A delay in Covid-19 related signage arriving has meant that environmental officers tasked with enforcement of the dog beach ban across many of Pembrokeshire’s beaches have been unable to monitor the sands.

With the dog beach ban effectively coming into force on May 1, the county council had announced that they would not be actively enforcing the ban during the Covid-19 ‘lockdown’ period, given the practical issues involved in carrying out enforcement activity and the concerns this would raise.

The authority stated last month though, that with travel restrictions easing across Wales, as part of their commitment to keep the county looking clean and beautiful, District Enforcement Officers would recommence duties on July 13; and also be operating this summer to ensure that by-laws are being followed, by enforcing the beach ban for dogs which runs until September 30.

However, there have been many reports on social media in recent weeks of dog owners not adhering to the ban on lots of Pembrokeshire’s beaches, including - Amroth, and parts of Tenby and Saundersfoot.

A fixed penalty notice of £75 can be issued for dogs in restricted areas on beaches – other than Guide dogs.

DE officers are tasked with patrolling open spaces which the public have access to – including streets and parks - and anyone seen littering or failing to pick up after their dog will be issued with a fixed penalty notice of £150 (reduced to £75 if paid within 10 days).

A spokesperson for the county council said: “Until now it has not been possible for them (District Enforcement Officers) to monitor beaches due to a delay with the signage required to make people aware of their presence, as a result of working restrictions linked to Covid-19.

“The DE officers have therefore been carrying out their usual role patrolling public spaces. However, the signage will be ready shortly and then officers will be able to carry out patrols of beaches as well to make sure dog bans are being complied with.

“We stated that DE officers would include beach patrols as part of their work to crack down on environmental offences - although their primary role is to patrol public spaces across the County to tackle offences such as littering or dog fouling and issue fixed penalty notices where necessary.”

The county council’s ‘visitor welcome teams’ have been seen recently providing advice to the public regarding beaches that are suitable for dog owners, as part of their duties.

Although dogs are welcome on more than 50 of Pembrokeshire’s beaches in the summer, from May 1 to September 30 some of the more popular bathing beaches have dog restricted areas (this includes Poppit, Newgale, Broad Haven North, Dale, Lydstep, Tenby South, Saundersfoot and Amroth).

On two beaches, Whitesands and Tenby North to include Harbour Beach, the restriction covers the whole of the beach. The beach at Coppet Hall has a voluntary dog restriction. Guide dogs are welcome on Pembrokeshire’s beaches all year round.

There are notice boards on all of the dog restricted beaches above, with full details of the by-laws and maps of the restricted areas.