Filenews 28 August 2021 - by Despina Psilou
They bite the waves. They run towards the water to catch their ball and then plough the shoreline, playing with the sand and pebbles. This is what you will see on the dog beaches of Cyprus, where the four-legged splash and enjoy the sun and the sea along with their owners.
"You throw the ball at him and he runs to bring it from the sea. He climbs rocks and then dives. Over and over again. My dog rolls in the sand. They have tremendous enthusiasm. They find other dogs, they run and play", describes to "F" about her experience on a dog beach, the president of Nicosia Dog Shelter, Victoria Nikolaou. "It is very beautiful to be able to go to the beach with your dog and family. It is a wonderful joy for the dog as well. It is reminiscent of the behaviour of a child who runs to splash in the water and play in the sand." After all, he noted, swimming is very good exercise for both man and dog. That's why veterinarians recommend it.
Dogs are not always welcome, explains Ms Nicolaun and adds: "It happened that a citizen approached me while I had taken my dog for a walk to ask me to move away." This, as he explains, happens not only on the beaches but also in parks or cafes. "Fortunately they are a minority. People accept that for some the dog is another member of their family. That they also have rights, as we do as owners of the dog."
Since last year, Mrs. Nikolaou continues, some good beaches have been granted for swimming with pets. "In Paralimni, in the area of Kappari, there is a dog beach with free umbrellas and cots. However, because some people did not want us there, they had burned the umbrellas. Fortunately, the municipality replaced them." What needs to be done as a next step, concludes Mrs. Nikolaou, is to start some organized beaches to accept dogs as well. "For their part, the owners must also be responsible and take care of their dog and any dirt."
On her part, the deputy president of the Movement of Ecologists, Efi Xanthou, told "F" that after several efforts, it was decided in 2019 to allow dogs access to all beaches of Cyprus, with the exception of those characterized by a specific decree as bathers' beaches as well as the beaches in a natura area. "That is, today, you are free to go with your dog to a beach that does not have a lifeguard. The beaches of bathers are included in a decree issued every year, for the period April – November. During the rest of the months (winter months) dogs are also allowed access to the beaches of bathers".
Before 2019, notes Ms. Xanthou, an effort had been made to have at least one dog beach in each province. "The problem was that some of the dogs located in inaccessible and rocky areas were chosen as dog beaches. There was a perception that this beach that would also give access to pets, is a beach that is wasted. That's why the dog owners were very unhappy."
In general, said Mrs. Xanthou, there is prejudice towards dogs and their owners. "There is a perception that they are dirty or that they get dirty on the beach." Ideal'', he said, ''it would be possible at some point to allow a good beach of bathers to be able to go with his dog''.
The 7 beaches
According to the list established by the Ministry of Tourism, these are the beaches where bathing dogs is allowed:
- Glyki Nero A' in Paralimni (near Kapari).
- Spyros Beach, south of Larnaka airport.
- Northwest of Pafos airport, at the estuary of the river Ezousa in Acheleia.
- Pitili area, east of the mouth of the River Platania in Neo Chorio, Pafos.
- Location Karavopetra, southeast of the wastewater treatment plant of S.A.L.A. in Monagroulli.
- Location Prolimnos, west of Pissouri.
- Location of Sterotzia in Kato Pyrgos Tyllirias.
