A seasonal ban of dogs being allowed on certain parts of Whitby beach comes into force from the beginning of next month.
From May 1 to September 30, dogs are not allowed on Whitby’s West Cliff beach from the West Pier to the end of the beach huts, and from the steps at Sandsend to the slipway next to the car park.
The restrictions – which also apply to parts of Scarborough, Filey and Bridlington – have been in place for years through Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs).
It was decided to go-ahead with the ban for 2026 following a public consultation last year where, despite a division in opinion, the majority of respondents were in favour of the dog restrictions.
Dog walkers at the beach this weekend also had mixed views on the dog ban.
Jeanette and Ian Carney, of Redcar said: “If you weren’t a dog owner and you had kids which were nervous of dogs, you would want to relax wouldn’t you?
“We have come from Redcar and sometimes there is hardly anybody on the beach there. It would be nice if you could go on before 9am and after 6pm for people who use them daily and it is part of their routine.
“That is fair to everybody. There are people who walk their dogs on the beach and are local, you can’t ignore them for tourists.”
Some dog owners were happy to comply with the ban.
Nick and Helen Hodgson, out walking Springer Spaniel Daisy, said: “It is fine, there is lots of beach to go on where they are not banned. It means toddlers and children can play and we are fine with that.”
Kate Evans, with working Cocker Spaniel, Godfrey, added: “Because there is part of the beach where you can still go, it is absolutely fine. I totally understand it from both sides and it gives people options.”
A couple of walkers who used to have a dog thought the ban was necessary because of irresponsible owners.
They added: “The ban is a good idea because of children. I am not against dogs, it is dog fouling and not everybody picks up. If they did, it wouldn’t be a problem and that is the factor, nothing else.”
North Yorkshire Council carried out a consultation between February 3 and March 15, 2025 with 1,000 respondents on dog control in public places.
It found 36 per cent supported the seasonal ban, 21 per cent were against it, 16 per cent wanted the exclusion area to be reduced and ten per cent said the seasonal exclusion was too short.
The results, 63 per cent supporting seasonal exclusions and 37 per cent against were carried forward.
The survey also asked for further comments with suggestions ranging from extending the ban from April to October, restricting the hours from 10am to 6pm, designating some beaches as dog free all year round and stricter, more proactive enforcement.
The former Scarborough Borough Council had a PSPO for dog control since 2018 and is the only borough or district council to have had one. Restrictions elsewhere in North Yorkshire are covered with byelaws and other legislation, which a council document says “will be reviewed by the Council in due course.”
A council spokesperson added: “Dog controls are important for residents, businesses and for the visitor economy. The objective is to ensure restrictions are fair and proportionate and support responsible dog
ownership.”