South Hams District Council has issued advice for dog owners heading to the coast with their pets this half-term to make sure it’s beach-time bliss for everyone.

With the weather stunning do far, beaches are expected to be a popular choice with families and dog walkers alike. If you’re planning to take your dog to the coast, these are the council-run beaches where dogs are welcome at all times:

Slapton Sands

Salcombe North

Sections of Sugary Cove

Bovisand

Beesands

For those people who prefer a dog-free space on a beach, there are also some timed dog restrictions in place on specified beaches managed by the council.

These are:

Mouthwell Sands at Hope Cove between May 1 and September 30 inclusive between the hours of 10am and 7pm in any 24-hour period.

South Sands, Salcombe between May 1 and September 30 inclusive (24-hour ban) except during ferry operating times when dogs are permitted to cross the Sands on a lead to embark and disembark to and from the ferry.

Part of Bigbury Beach between May 1 and September 30 inclusive between the hours of 10am and 7pm in any 24-hour period.

Dogs are welcome on these beaches above outside of these specified times.

South Hams District Council’s executive member for environmental health and licensing, Cllr Jonathan Hawkins, said: “Our glorious beaches in the South Hams offer lots of fun for all ages, including the family dog. We know how much fun many dogs have chasing a ball along the sand or splashing in the waves. We also know that this beach fun is equally enjoyed by many other people including smaller children.

"During busy times, a minority of dogs can sometimes cause a nuisance on the beach – we’ve probably all witnessed dogs helping themselves to someone else’s sandwiches or grabbing a child’s ball during a game of beach cricket.

“To make sure our beaches are a fun and safe space for everyone to enjoy, please remember there are many temptations for dogs on the average beach. That means it’s best to keep dogs under close control or choose a spot to play away from others. Picking up after your dog is also essential for the health of people and other dogs. If you’re on a beach with a dog you must carry the means to pick up their poo.

“Please dispose of your dog-poo bags in the bins provided. At busy times in our beach hot-spots these bins can sometimes fill quickly. If the bin is full, please take your bags home to dispose of them properly rather than piling them on top or on the side as clearing this up is a hazardous job for our team. You can also report full dog-poo bins using our website https://southhams.gov.uk/report

“As a responsible dog owner, I would please ask everyone to be sensible and think of others. This way, everyone can enjoy a relaxing time at our stunning South Hams beaches.”

If you would like any further information on these beach restrictions including maps, please visit https://southhams.gov.uk/dogs-on-beaches

For more information on which privately managed beaches in the South Hams welcome dogs or have restrictions, take a look at www.southdevonaonb.org.uk/beaches-faqs/