DOG owners won’t be able to take their four-legged friends to some beaches for almost five months from Monday.

Annual restrictions will come in place on some beaches across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole between May 1 and September 30.

BCP Council said all Blue Flag or Seaside Award-winning beaches are out of bounds during this time and dogs must be kept on the lead on all promenades, piers, zig zags and footpaths.

There are currently 12 Blue Flag beaches in the area. These are:

Bournemouth

  • Alum Chine
  • Durley Chine 
  • Fisherman’s Walk 
  • Manor Steps 
  • Southbourne

Poole

  • Sandbanks
  • Shore Road
  • Canford Cliffs
  • Branksome Chine

Christchurch

  • Avon Beach
  • Highcliffe
  • Friars Cliff

All the above beaches have also received Seaside Awards from Keep Britain Tidy. Beaches at Bournemouth and Boscombe have also won this award.  

Dogs are allowed on all beaches from October 1 to April 30. 

At all times you must clean up after your dog.  Failure to comply risks a fine of up to £1000. 

There are some beaches people can walk their dogs all year round. These are:

Bournemouth

  • Alum Chine beach office to Branksome Chine beach office
  • Middle Chine to Durley Chine
  • East of Fisherman’s Walk beach to Southbourne
  • Hengistbury Head

Christchurch

  • Mudeford Sandbank 
  • Gundimore Beach  
  • Friars Cliff Beach (only between the wave wall and Groyne H4 at Highcliffe Beach) 
  • Highcliffe Beach (no dogs between groynes H4 and H8 from 1 May to 30 September). 

Poole

  • Eastern side of Branksome Chine beach office to Alum Chine Beach Office, Bournemouth 
  • Western end of Sandbanks beach to Haven Point by the chain ferry 
  • Hamworthy beach

Guide dogs are allowed on all beaches all year round but only when working, in a harness and controlled by a lead.