11 comments so far.Dogs in Gozo are now allowed to swim in Xwejni Bay
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This morning the Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture and Fisheries and Animal Rights, Roderick Galdes announced that Xwejni, on the outskirts of Marsalforn in Gozo, will be one of five beaches in Malta and Gozo that dogs are allowed to swim.
The other four locations are in Malta – tal-Ahra’ in Mellieha, in Bahar ic-Caghaq behind the Splash and Fun, Sliema at Tigne Point at and tal-Maghluq in Marsaxlokk.
Roderick Galdes said the Government will notify in the future on further beaches in Malta and Gozo that will allow dogs to swim, this will be done after consultations with the Environmental Health Directorate, the Animal Welfare Directorate, the Gozo Ministry and with the Local Councils.
The Parliamentary Secretary said that dog owners will be allowed to use these beaches, with the condition that the dogs are on a leash and that they do not cause inconvenience to other bathers. Dog owners must also ensure that all mess, including possible animal excrement from the animals, is cleaned up and not left behind, bins are provided.
Well done .
But stop rod fishing in the swim areas everywhere !!!
Walter I agree with Dietmar Treptow , to certain point .. I think they still can fish , but the Fishermen must also have some responsibility not to fish too close to the Dog while it swimming ….I think that’s only Fair . Gozitan from Xaghra .
Great news but who is going to inform the Dog owners ? I hope there will be notices up with this information.At present on the beach near The Otters we often have to share the water with dogs and when we mention our concerns to the owners we are met with abuse or they ignore us and continue to allow their dog to do what it pleases!!!
Carmelita – this is not the only place dogs can swim – as long as its not off a sandy beach or in a designated swimming zone, then dogs can swim anywhere
I have just had a run in with an Italian at Mgarr ix Xini, who was really abusive until a local man that I have seen on several occassions swimming his dog intervened and put a stop to it by telling him to stop bullying a single woman and shout at me I swim my dog here too. The Italian then berated him until the local man said I am a policeman and she is doing nothing wrong but you are, find another beach if you don’t like it” Mgarr ix Xini is not a sandy beach and I only swim my dogs in the boat zone NOT the swim zone. So glad of the local support
Just recently I moved here to Gozo , I brought my dogs with me .
I took them swimming where I had met a man local man who swims with his dog every day without fail , but apon arriving with my dogs to swim I was verbably abused by a local woman!!!
She said they wanted the tourists and their euros but not their dogs ! If it was a quite encounter I would not have minded so much , but I think all of Gozo and Malta heard her !!!
Thank you for the warm welcome Gozo 🙁
I swim with my dogs every day at Mgarr ix Xini, the announcement that dogs can swim at Xwejni has caused lots of confusion and bad feeling. The Legal Notice 125 of Management of Bathing Water Quality Regulations states: Bathing of animals: 19 (1) No animals may be taken into the sea at anytime within the areas indicated by the superintendent as being bathing areas under the provisions of these regulations. 19 (2) Domestic pets such as dogs are not to be taken on sandy beaches at any time, HOWEVER, they may be taken on rocky beaches and the owner of such pets should not cause any nuisance to other bathers and to clean any fouling made by their pets….This notice has been confirmed as accurate by the Minister to the SPCA. I carry a copy of this regulation with me when we go swimming and have had cause to show it on three occassions, we have several dogs that swim at Mgarr ix Xini and all of the owners are diligent in cleaning up after the dogs. The dogs are quite an attraction, we do NOT allow the dogs to swim in the bathing areas marked of by buoys and rope. A bit of common sense should prevail and owners should be sensitive as to busy times during the season.
Hi all. I wonder if you could help? We are relocating from the UK to Gozo in March next year and bringing over our dog. If dogs are not allowed on the beaches, is there anywhere on the island that dogs are allowed off the lead to run and stretch their legs? Many thanks in advance for any advice.
Hi Gary. I assume you have been to Gozo before so have you been to Mgarr-ix-Xini? Lovely little inlet to swim in, beautiful food provided by Noel and Sandra right on the beach and Gozo the dog will be there to welcome and play with any dogs you bring with you. Lots of people take their dogs to Mgarr-ix-Xini so you will be welcomed there no problem. If you haven’t been before try the deep fried fish ravioli with chips. Best on Gozo.
Hi Gary – if you email us on info@spca-gozo.org, we can suggest a few places
Whoever choose this beach for the dogs to swim chosen the wrong one because dogs can easy hurt their legs with broken glass and all those stones just like my dog did :/