A DORSET dog owner who thinks the five-month ban on some beaches is ‘excessive’ has started a petition to get dogs back sooner.

The current rule restricts dog access to blue flag Dorset beaches from May 1 to September 30 each year.

(Image: Nicky Crowe)

Now, a petition has been created to allow dogs on blue flag beaches across Dorset on September 1 instead of October 1.

The petition has collected more than 1,000 signatures.

Nicky Crowe, founder of Dorset Dogs and Merlin’s Pet Food Bank, said: “From May 1 to September 30, dogs are not allowed on any of BCP’s Blue Flag or Seaside Award beaches and dogs must be kept on the lead on all promenades, piers, zig zags and footpaths at all times.

"But once the school summer holidays are over, the beaches are mainly empty. The contrast is massive and no longer crowded with people enjoying the summer holidays, so why can we not allow dogs on the beach from 1st September? 

"The current five-month ban is excessive.  During the banned months, we are crammed onto small sections of beach, which means many owners just avoid it.

“Many dogs love the water and the sand, and their owners love walking on the beach.

“Opening the beaches from September 1 would help ease the pressures on dog owners to fulfil the basic needs of their dogs.

“It's frustrating to be stuck on the promenade when the beaches are practically empty.

“Not to mention, the fact that dog owners will pay for parking and support local cafes and food vendors – a welcome boost given the decline in holidaymakers."

(Image: Nicky Crowe)

Nicky added: "We are asking for a Dorset-wide revision to beach access rules, allowing dog owners to enjoy the beaches when they are quieter and less populated by tourists and are working with Weymouth and Lyme Regis members of the Dogs Friendly Dorset Facebook group who are campaigning to change the rules.

"The petition calls for a fairer balance between beach access for dog owners and the seasonal use of the area, hopefully, to start a conversation with BCP and Dorset Councils to adapt its rules to reflect the quieter months on the coast.

“With 1000 signatures in under 48 hours without promotion, we hope to impress that the local dog-owning community deserves as much consideration as the tourists and holidaymakers do in the summer months.”

Signatures for the petition can be done via Change.Org in a petition titled: Allow dogs on beaches from 1st September instead of 1st October.

For more information, visit https://dorsetdogs.com.