The Home has made a submission to protect people’s ability to walk their dogs along the UK coastline.

Battersea Dogs & Cats Home welcomes the Government’s recent statement to seek a fair balance between the public and landowners during the Marine and Coastal Access Bill debate in the House of Commons on 23 June 2009. 

The Bill seeks to make Britain’s coast available to all and the Home has made a submission to protect people’s ability to walk their dogs along the UK coastline.

Battersea Dogs & Cats Home rehomes dogs to many different locations and has a satellite site at Brands Hatch, close to the Kent coastline, so any restrictions on access to the coast could result in fewer members of the public coming forward to rehome some of the dogs that would benefit from out-of-town environments, and would limit areas available for responsible owners to exercise their dogs. 

There are strong environmental benefits to allowing dog owners access to the coast because it reduces the need to drive to more ‘dog friendly’ areas.  The proposed access also provides an opportunity for local authorities to embrace responsible dog ownership messages and publicise the benefits of dog walking in coastal areas locally, as well as to a wider audience.

The Home hopes that the rights of dog owners will be protected by this legislation and believes that the balanced approach proposed by the Government is the best way forward to protect the rights of both landowners and responsible dog owners.