For dog owners in Wrenhaven, October brings good news. The summer restrictions that keep dogs off the busiest beaches between May and September ended at the start of the month, and dogs are now allowed on seven of the city's nine beaches until the end of April. But the council and wildlife groups are reminding owners that a few rules still apply.
The main beach at Harbourside, the long sands at Greyling Bay and the small cove below Fenwick Point are all open to dogs off the lead throughout the winter. Shingle Cove is open, but dogs must be on a lead near the steps where the sea swimmers gather in the mornings. Netherby Sands is also open, although owners are asked to keep dogs away from the dunes, which are being restored.
Two beaches stay closed
Dogs remain banned all year from the eastern end of Saltings beach and from the mudflats at the mouth of the River Asher. Both areas are used by thousands of wading birds that arrive from the Arctic in autumn to feed. Ranger Callum Ferrier said that repeated disturbance forced the birds to fly off and waste energy they needed to survive the winter.
Most dogs do not mean any harm. They just see a flock of birds and run. To a curlew that has flown from Siberia, that matters.
The council's dog warden, Marisa Delahunt, said the vast majority of owners were responsible, but that complaints about dog mess on beaches had risen last winter. Free bag dispensers have been installed at all beach entrances, and fines of up to €150 apply for failing to clean up. Owners are also asked to keep dogs under close control near horses, which are often exercised on Greyling Bay sands in the early morning.
Several beach cafés have extended their winter opening hours and now welcome dogs inside. The Fenwick Point kiosk even offers a free biscuit to every four-legged customer, and its owner says winter has become her busiest season after summer.