GEORGE NEWS - In order to adhere to the Blue Flag international standards at all the beaches in the George municipal area, it is imperative to keep all dogs off the sandy areas.
This is also in line with the municipality's by-law for the keeping of dogs, cats and animals.
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.
Two of the sandy spots in the George area where doggies may take a stroll with their owners are between the turn-off from the N2 opposite the Ebb-and-Flow entrance and The Views hotel, and in the Kleinkrantz area. Check the accompanying map to find other dog-friendly areas.
Both Wilderness Beach and Herold's Bay have full Blue Flag status and Victoria Bay has Pilot status for the 2022 festive season.
Dog poop
Dog excrement can contaminate the water and jeopardise the Blue Flag status of the 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 these beaches. Law enforcement officers will not hesitate to act against those who do not adhere to the by-law.
On a leash
Further to the by-law, no dog or other animal may be in any public street or public space (that is, any open public space that falls under the George municipal jurisdiction that the public has access to, 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 excrement into, in the event of the dog defecating.
Please note that dogs are allowed on the sidewalk areas, (tarred, brick-paved) 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, Victoria Bay and the Leentjiesklip and Wilderness beach areas up to the NSRI (Salina's Restaurant). The area to the left of Salina's Restaurant (facing the sea) falls under SANParks.
The George municipal by-law may differ from that of other municipalities.
Fines
If your dog(s) could be considered dangerous, vicious or ferocious, please humanely muzzle them 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 and up 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 map of SANParks attached, to see where dogs are allowed on beaches and where not.
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