Southend beach dog ban 'outdated'

Rules banning dogs from Southend's beaches during the summer months have been branded "outdated".

Lee Clark said dogs were part of people's families and should be able to enjoy a trip to the seaside.

Rules imposed by Southend-on-Sea City Council only grant canine pets access between 1 October and 30 April.

Those caught flouting the ban, which does not apply to assistance dogs, would be fined under the legislation, the council said.

Similar bans are also in place elsewhere in Essex on parts of beaches in Clacton, Frinton, Dovercourt and Canvey Island.

Mr Clark said he was inspired to call for change after a trip to Great Yarmouth, in Norfolk, where his dogs were "welcome" in a variety of places.

"More and more people are welcoming dogs because they realise they are part of the family now and I just can't get my head around why Southend doesn't allow dogs on the beaches during the summer months," he said.

Mr Clark said he would not want all of the city's beaches to be open to dogs throughout summer and that they should be on leads when on the sands.

However, one dog walker told the BBC she feared many people found dogs to be "daunting".

"If you're sitting on a beach and a dog comes running up to you, it's frightening," she said.

A public consultation in November 2020 saw 58% of people living in Southend support a dedicated area for dogs.

It came during a proposal made to the council's cabinet to allow dogs on Shoebury's East Beach and on Two Tree Island in Leigh all year round.

Following further consultation, the rules were not lifted.

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