Next time you head to the beach to cool down this summer, you might have to leave man’s best friend at home or leashed up on the beach.
According to Nordvestnyt Kalundborg newspaper, dogs are now banned from entering the water at the hundreds of ‘Blue Flag’ beaches around Denmark.
The Blue Flag is an international eco-label that works towards the sustainable development of beaches and the protection of coastline environments.
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Canine complications
As the summer season begins to kick in, controllers from the outdoor council, Friluftsrådet, will patrol the various Blue Flag beaches to ensure that everything is in order.
Fortunately, there are still hundreds of beaches throughout Denmark where dog lovers can take their canines for a dip.
However, according to rules set out by the nature authority Naturstyrelsen, the dogs are only allowed in the water between the months of April and September if they are attached to a lead. The same applies out of the water as well.
Dogs are only permitted to run free on a beach between October and March, as long as they are deemed to be under control.
Check out if the beach near you is classified as a Blue Flag beach.