Soon it’ll be no dogs life on the beach as restrictions on pets are introduced

Summer bans on taking our canine friends to some of our favourite seaside spots are due to begin. Sonia Sharma reports

IF you’re a dog owner, you only have a couple of weeks left to enjoy some of the North East’s top beaches with your pet. Summer dog beach bans are set to begin in most areas from May 1. From then until September 30, no dogs will be allowed onto the beaches except for guide dogs for the blind. Some of the bans are only partial, with areas available on which pooches are allowed. The exclusion zones will have clear signs informing you where you must not take your pet. Councils use different powers to enforce the law, and breaking the rules could lead to fines and even prosecution. Here is our list of beaches where dogs will be banned or partly banned from next month.

NORTH TYNESIDE

Whitley Bay (south): Dogs can be walked on the section of Whitley Bay beach north of Panama Gardens Cullercoats Bay: Banned King Edward’s Bay: Banned Tynemouth Longsands (south): Here, dogs can be taken to the northern end of Tynemouth Longsands, towards Cullercoats.

NORTHUMBERLAND

Newbiggin: Dogs are not allowed in the section of beach at Newbiggin-by-the-Sea from the breakwater at Church Point to the beach access from the promenade at Sidney Crescent Blyth: The dog exclusion area runs from the beach access at Beachway to the beach access at the southern end of the Links Road car park.

SOUTH TYNESIDE

Sandhaven Beach: Dogs are not allowed from May to September between the hours of 8am and 6pm. They are however allowed on Littlehaven Beach and Marsden Beach throughout the year.

SUNDERLAND

Both Roker and Seaburn beaches have dog exclusion zones in the summer. These zones can be seen online at www.sunderland.gov.uk/dog-control