Confusing doggy beach signs are now making more sense

PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - After a furore was raised following a dog owner's run-in with Bitou municipal law enforcement officers over dog-friendly beaches, the local municipality has upgraded its signage along its beaches to resolve the confusion.

The Bitou Municipality started erecting additional signage on local beaches last week as previous signs seemed to have "confused many people".

"These signs showed the different areas dogs were allowed to walk from a seaward side instead of from the visitor's point of entry at the beaches. Many people struggled to interpret these signs and it led to them walking their dogs in areas they are not supposed to," municipal spokesman Andile Namntu said.

He added that the handling of dogs on the beaches played a large role in determining if a beach should or should not be awarded Blue Flag Beach status. Plettenberg Bay currently has six beaches flying the Blue Flag.

"On top of this, the greater Plettenberg Bay area has been classified as an Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas by Birdlife South Africa in 2015. This is due to the amazing diversity in fauna and flora that can be found here."

Robberg 5 was the first beach where the additional signs were erected and the other beaches followed.

"This will enhance our chances of retaining our Blue Flag Status on all our beaches as well as continue to be classified as an Important Bird Biodiversity Area. This will also improve enforcement efforts as all parties will now have a better interpretation of all dog-friendly zones on our beaches."

New signs indicating beaches where dogs are not allowed was erected in Plettenberg Bay after previous signs proved "confusing". Photo: Supplied