The topic of dogs on Cape Town beaches has been a hot one for many years now. Those who are for beaches being dog-friendly environments have been at loggerheads with those who believe that dogs have a negative impact on the city’s beaches.
Our city has a number of dog-friendly beaches, but a proposal from Community Services and Special Projects could soon be changing this. Residents are encouraged to participate in this discussion with the city so a solution can be achieved.
In the past there have been a handful of unfortunate incidents involving dogs and Cape beaches, and it is a pity that these isolated attacks have thrown shade on the topic of dogs and beaches. I, for one, am all for letting (well-behaved) dogs roam free on our beaches, but a middle ground needs to be reached to take everybody into consideration.
As reported by Traveller24, these are the proposed changes:
Kommetjie – proposed change at Long Beach, Kommetjie from free-running to no dogs
Soetwater – status quo, no dogs allowed
Witsand – status quo, dogs free-running
Misty Cliffs – minor change, no dogs allowed except on a leash before 9 am and after 6 pm
Millers 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 leash
Burghers’ Walk – status quo, dogs on a leash
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
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 leash 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 (dogs on leash between 9 am and 6 pm)
Wooly’s Pool – status quo, no dogs allowed
Kalk Bay Tidal Pools – status quo, no dogs allowed
Dalebrook Beach and tidal pool – proposed no dogs allowed
Danger Beach – proposed change from free-running area for dogs to dogs on a leash
St James Beach and tidal pool – status quo, no dogs allowed
Muizenberg Beach including Surfer’s Corner – status quo, dogs on a leash December to March before 9 am and after 6 pm. Dogs on a leash April – November
Sunrise Beach – status quo, dogs allowed
Sonwabe Beach – proposed dogs on a leash at all times
Strandfontein Beach – status quo, no dogs allowed
Nine Miles Beach – proposed dogs on a leash with horses at all times
Blue Waters Resort – status quo, no dogs allowed
Beyond Blue Waters Resort – Dogs free-running at all times
If you have any constructive input for the city about this matter, today is the D-Day for having your say. Emails can be sent to Helen Jordaan, Professional Officer: Beach Amenities Coordination Sport, Recreation and Amenities Department City of Cape Town ([email protected]).
Photography HSMimages/Juliette Bisset and Traveller24
