Hundreds protest plan for year-round dog beach ban

Hundreds of dogs and their owners descended on a beach to protest against a planned year-round ban.

If approved, dogs would be banned from the Cayley Promenade section of the beach in Rhos-on-Sea, Conwy, which is between already dog-free areas at the harbour and Porth Eirias.

Conwy councillor Jo Nuttall, also a Rhos-on-Sea town councillor, said creating another no-go area would disproportionately penalise owners.

In a consultation document, Conwy council said dog-related issues were a "key concern" for communities.

Nuttall said: "I'm not against a seasonal ban of sorts. If they did, let's have dogs before 10:00 and no dogs after 10:00.

"So long as it is policed. If it is not policed it won't work."

She said the council had begun a consultation on a total ban because of owners who do not pick up their pets' poo or keep their animals under control.

The authority put a dog control order in place in 2023 to tackle issues like fouling and dogs entering excluded areas.

The council is considering extending the current order, which expires in October, to include new areas where dogs are not allowed, including Rhos-on-Sea.

Resident Diana Owen, out with pet Brock, said: "They need to really think about this. I can appreciate people do not always want to have dogs on the beach.

"But we pay our rates, we do live here. And being a lady on my own it's far safer on the beach."

Wendy Routledge said humans, not dogs, were to blame for mess on the beach, and said introducing a beach warden would be a better idea.

"Out of season especially, it's dog walkers who come and use the local businesses after their walks," she said.

Anne Goodhead believed dog walkers should be able to access the beach for their mental wellbeing.

She said: "We need to be able to go on the beach. It's big enough for everybody."

Another dog-free zone is being proposed at a sports ground in Betws-yn-Rhos.

The consultation closes on 11 September.