Cape Town - Aggressive dogs not under their owners’ control, and people not picking up after their pets, were among the reasons for the City of Cape Town’s proposal to ban dogs on a number of South Peninsula beaches.
The proposal, which also seeks to reduce access on other beaches along the False Bay coast, has been slammed by pet owners, with the city receiving more than 700 comments on the issue.
Belinda Walker, Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Special Projects, said there were several reasons for the proposal.
She said the city recognised that dogs could negatively affect other beach users’ recreational experience, adding that they had as much right to a dog-free environment as others had to a dog-friendly environment.
She also cited a number of attacks that had taken place on the coastline in recent years, including on horses in Hout Bay in 2010, penguins at Seaforth beach in 2011, and on children in Green Point and Clifton in 2011 and 2012, respectively. There was also a dog fight on Fish Hoek beach in 2012.
Walker said the four major factors in considering various animal zones along the coastline included environmental sensitivities, the hazardous component of animals, the nuisance factor of animals on the beach, and the hygiene/waste component.
“Dog faeces contributes to poor seawater quality and the experience of encountering this on the beach is an unpleasant one for all.”
Beaches where a complete ban have been proposed include Glencairn, Long Beach in Kommetjie, Millers Point, Strandfontein, Seaforth, Dalebrook and St James. The proposed ban will also include most tidal pools, while horses would also be restricted on some beaches.
Marilyn Hoole, director and co-founder of The Emma Animal Rescue Society (Tears), said a lot of people were not aware of the proposal.
“People are anxious. There are so many restrictions already. Beaches are one of the few places left where you can really exercise dogs.”
Tears takes its kennel dogs to Kommetjie every Friday for a run.
“We’re responsible – we pick up after them and only take dogs we know are well socialised.”
Hoole said a number of people felt safer walking with dogs.
There have been a number of violent attacks on people at many of these beaches in recent years.
“I don’t think this has been thought through properly,” she said.
Taryn Blyth, a dog behaviourist and regular beach dog walker, said in comments she submitted to the council that although she was not absolutely opposed to a time-sharing system, the times set out were oftenunrealistic and extremely unfair for dog walkers.
She said that expecting people to walk their dogs in the dark after 6pm in winter, for example, was ridiculous and might lead to many dog walkers not being able to exercise their dogs at all.
She also pointed out that outside peak holiday season and weekends in summer, most of the beaches in the South Peninsula had very few users except dog walkers and surfers.
“To permanently restrict the access of dog walkers to areas for their dogs to run free and exercise properly for the sake oftemporary users who are only there for a small percentage of the year cannot be justified.”
Walker said the various subcouncils had been tasked with making recommendations in their areas.
The deadline for public comment on the proposals is Thursday.
* For comments or enquiries, contact Helen Jordaan at 021 400 1691,
Beach rules
Some of the major changes proposed for beaches in the South Peninsula:
* Kommetjie: proposed change at Long Beach, Kommetjie from free-running to no dogs.
* Glencairn Beach and tidal pool: proposed change to no dogs allowed.
* Fish Hoek Beach: status quo of no dogs in the corner on the Jaggers Walk end of the beach, proposed dogs on a lead from the lighthouse to the start of Clovelly Beach.
* Clovelly Beach: proposed change from a free-running area for dogs to time restrictions for free-running dogs.
* St James Beach and tidal pool:status quo, no dogs allowed.
* Muizenberg Beach including Surfer’s Corner: restricted to certain times.
* Sunrise Beach: status quo, restricted to certain times.
* Kalk Bay tidal pools: status quo, no dogs allowed.
* Dalebrook Beach and tidal pool: proposed no dogs allowed.
* Soetwater: status quo, no dogs allowed.
* Witsand: status quo, dogs free-running.
* Miller’s Point: status quo, no dogs allowed.
* Fisherman’s Beach: proposed change to no dogs.
* Frank’s Beach: proposed change to no dogs.
* Windmill Beach: proposed change from free-running to dogs on a lead.
* Burghers’ Walk: status quo, dogs on a lead.
* Water’s Edge Beach: proposed no dogs allowed.
* Seaforth Beach: proposed no dogs allowed.
* Long Beach, Simon’s Town: status quo, dogs free-running.
* Mackerel Beach: status quo, dogs free-running.
* Shelley’s Beach and tidal pool: status quo, no dogs allowed.
* Wooly’s Pool: status quo, no dogs allowed.
* Danger Beach: proposed change from free-running area for dogs to dogs on a lead.
* Sonwabe Beach: proposed dogs on a lead at all times.
* Strandfontein Beach: status quo, no dogs allowed.
* Nine Miles Beach: proposed dogs on a lead at all times.
* Blue Waters Resort: status quo, no dogs allowed.
* Beyond Blue Waters Resort: No free-running dogs.
Cape Argus