More dog-friendly beaches identified

A further five beaches across Malta and Gozo have been officially identified as being dog-friendly by government, according to the Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture, Fisheries and Animal Rights, Roderick Galdes.

Announcing the news at Rinella Bay in Kalkara - one of the beaches newly recognised as such - Galdes said that the beaches were chosen after consultation with local councils as well as the health department.

The beaches are Torri l-Abjad in Mellieha, il-Bajja ta' l-Imgiebah in Selmun, Zonqor Point in Marsascala and Mgarr ix-Xini in Gozo.

Daħlet ix-Xmajjar at l-Aħrax tal-Mellieħa, Baħar ic-Ċagħaq behind the Splash and Fun, Tigne Point in Sliema, Marsaxlokk at Xatt is-Sajjieda and the Żebbuġ bay in Gozo are also dog-friendly bays.

“Last year, as part of its electoral manifesto, government set out to identify areas suitable for people to bring their pets to swim,” Galdes said. “This has so far been a success and we are now in a position to identify even more areas.”

Pet owners are required to keep their pets on a leash when not in the sea and must carry  waste bags with them. Failing this, fines will be handed out. with monitoring set to be carried out by local council officials and others from the Department of Health and the Animal Welfare Directorate.

“The ultimate obligation is for people to act responsibly, with a civic conscience, to keep the place clean,” Galdes said.