Whilst spring and summer’s warm weather is an excuse for many to take their furry friends on a trek along the beach, six enforce the ban until the autumn.
As soon as October 1 hits, however, dogs are free to roam on Whitmore Bay, Dunraven Bay, Cwm Colhuw, Penarth beach (between the Pier and the Yacht Club), Penarth Pier (on the decking), and the Cold Knap.
Arguably one of the most popular of these areas for dog owners to venture to once autumn arrives is Whitmore Bay.
We at the Barry and District ventured down to Barry Island to see some of the furry friends making the most of the sea and sand once again.
From the moment dawn hits, owners from across the country will bring their dogs to Barry with the simple aim of letting them run loose and make the most of the wide-open sands.
Some owners walking along the beach with their pets on the first day of the ban’s lifting were from as far away as Blaina and the Forest of Dean and make the pilgrimage to this stretch of seafront “every single year.”
Other dog owners said they “always” made the effort to come down.
One dog owner told the Barry and District that they believed the ban being lifted “is good for businesses” on the Island as it encourages people to visit with their dogs, as “the place is dead in September.”
Dogs from all walks of life could be seen enjoying Whitmore Bay at once, with retired guide dog Cooper amongst those wearing a smile just a week before he went to his permanent home after being fostered.
For active guide dog Helios on the other side of the beach, her owners said they enjoyed bringing her to the beach as soon as the ban was lifted as “she’s free” and not working.
They said: “She can smell the sea as soon as we park and she will drag us down.
“We live in the countryside, so this is great. It means that we don’t have to go down the incline into Jackson’s Bay.”
Dogs are able to visit beaches across the Vale now until May 1, when the ban comes back into effect at a select few coastal spots.
