Call for Dog Walkers to Fight for Coastal Rights
The Kennel Club is urging the dog owners and walkers of England's green and pleasant land to take part in a survey intended to protect their rights to visit the English coastline with their pets.
Following a successful lobbying campaign by the Kennel Club, the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 gives dog walkers access to the entire coastal trail. However, the trail is separated into a number of administrative sections, with specific access rights to be consulted upon by the local community before submission to DEFRA.
The Kennel Club is responding to each local consultation to ensure that coastal access rights are in place to benefit as many people as possible, and has therefore developed the survey to ascertain the views of local dog walkers and those with a vested interest in the project.
Caroline Kisko, the Kennel Club's Communications Director, said: "We are calling for as many dog walkers as possible in the relevant areas to participate in the survey - it provides us with a chance to formulate the strongest response to each consultation, thereby further helping us to protect the rights of dog walkers across the UK."
She added: "As a nation of dog lovers, this is something that will affect thousands of dog walkers across the country."
The next consultation will focus on the Durham area, for which the deadline is 6th December.
To take part in the survey for this and any other areas, click here.
Eligible members of BEVA will be able to vote for their Council team until Monday, 17 August 2026. Members will have received an election email on 17 July.
