FIGURES on declining levels of dog fouling have been published to support proposals to ban dogs from a popular Colwyn Bay and Rhos-on-Sea beach.

Conwy’s economy and place overview and scrutiny committee is set to debate the proposed Dog Control Public Space Protection Order at a meeting this evening (Tuesday).

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The final decision on the matter will be made by Conwy’s cabinet at a future meeting, but the proposed order has already caused huge controversy.

That’s because a permanent ‘dog exclusion’ zone has been put forward for the beach between Porth Eirias in Colwyn Bay and the small sandy beach at Rhos on Sea.

Conwy County Council, though, say the ban would help improve the quality of the environment and open spaces with enforcement measures to help ensure dog owners are responsible.

The Dog Control Public Space Protection Order was introduced in 2020 to help tackle irresponsible dog owners with exclusion zones and fines.

But now Conwy wants to add the Colwyn Bay and Rhos-on-Sea beach to the list of places where dogs are banned.

In a report published ahead of tomorrow’s meeting, figures show reports of dog fouling are declining.

According to the report, the council had 748 reports of dog fouling in 2018/19, 690 in 2019/20, 431 in 2020/21, 402 in 2021/22, and 289 in 2022/23.

Last month Conwy councillor Neil Coverley, who is himself an avid dogwalker, urged the council to rethink the proposals.

Cllr Coverley said the mental health, health, and social benefits far outweighed the irresponsibility of a small number of dog owners.

The Dog Control Public Space Protection Order makes it an offence to:

  • Fail to remove dog faeces immediately.
  • Fail to carry an appropriate means to pick up.
  • Permit a dog to enter land from which dogs are excluded year round; and
  • Permit a dog to enter land from which dogs are excluded seasonally
  • Not keep a dog on a lead in a designated area.
  • Not put, and keep, a dog on a lead when directed to do so by an authorised officer.

The matter will be discussed at the Bodlondeb meeting this week before a final decision is made by Conwy’s cabinet.