Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council considers ‘safe zones’ on beaches

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council has been urged to bring in ‘safe zones’ on its beaches after four people were injured in a dog attack.

Dog owner Marie Hay is asking the council to restrict parts of its beaches to dogs on a lead “to make it safer”.

It comes after her six-and-a-half-year-old husky Naevia was attacked and significantly injured by two “bulldog type” dogs.

Hay told the BBC: “I am so terrified to take her back on the beach where there are other dogs roaming, so if they did something like that it would feel so much easier.

“This is the change we’re pushing for – it would feel like what’s happened to Naevia hasn’t been for nothing.”

Redcar’s Newcomen ward councillor, Carrie Richardson, told the BBC that many dog owners had contacted her asking the council to take action.

She said that following the introduction of public space protection orders (PSPOs) in some parks, which require dogs to be kept on leads, more dogs than ever were using the beach.

“I am not advocating a ban for the whole of the beach, I don’t believe that would be fair or proportionate, but a zone for some people, people are asking for it, so clearly there’s a desire for that,” Richardson told the BBC.

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council said no changes had been made to its current rules, which include a “no dog zone” on part of Redcar and Saltburn beaches over summer. However, it said it would be considering other measures, including areas where dogs must be kept on leads, “if it becomes necessary”.

A council spokesperson said: “The vast majority of dog owners respect the zones and simply enjoy taking their pets to other areas of the beaches.”