All year dog ban on town's beach

DOGS will be banned from Weston beach from April 11. North Somerset Council's executive committee has voted to keep animals off the beach between Royals Sands and the Grand Pier amid fears that children might be exposed to harmful diseases found in dog faeces. An all-year-round ban will also be introduced around the Marine Lake as part of the council's decision to make the whole of North Somerset a poop scoop zone. New dog control orders will be handed down to pet owners who fail to remove faeces, keep their animal on a lead or allow it to enter land from which dogs are banned. From April 1, up to 30 council officers will be able to issue fixed penalty notices of up to £75 on owners who flout the ban.The decision to impose the new rules was taken at a meeting on Tuesday despite some councillors raising concerns that it would be unfair to dog walkers, especially out of season. Former member of Weston Town Council's dog bin working party, councillor Roz Willis, said: "The beach is well used in the winter as it is an ideal place for owners to allow their dogs off the leash."Executive member for the environment and community, councillor Deborah Yamanaka, said: "It is a pity but they will have to find other areas in which to walk. "We must not forget the aim which is to protect children in the summer.