No Progress on Dog Beaches
In spite of state and Cyprus Central Foreshore Committee efforts, only one municipality -Ayia Napa- has created a dog beach, and even then at its own initiative.
In a letter responding to queries from Greens MP George Perdikis , Interior Minister Neocles Sylikiotis said he had asked the municipalities to take a more active interest in setting aside areas, in conjunction with the Cyprus Central Foreshore Committee. He said that the town Planning Department had already prepared a list of suggested sites to present to the municipalities.
The Cyprus Central Foreshore Committee had hoped to have an area of coastline set aside for dogs by the end of October 2008.
Aiya Napa Municipality designated a beach for dogs, introduced in August 2008. The stretch of beach is called “Louma “ and was used as a place where shepherds took their flocks to bathe in the sea for hundreds of years. The beach is near the Axartis Restaurant , opposite the Waterworld Water Park in Ayia Thekla.
The need for dog beaches became tragically more apparent two years ago, when a man and his dog were mown down and killed by another bather following a row over the dogs presence at Latchi , Paphos.
According to the current law, it is illegal to take a dog to any beach , except one set aside for them, either for swimming or a walk . The same law also stipulates the creation of dog beaches.
In his letter , Sylikiotis also listend four beaches in the Famagusta district as already having access for people with mobility plans to do so. Those already with access are Vathia Gonia in Ayia Napa , Landa in Ayia Napa and Protaras and Vrysis beaches in front of the Yianna Marie Resort in Paralimni . Ayia Thekla and Limbouridi beaches in Sotira are planning better access.
Related posts:
Tags: ayia napa discos, ayia napa hotels, cyprus ayia napa, cyprus beaches, cyprus holidays, cyprus paralimni, cyprus protaras, north cyprus beaches, north cyprus holidays, northern cyprus holidays