Why dogs are being given freedom to roam on capital's beach

Dogs are set to be given the freedom of the shoreline in the Isle of Man's capital for the next year.

Under a 12-month trial, seasonal restrictions in place on walking dogs on Douglas Beach will be lifted.

Douglas Council said the change was on the proviso that owners picked up after their pets and remained in control of them at all times.

Under the trial, Douglas dog walkers can access the beach all year round – at any time of day – with their pets.

Restrictions had been in place on the southern stretch of the beach, banning the exercising of dogs between 10:00 BST and 17:00 from 1 May to 30 September each year.

Similar daytime restrictions remain in place on sections of the shore in Peel, Port Erin and Port St Mary.

Many other local authorities also only allow dogs on beaches in their areas if kept on a lead.

As well as relaxing the rules on the beach, the council has decided to create one dog-friendly park in the capital.

In Glen Falcon Park, which is located off Broadway and Derby Road, dogs are now allowed to be exercised off the lead – as long as they remain under the control of their owner.

However, a ban on the pets remains in place in Derby Square, Hilary Park, Hutchinson Square, Olympia, Woodbourne Square and the former lower pitch area within Noble's Park.

The previous restrictions for the city were brought into force under the Douglas Dog Control Byelaws 2018, which expire in March 2028.

The council said it wanted to trial these changes ahead of new laws being drafted to allow time for any effects to be monitored.

The local authority is also calling for people in the area to share their views on the changes ahead of that process.

Chair of the council's regeneration and community committee, Natalie Byron-Teare, said the trial was a "great opportunity" to see what worked best in the capital as long as people did not "abuse" the situation.

"These parks and the beach are used a lot by lots of different groups," she said.

"We use the space for leisure, so it's important that we're not seeing a lot of dog mess and we need responsible ownership.

"If that goes well, who knows what we can open up in the future."

Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, some Douglas residents expressed their support for the trial.

One said it was important to have at least one beach in each area where they could take their dog, while another said as long as there was a stretch of shoreline available all year round that would be "enough really".

However, another warned that it was the minority who did not follow the rules that could prove problematic during the trial.

"I agree, all dogs should be allowed on the beach, but the problem you've got is irresponsible owners who won't clean up after them and the few that don't do it tar everybody else," they added.

Additional reporting by the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

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