A MINISTERIAL response to a petition calling for changes to Jersey’s seasonal dog restrictions on beaches has been delayed until after the election, despite the campaign attracting more than 1,600 signatures.
Sarah Esteves, who created the petition to “amend restriction times for dogs on beaches” was informed that ministers are unable to respond within the usual 28-day timeframe because of restrictions in place during the election period.
A response will be issued once the new minister is appointed after the election, according to the States Assembly.
Ms Esteves’s petition argued that Jersey’s current seasonal rules are too restrictive after the peak summer season has ended.
Under existing regulations, dogs must be kept on a lead on all beaches between 10.30am and 6pm from 1 May to 30 September.
Ms Esteves questioned whether the rules should continue until the end of September, when schools have returned and tourist numbers are lower.
The petition proposed shortening the restriction period so that it would instead run from 30 May until 7 September, arguing that beaches are generally busiest between June and early September.
“This would ensure that dog owners have more weeks to let their dogs off the lead to enjoy the beaches and, for those energetic dogs, more freedom when off a lead – allowing plenty of exercise,” said Ms Esteves.
Ministers are required to respond to petitions which receive more than 1,000 signatures. The campaign passed that threshold earlier this week and has since continued to gather support, reaching more than 1,600 signatures at the time of writing.
The issue of dog access to beaches has repeatedly generated strong public debate in Jersey.
Last year, a petition calling for dedicated dog-friendly beaches attracted more than 1,100 signatures, while a similar campaign launched in 2019 gained more than 1,500 supporters.
