Dog Walking Code

• To avoid disturbing birds, walk your dog towards the back of the shore and try to avoid the feeding birds along the tide line, or at times around high tide (when the beach area is smaller)
• Keep away from known bird roosts and take note of any signs requesting your co-operation in these areas
• Do not allow your dog to chase birds on the beach as this stops them from feeding and roosting
• Keep your dog on a lead when:
  • near feeding or roosting birds;
  • on shingle from April to July inclusive because of ground-nesting breeding birds;
  • in areas used by other recreational activities, as boisterous dogs can scare both birds and people.
• Please clean up after your dog to keep the beach safe and clean for other users.

It is illegal not to clean up in every public place in Thanet. This is rigorously enforced with fixed penalty notices of £100, (less for early payment), and dog owners can be prosecuted and fined up to £1,000. Over 100 people have fallen ‘foul’ of the law, so please clean up!

• Follow the local Dog Controls (PSPOs)

Dogs are banned from some of Thanet’s beaches during the summer. Please obey the signs on the beaches or check the details at Thanet Tourism or local authority website. The maximum penalty for failing to obey the Dog Control Order is £1000. For further information see: Thanet Council’s Dog PSPOs & advice on Thanet beaches; or our advisory page on Dogs on the Thanet Coast.