Blue Flag Beach Rules concerning Dogs, Horses and other Domestic animals.

1. National laws concerning dogs, horses, and other domestic animals must be strictly enforced on the beach. Their access and activities must under all circumstances be controlled (i) Dogs must be kept on a lead or under close control on all adjoining or abutting areas throughout the bathing season. National laws concerning dogs, horses and other domestic animals must be strictly enforced and their access and activities must, under all circumstances, be controlled. Dog-owners should be demanded to remove droppings. Dog refuse bins should be provided. It is recommended that an area be provided for the public to exercise dogs and this should be clearly delineated. In areas with local byelaws or national legislation prohibiting the entrance of dogs on a Blue Flag beach in certain periods, this legislation must be followed.

Rules relating to certain breeds of dog

The Control of Dogs (Restriction of Certain Dogs) Regulations, 1991 impose additional rules in relation to the following breeds (and strains/cross-breeds) of dog in Ireland:

• American Pit Bull Terrier
• English Bull Terrier
• Staffordshire Bull Terrier
• Bull Mastiff
• Dobermann Pinscher
• German Shepherd (Alsatian)
• Rhodesian Ridgeback
• Rottweiler
• Japanese Akita
• Japanese Tosa
• Bandog

The rules state that:

• These dogs (or strains and crosses of them) must be kept on a short strong lead by a person over 16 years who is capable of controlling them
• These dogs (or strains and crosses of them) must be muzzled whenever they are in a public place
• These dogs (or strains and crosses of them) must wear a collar bearing the name and address of their owner at all times.

The rules on muzzling and leashing do not apply to dogs used by the Gardai, the Dublin Harbour Police, State Airport Police and bona fide rescue teams in rescue operations. The rules on muzzling do not apply to guide dogs for the blind.

The owner of this German Sheppard ignores the fact that small Children use this beach in Derrynane, while other owners ignore droppings left by their dogs.

This type of Dog should be on a lead at all times in a Public place, especially as it is clasified as in the "Restrictions of certain dogs" by Law Makers in Ireland