Councillors in a popular Sussex coastal town have asked beach goers to be on the lookout for rule breakers.
Dog walkers have been warned they could face £1,000 fines if they take more than six pets out at one time in a popular seaside town.
Hastings Borough Council has updated its control rules after a number of dog-related incidents.
Under new rules all dogs must be on a lead along the whole seafront promenade, and no more than six dogs can be taken out by one person at any time – and all dog fouling across the borough must be picked up and put in a bin.
Councillors in the popular Sussex coastal town have asked beach goers to be on the lookout for rule breakers.
Councillor Glenn Haffenden said: ‘While we know that most dog owners are responsible, there have been a number of dog-related incidents recently.
‘These restrictions will help keep residents and visitors safe. I am glad that the PSPO will mean that anyone who allows a dog to foul and does not pick it up could be fined as I know this is something residents are concerned about.’
The new rules apply to beaches and in parks and green spaces in Hastings and St Leonards.
Councillor Haffenden said: ‘These updated restrictions mean it will be clear for dog owners to know where they can have their dogs off the lead.’
There are two total dog exclusion areas on the beach over the summer, excluding the animals from April 1 and September 30.
Dogs are allowed on the beach either on or off-lead at any time on the beach from the west of Hastings Pier to the west end of Bottle Alley and from opposite the Royal Victoria Hotel until the border with Rother where their restrictions take over.
There are also restrictions in parks and green spaces across the borough, with dogs not allowed in any of the water features including ponds in Alexandra Park or St Leonards Gardens.
Dogs are also not allowed in children’s play areas, multi-use games areas, skate parks, tennis courts or bowls greens. They must be on leads at specified times in the parks – please check signage within the parks to confirm the details.
New signage is being installed along the seafront, in the parks and green spaces, and across the borough to let people know about the restrictions.
Anyone in breach of the new restrictions could be given an on the spot fine of up to £100 or prosecuted in court with a fine of up to £1,000.
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