After hours best time for dogs' beach walks

Planning to take your dog to the beach this weekend?

Be sure to check whether summertime restrictions apply, limiting times when our canine pals can visit popular swimming beaches in Christchurch and Banks Peninsula.

From 9am till 7pm dogs are prohibited on parts of some beaches unless their owners are passing through and keep their dog on a short leash.

“It means people can go to the beach to swim and play with the kids without having to worry about lots of dogs running around,” says Christchurch City Council Animal Services Manager Lionel Bridger.

“Fortunately we’re blessed with a big coastline so there are many other sections of beach where owners can let their dogs run freely during the day, though they should be under effective voice control.

“Just remember to use good etiquette when your dog is off leash. When you see other dogs that are on a lead, don’t allow your dog to approach them as they may not like other dogs or they may be in training.

“Consider the safety of your dog and other dogs and their owners,” says Mr Bridger.

The day-time ban applies to Sumner beach where dogs are prohibited for a distance of 100 metres north of the Sumner Surf Lifesaving Club’s pavilion through to Cave Rock.

At Taylors Mistake beach dogs are prohibited for a distance of 50 metres either side of the surf lifesaving club’s pavilion.

At New Brighton Beach dogs are prohibited for a distance of 100 metres in a northerly direction of the surf lifesaving club’s pavilion to a point 100m south of the pier. 

At Spencer Park, Waimairi, North and South New Brighton beaches dogs are prohibited for a distance of 100 metres either side of the surf life saving clubs' pavilions. 

On Banks Peninsula the beaches where the day-time ban applies include Cass Bay, Corsair Bay, Sandy Bay, Paradise Bay, Hays Bay, Diamond Harbour, Purau, Akaroa, French Farm, Le Bon’s Bay, Little Akaloa, Okain’s Bay, Port Levy and Tikao Bay.