JERSEY’S summer rules for dogs on beaches could change after more than 1,800 people signed a petition asking for the restrictions to be relaxed.
At the moment, dogs must be kept on a lead on all Jersey beaches between 10.30am and 6pm from 1 May until 30 September.
The petition says these dates last longer than they need to because the busiest summer weeks have usually finished by the end of September.
The petition was started by Sarah Esteves. She said the rules should match the school summer holidays more closely.
She suggested changing the dates so the restrictions would run from 30 May until 7 September instead. She believes beaches are usually busiest between June and early September.
Economic Development Minister Gerald Voisin has accepted the petition. That does not mean the rules will change straight away, but it does mean the idea will now move to the next stage.
Government officials will prepare changes to the law, and politicians in the States Assembly – which makes decisions about how the Island is run – will debate whether the new rules should be approved.
If politicians agree, next year’s dog restrictions would start later and finish earlier, making them line up more closely with the school holidays.
Before any decision is made, the impact on everyone who uses Jersey’s beaches will also be considered.
Deputy Voisin also said that wider changes to Jersey’s dog laws are being looked at by Planning Minister Sir Mark Boleat.
He said he will work with the minister and the Constables’ Committee – a group of all the heads of the parishes – to update the legislation.
