Ministry Reminds Dog Owners To Use A Leash

February 26, 2014

The Department of Parks, within the Ministry of Public Works, today reminded members of the public that it is illegal to have an unleashed dog on the beach.

Having an unleashed dog in any protected area is in contravention of Section 6 of the Bermuda National Parks Regulations 1998, which states:

No person shall, being the owner of, or in control of, a dog,

  • [a] subject to paragraph [b], bring such dog unleashed on to any protected area; or
  • [b] bring such dog on to any public beach in a protected area during the period from the 1st April to the 31st October in any year; or
  • [c] subject to paragraph [b], bring such dog on to any protected area using a leash greater than three metres in length; or
  • [d] cause, permit or suffer such dog to annoy or disturb any person in any protected area.

A “protected area” means any area of land or water or both land and water specified in the First or Second Schedule protected areas of the 1986 Bermuda National Parks Act.

A spokesperson for the Department of Parks said, “The general public, dog owners, and handlers are also advised that due to the sensitive ecosystem, dogs are not permitted within the Cooper’s Island Nature Reserve, known as the old NASA site. Signs are posted at the main gate stating this policy.

“The cooperation of dog owners and handlers with respect to these regulations and policy is greatly appreciated.”

For more information, please contact the Department of Parks at 236-5902 and request the Park Ranger Office.

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Category: All, Environment

Comments (11)

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  1. Cow Polly says:

    Such a shame dogs can’t speak out because I’m sure they’d march down Front Street about this injustice……… this prevents them from fetching a ball thrown out into the water, chasing birds a long the beach and generally socialising and getting lots of good exercise……… no alternative given just YOU WILL NOT ALLOW YOUR DOG TO RUN AND SNIFF AND PLAY

  2. nuffin but the truth says:

    I’d like to put a few ministers on a leash!

  3. Guy Carri says:

    These guys have no clue about dogs being off leash. Typically the dog owners who bother to take their dogs to the beach, know their dog and if it should be off leash or not. Hear all sorts of dogs getting out or their kennels, etc. injuring other dogs. When did that last happen on the beach??….
    Give us a dog park at least!!

    • Suzie Quattro says:

      Last year I had to rescue my terrified 7-year-old, who was playing on the beach, from an aggressive dog who ran straight at him, barking, growling, and snapping. The owner was completely incompetent and couldn’t give a rat’s ass that her dog, illegally off leash, was threatening a small child. The owners don’t “know their dog” or even care.
      The rules are to protect the environment for other people, not to make life easy for dog owners. If you don’t have yard space of your own for a dog, and if you can’t be bothered to use a leash, don’t own a dog.

  4. Come Correct says:

    Come Correct reminds party leaders to use a leash.

  5. RawOnion says:

    It a shame that pet owners need constant reminding of the the do’s and don’ts concerning their pets. Then they want to cry foul when they get caught out and then throw out the sympathy card. Now some comments cry about having their pets on a leash in public….come on, if you want your pet to run free then let it run free in your own yard under your supervision.

    Nothing irritates me more when someone’s unleashed dog runs up to me (playing or not) in a public space and the owner thinks its cute.

  6. JUNK YARD DOG says:

    Warning :- These comments are a little raunchy.

    Several people walk their Dogs in our Neighbor hood,No! No ! not theirs, The dogs do their business on the edge of the roads,the Botanical gardens and the Railway trail people.

    I have yet to see any dog owner pick up the fesses as they continue on walking on as if nothing has happened under the pretext that another dog did the dirty deed, la de dah de dar !

    *** It is a not my dog Noregard *** mind set.

    As you have no doubt surmised that this attracts vermin during the hot summer months, and where do vermin seek shelter most likely in the roof spaces above your ceilings where those rats destroy your electrical wiring.

    It gets worse people.

    How many of you have accidentally “put you foot in it”, or got it on you beach towel or in your car ? What really get me is after rain fall this stinking fesses is distributed every where for you to walk in, and you, un be knowingly bring it in to your living room.

    La de dah de dah !

    • nuffin but the truth says:

      JUNK YARD DOG how’s the rusted up busted up korean van working out for you.

  7. Kent Stewart says:

    What has happened to the off leash parks promised years ago?

  8. me says:

    I am glad they are reminding the public of this law. I gave up taking my dog to the beach as she wasn’t very dog friendly and some loose dog would run towards my dog on a leash and the owner screams from half way down the beach ” my dog is friendly”. Well mine isn’t and if my dog bites yours then it is my fault! Let’s all enjoy the beach together and understand this law.

  9. Raymond Ray says:

    Dogs are like children, if one can’t control them, then they need not have any…Many times we’ll see pets pulling people as oppose to the walker curbing the dog/s and this can be extremely dangerous for them that are approaching these dogs. I’ve experience on more than one occasion another dog attempting to attack my 2 dogs…If one need to own a dog then enroll them / it into a dog training class! it’s that simple. Dogs are like us they need to socialize and what better way for any dog to socialize?