Legislation is now in place to crack down on dogs on certain beaches. This, following the passage of the Dogs Bill in Parliament on Thursday, 28th November 2024.

In tabling the Bill, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Saboto Caesar said the Bill provides for the care and control of dogs and related matters.

"There are some persons who own dogs and when they go to the beach, they would take the dog to the beach, and it is a nuisance.  We must bring a stop to this and in Clause Seven (7) Beach Prohibition, the Minister by order published in the Gazette will list some beaches where you can and cannot take dogs, No Dogs Allowed.  We are well aware, we are seeing a significant expansion in persons going to the beaches more, we have more Tourists in the country our room stock is going up and we have to be very, very careful."

Minister Caeasar outlined several other aspects of the Dogs Bill.

"A list of breeds are to be muzzled except if you have it in your vehicle or property. There are certain breeds that we are going to list which if you have these dogs in the public that they must be muzzled. Clause Nine (9) Offenses where a dog attacks a person or animal and there is an interesting defense here in Clause Nine (9). If the attack occured as a result of the dog been teased, abused, attacked or otherwise provoked that can be a defense."

SOURCE: National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC Radio)