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A seasonal ban on walking dogs on UK beaches has now been lifted which means owners are now allowed to enjoy seaside trips with their pet once more.
More than 600 beaches across the UK will now be allowing dogs to visit at any time of the day.
The ban usually comes into effect from May until the end of September and means that dogs are either banned from beaches completely or only allowed on certain areas during the busiest times of the year.
In some areas of the UK, entry restrictions have been in place, which meant that dogs were not allowed on beaches during the busiest times of the day – which is often between 10am and 6pm. Other councils insist that dogs must remain on leads whilst on the beach.
Owners who breached the rules could have faced penalties of up to £1,000 for breaching the Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) restrictions. The rules aim to keep beaches as clean and safe as possible during the peak summer months when children and families could be visiting.
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These rules have been put in place to protect water quality, keep beaches safe, protect wildlife and maintain hygiene by reducing the risk of dog waste being left on beaches.
Whilst most seasonal restrictions have now been lifted, owners are still advised to check specific beach rules, as they can vary in different areas of the country.
The rules and restrictions do not apply to guide dogs, who are allowed to go on beaches at any time when working.
Will you be taking your dog to the beach? Let us know in the comments.