Dog Control

The Isles of Scilly are the perfect destination for dog owners to bring their pet on holiday. To ensure the Islands are safe for wildlife and to minimise nuisance to all visitors and residents, there are local area restrictions in place and we ask that these are observed by all dog owners. A Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) in relation to dog control on the Isles of Scilly is in place (see the attachment on the right of this page), which includes offences relating to dog fouling and access to some beaches and sensitive areas of wildlife. Please be vigilant and take extra care outside the main residential areas and on the coastal paths as there may be livestock grazing on surrounding private and agricultural land. Please remember that the coastal path that runs past St Mary's Airport. 
 
Please ensure that your dog is under your control at all times

Dog Fouling

If your dog fouls in any public area you are required to clean it up and properly dispose of it

It is an offence if a person in charge of a dog fails to remove and suitably dispose of its faeces forthwith.In general terms, this applies to any open land that the public have access to. Please ensure that you always carry dog waste bags and use the public bins provided on St Mary's. Some of the off islands have limited disposal bins, so please be suitably prepared to carry the waste bags until a suitable bin is found. Please note that dog waste can be put into any public bin and not just dog specific ones. 

Seasonal Exclusion Areas

The Isles of Scilly have some of the best beaches in England and most are dog friendly. However during the summer season some of our beaches are off limit. From the 1st May until the 30th September their are limits on the areas below:

  • Porthcressa Beach (all times)
  • Porthmellon Beach (all times)
  • Old Town Beach (9am-7pm)
  • Land Adjacent to the Tourist Information Centre ('Porthcressa Gardens') (all times)

Permanent Exclusion Areas

The following areas are permanently off limits to dogs:

St Mary's
  • Parade Park, Hugh Town
  • Five Islands School MUGA pitch, Old Town
  • Five Islands School Playing Field, Old Town
  • Isles of Scilly Skate Park, Old Town
  • Garrison Playing Field, The Garrison
  • Garrison Children's Play Area, The Garrison
  • Porthcressa Children's Play Area, Hugh Town
Bryher
  • Bryher MUGA Pitch
  • Bryher Community Centre, Children's Play Area
St Agnes
  • St Agnes MUGA Pitch
  • St Agnes Primary School Green
St Martin's
  • St Martin's Enclosed Tennis Courts

Dogs on Leads

There is a requirement for ‘dogs on leads’ in designated streets/areas; The Bank, hugh Street, Silver Street, The Parade, Ingram's Opening, Lower Strand, The Strand (incl Wellcross), Church Street, and Holgates Green Picnic Area

Church Grounds
There is a requirement for dogs to be kept on leads in designated church grounds as specified in the PSPO.

Bird Breeding Areas
There is a requirement for dogs to be kept on leads in designated bird breeding grounds during the breeding season 1st April to 30th September inclusive as specified in the PSPO. The Isles of Scilly Hosts seabird colonies which are of national and international importance. The Manx Shearwater and The Storm Petrel breed here on one of only two sites identified in England. Disturbance can be a significant negative factors in breeding success. To protect the bird populations, dogs are required to be kept on leads within designated seabird breeding grounds during the breeding season.

By Direction of an Authorised Officer
It is an offence to fail to put a dog on a lead when directed to do so by an Authorised Officer.

Should any member of the community require further clarification on the forthcoming PSPO please contact  environmentalhealth@scilly.gov.uk

Microchipping of Dogs (England) Regulations 2015

It is the law that all dogs must be microchipped and registered to an approved database by the time they are 8 weeks old. Responsible owners would also ensure that their details are kept up to date with their Microchipping company. Having a dog microchipped is one of the best ways to increase your pet's chance of getting home if lost. Unlike dog tags and collars which can fall off or be removed, microchipping is a more permanent form of identifying your dog.