Dog owners, heed the blue flags

GEORGE NEWS - To adhere to the Blue Flag international standards at all the beaches in the George municipal area, it is imperative to strictly enforce the rule of no dogs on beaches (sand areas), in line with the municipality's by-law on the keeping of dogs, cats and animals.

"Dog excrement can contaminate the water and jeopardise the Blue Flag status of our beaches - even if the dog poop is picked up," says media liaison officer Debra Sauer. "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 that do not adhere to the by-law."

Proudly blue

Wilderness Beach has full Blue Flag status and Victoria Bay and Herold's Bay both gained Pilot status. 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).

Blue Flag beaches promote tourism, which stimulates the economy and assist with job creation. The status offers many benefits, including improved tourism facilities, enhanced management of coastal ecosystems, increased awareness of the coast and capacity building of coastal municipalities. It also carries significant international merit.

Leash law

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 which falls under the George Municipal 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 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 excrement of the dog 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 includes Herold's Bay, Gwaiing River Mouth, Victoria Bay and the Leentjiesklip area.

The public must also note that by-laws relating to dogs on a street or public place relate to the George municipal jurisdiction and it might differ from other municipalities.

The public is also requested to humanely muzzle and keep dogs that could be considered dangerous, vicious or ferocious, under control. No animals should be left in an unattended and/or a closed vehicle or open bakkie in any public street or space. If this by-law is not adhered to, a fine of R1 000 will be imposed.

Richard von Willingh, manager of Law Enforcement at George Municipality, requests that animal owners leaving on vacation have their animals cared for by a reliable person or at an animal boarding facility such as kennels or catteries. He asks dog owners to familiarise themselves with the attached map of SANParks, to see where dogs are allowed on beaches and where not.