Safety fears grow as unleashed dogs roam Hout Bay beaches
City of Cape Town signage stating that dogs are not allowed to be off the leash at Hout Bay Beach.
Image: Tauriq Hassen
Residents in Hout Bay are raising concerns over dogs being allowed to run freely on local beaches, despite regulations prohibiting unleashed animals in certain areas.
Last week, resident Samantha Larson was walking her two dogs on the beach when an unleashed dog approached them.
According to Larson, the dog initially appeared playful, but the situation quickly escalated when her dogs felt threatened by the animal repeatedly coming towards them.
Larson said she held tightly onto her dogs’ leashes, but managing two dogs while trying to control the situation proved difficult. The owner of the unleashed dog reportedly arrived shortly afterwards and managed to regain control before any injuries occurred.
"I understand that the dog perhaps wanted to play, but approaching another dog in that manner without its owner around was a bit risky, and anything could have happened," she said.
In a separate incident, another Hout Bay resident was walking on the beach when an unleashed dog ran towards him.
Although the dog appeared playful, it jumped on him and scratched him before the owner intervened and apologised.
Dogs running freely at the Hout Bay Beach have been questioned by some residents and beachgoers.
Image: Tauriq Hassen
Adam Hughes said: "While many dog owners may want to allow their pets to run freely, consideration should be given to other beachgoers who may not be comfortable around dogs. Perhaps find secluded areas that are more appropriate, especially spaces on the beach which are not being widely used by the public."
Ward councillor Roberto Quintas said he had not received complaints about the matter for some time, but confirmed that signage is displayed at both beaches outlining the applicable rules regarding dogs.
Quintas said bylaw transgressions could result in fines and warned that in cases involving dangerous animals, the City’s animal control unit, together with the SPCA, could intervene to remove dangerous animals.
He reminded residents to follow beach signage and act responsibly in order to avoid injuries, conflict, possible prosecution, and the potential euthanising of animals involved in serious incidents.
Quintas added that he would request increased visibility from neighbourhood safety officers at the beaches to ensure bylaws are enforced where necessary.
"I will request that our NSO deployment be more visible at the beaches and intervene as is required and prescribed by the law where necessary," he said.