DOGS will finally be able to run free along the sand and swim in the sea now that five beaches island wide have been declared dog beaches, following a recent decision by the Cyprus Tourism Organisation’s (CTO) beaches committee to finally implement the law.
“The delay was because a lot of local authorities wouldn’t allow it,” said one of the beach committee members, Glafcos Kariolou.
A law was passed in 2003 mandating that each coastal area should have a special strip of coast for dogs but Cyprus has fallen way behind in implementing it because of opposition from local authorities.
The areas designated as dog beaches are the Louma area in Famagusta, Softades in Larnaca, Tsierkezou in Limassol, Ahelia in Paphos and Mansoura in Kato Pyrgos.
There was already one designated area in Ayia Napa that was opened up in August 2008 on the municipality’s own initiative. This stretch of beach is the aforementioned “Louma” and has been retained as one of the designated areas. It is located opposite the Waterworld water park in Ayia Thekla.
However, according to Kariolou the beaches have an expiry date of up until January 1, 2014, just in case they do not do well. “If some owners do not abide by the rules they’ll close and if some communities react badly the beaches designated will have to be changed,” he said.
The status of the beaches will be reviewed in December 2013 when an extension will be issued if the project has been successful.
Each beach will have a parking area, bins for dog waste, toilets for dog owners as well as clear sign posting as to where the beach begins and ends. Future plans for the beaches include kiosks and an opportunity to sign up to become a member so only members will be able to use the beach.
However, with the freedom to roam come rules that owners must obey such as picking up their dog’s waste and putting it in the specially provided dustbins. If they do not they can be banned for 720 days. Owners are expected to carry their own equipment to clean up after their dog.
For one Nicosia dog owner, the news was welcome if long overdue. “It’s ridiculous it has taken so long to fully implement this law,” said Maria Nicolaides. “But I can hardly wait to try out one of these beaches with my family and our dog.”
The Greens also congratulated the decision made by the beaches committee to finally implement the law considering it their own achievement too as they also proposed the idea.
