DOG owners will be bringing their pets to the beach in their campaign to change new bylaws.

As reported in the Echo, hundreds of people have now signed petitions over a ban on dogs on the beach.

Last year, Weymouth and Portland Borough Council voted to change the dates of when dogs are allowed on the beach.

They are now banned between Easter and October 31– an extra six to nine weeks of the year, depending when Easter falls.

But dog owners want things to go back to the way they were, saying this is the only time of year that local people get to enjoy the beach.

They have also said that new signs, which cost £6,000 to install are ‘confusing’ and that the ban makes little difference anyway.

They will be meeting en masse on the beach this Sunday, October 30 from 2pm to 4pm at the Pavilion end where dogs are allowed, to raise awareness.

They say that most of the beach is ‘vast and empty’ this autumn.

One of the organisers, Lyn Stevenson, said: “We are not asking to be on the beach any longer than previously– we just want the ban to go back to May 1.

“This is the time of the year that local people get to use the beach; local families get to come and enjoy it.

“This time of year, there’s no one here. It’s the time when local people come and walk with their dogs and spend money at the shops and businesses.

“There are lots of dogs down here today playing on the beach and in the water– but unfortunately we have to stay up at the Pavilion end.

“Speaking to people, there is a lot of confusion. The signs are very confusing. Lots don’t realise there’s a change and the ones that do are very angry about it.”

Organisers have asked that people only sign one of the available petitions.

As reported last week, the council has just paid £6,000 to have signs on the beach changed.

Cllr Francis Drake said the changes had been through a ‘rigorous scrutiny process’ including public consultation.

He added: “We can’t keep changing the rules backwards and forwards, it costs a lot of money. The consultation had one of the best responses we’ve ever seen and the majority of people were in favour of the changes that were made.”

Other changes that came in to effect were new restrictions on the Rodwell Trail, a ban on long leads, an increase in fines, and extensions at the Nothe and other public parks The fine for dog fouling has also been increased from £75 to £100 to be paid within 28 days and reduced to £75 if paid within 14 days.

The petition will go before full council on January 19, 2017.