GEORGE NEWS - In order to adhere to the Blue Flag international standards at all the beaches in the George municipal area, the rule of no dogs on sand areas at beaches (municipal by-law on the keeping of dogs, cats and animals) has to be strictly enforced.
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.
Wilderness Beach and Herold's Bay both have full Blue Flag status and Victoria Bay has Pilot status for the 2022 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 2022 to 31 January 2023.
Further to this 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 municipal jurisdiction, such as beachfronts, parks, sport fields and sidewalks), except on a leash and under control.
This is unless the animal is in an area designated by the George Municipality as a free-running area.
A person is not allowed to walk a dog other than a guide dog, on a beachfront, a public street or public place, without carrying enough plastic or paper bags or wrappers to place the dog's excrement into.
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 Wilderness beach areas up until the NSRI (Salina's Restaurant). The area to the east of Salina's Restaurant falls under SANParks.
This George municipal by-law may differ from that of other municipalities. Please humanely muzzle dogs that could be considered dangerous, vicious or ferocious, and keep them under control.
No animals should be left in an unattended and/or closed vehicle or open bakkie in any public street or space. If this by-law is not adhered to, a fine of R500 or more can and will be imposed.
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 kennels or catteries.
We ask dog owners to familiarise themselves with the attached map of SANParks to see where dogs are allowed on beaches and where not.
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