Coastal counties, including Waterford, run the risk of losing the Blue Flag status of their beaches, if rules around dogs are not kept, An Taisce has advised.
Under current laws, all dogs apart from assistance dogs are banned from Ireland's 93 Blue Flag beaches during times when the flag is flying. This period coincides with bathing season from June 1st to September 15th.
Waterford currently has five Blue Flag beaches; Clonea, Counsellors' Strand in Dunmore East, Dunmore Strand, Tramore Beach and Ardmore Beach.
The rules around Blue Flags are laid out by the International Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE).
An Taisce, which operates the Blue Flag programme, has advised local authorities that they must meet the rules if they are to retain the flags.
According to the Irish Times, An Taisce has contacted local authorities advising them to ensure they meet the FEE criteria, which state: “Dogs or pets, other than assistance dogs, are not allowed on a blue-flag beach or in the blue-flag area if it is part of a larger beach.”
It's understood that part of the criteria for banning dogs from Blue Flag beaches centres around keeping them separate from bathers, to reduce the risk of faecal contamination.
In addition to rules surrounding Blue Flag beaches, Waterford has its own bylaws, which state that dogs are not permitted within designated areas of the county's beaches between the hours of 11.00 a.m. and 7.00 p.m. during the months of June, July and August. More here.
