(Updated 2018)

Dog owners have access to specified open spaces and stretches of Douglas beach after Douglas Borough Council’s revised dog control byelaws came into effect on April 1st 2018.

Provisions under the Douglas Dog Control Byelaws 2018 allow dogs to be exercised at all times on the beach between the steps opposite the Switzerland Road junction to opposite the Manx Electric Railway terminus at Derby Castle, provided they are not at large and the faeces is removed.  Owners are reminded, however, that between 10am and 5pm from May 1st to September 30th dogs are prohibited from the stretch of Douglas beach which extends from the Bottleneck car park to the steps opposite the steps opposite the Switzerland Road junction.

Environmental Services Committee Chair Councillor Ritchie McNicholl said: ‘We are proud of the diversity and quality of our open spaces – indeed only recently the Council was awarded eight Green Flags for the high standards Parks Services achieves – and we want those spaces to be enjoyed by everyone. The dog-owning community is in the main, extremely responsible – although regrettably there will always be an antisocial minority who fail to pick up after their dogs - and I am confident all owners with a sense of civic pride will welcome and abide by the extended access these byelaws provide.’