Dogs

Beaches are wonderful places to exercise dogs, but during popular times unruly or free running dogs can be a nuisance to other beach users.

There are many temptations for a dog on a busy beach. You must ensure that your dog is under close control at all times.

Where are restrictions in place?

It is an offence if a person in charge of a dog takes the dog onto, or permits the dog to enter or to remain, on any beach to which this Order applies.

Land to which this article applies includes all beaches including the seashore, foreshore and any slope or staircase leading on to the beaches at the locations noted below: 

• Bigbury Beach - between 1 May and 30 Sep between the hours of 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. inclusive in any 24-hour period
• Mouthwell Sands (Hope Cove) - between 1 May and 30 Sep between the hours of 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. inclusive in any 24-hour period
• Salcombe South Sands - Between 1 May and 30 September inclusive (24 hour ban) except during Ferry operating times when dogs are permitted to cross the Sands on a lead to embark and disembark to and from the Ferry.

Exemptions to the Order:

The following are exempt from the Public Space Protection Order:

• A person registered as blind in a register compiled under section 29 of the National Assistance Act 1948;
• A person who is deaf and who relies on a dog trained to be a Hearing Dog for the deaf;
• A person with a disability which affects their mobility, manual dexterity, physical coordination or ability to lift or who relies on an assistance dog trained by a prescribed charity.

What about Privately Owned Beaches?

For more information about other beaches in the South Hams, and their policies on dogs, please visit the South Devon AONB website.

Dog Exclusion Areas - Except Beaches

There are certain areas throughout the district where it is not permitted to take dogs at any time.

Under the Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014; Public Spaces Protection Order 2017 - Control of Dogs, there are certain areas in the district where it is not permitted to take dogs at any time.

It is an offence if a person in charge of a dog takes the dog onto, or permits the dog to enter or to remain, on any land to which this Order applies.

This article applies to all land within the Council's administrative area comprising:

• Any fenced, hedged or walled children's play area
• Any fenced, hedged or walled bowling green
• Any fenced, hedged or walled tennis court
• Any fenced, hedged or walled skateboard or BMX park
• Any fenced, hedged or walled putting green
• Any sporting or recreational facility pitch when sport is in play
• Any other beaches (in addition to those listed above) that the Authority may wish to include in this Order from time to time.

Exemptions to the Order:

The following are exempt from this order:

• A person registered as blind in a register compiled under section 29 of the National Assistance Act 1948;
• A person who is deaf and who relies on a dog trained to be a Hearing Dog for the deaf;
• A person with a disability which affects their mobility, manual dexterity, physical coordination or ability to lift or who relies on an assistance dog trained by a prescribed charity;
• A person who is in charge of a dog for the time being employed for purposes in relation to agriculture, hunting, pest control, the police or rescue services.