runs from 1 December 2023 to 31 January 2024.
Dog excrement can contaminate the water and jeopardise the Blue Flag status of our beaches - even if the dog poop is picked up. Dog owners are therefore warned to keep dogs on a leash and off the sandy areas at the beaches.
Law enforcement officers will not hesitate to act against those who do not adhere to the by-law.
There are however dog-friendly areas where dogs may be walked on the beach. See the accompanying map applicable to Wilderness beach, lower down in the article.
Further to the by-law, no dog or other animal may be in any public street or public space (any open public space the public has access to) that falls under the George Municipality's jurisdiction, for example beachfronts, parks, sport fields and sidewalks, except on a leash and under control. This is unless the animal is in an area designated by George Municipality as a free-running area.
A person is not allowed to walk a dog - other than a service dog - on a beachfront, a public street or public place without carrying enough plastic or paper bags or wrappers to place the excrement into, in the event of the dog defecating.
Please note that dogs are allowed on the sidewalk areas (tarred, brick-paved etc) of beachfronts, if these conditions are adhered to.
The beach areas under the control of the George Municipality include Herold's Bay, Gwaiing river mouth beach, Victoria Bay and the Leentjiesklip and Wildnerness beach areas up until the NSRI (Salina's Restaurant). The area to the east of Salina's Restaurant falls under SANParks.
The George municipal by-law may differ from that of other municipalities.
Familiarise yourselves with this map of Sanparks attached, to see where dogs are allowed on beaches and where not.
George Municipality asks dog owners to familiarise themselves with the map to see where dogs are allowed on beaches and where not.
Animal owners leaving on vacation should please ensure that they have their animals cared for by a reliable person or at an animal boarding facility such as a kennel or a cattery.
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