A PAIR of dog walkers will not be getting off to the best Christmas after being hit by hundreds of pounds worth of fines for taking their pets on a North East beach.

That's because "dog exclusion zones" were set up on part of Sunderland City Council beaches, patrolled by wardens between May 1 and September 30.

An area of Seaburn Beach was earmarked as prohibiting dogs in a bid to help prevent dog mess from becoming a hazard when it's at its busiest.

Read more: These are the North-East beaches where dogs are now BANNED (as you could be fined £1k)

However, for the two dog walkers, Sunderland City Council issued a warning after the two had failed to pay a Fixed Penalty Notice of £100 and ignored multiple warning letters which threatened court action.

Deputy Leader of Sunderland City Council and Cabinet Member for the Environment, Councillor Claire Rowntree said: "The exclusion zone at Seaburn is there to help keep it dog free, clean and safe for families and children to use over the summer months.

"It has always been a very simple ask that dog walkers take note of the signs and keep their dogs off certain limited stretches of beach during these busier summer months.

"There are similar signs and warnings in our parks and cemeteries. Dog walkers should be aware that if they do breach the rules, there are penalties and these can be bigger penalties if matters are taken to the courts."

Read more: Council explains why dogs WON'T be banned from County Durham's beaches

On December 15, South Tyneside Magistrates' Court heard how Shannon Cowell and Anthony McGowan had breached the rules, witnessed by Neighbourhood Enforcement Wardens.

Cowell of Rocket Way in Newcastle was found guilty of "failure to adhere to a Public Spaces Protection Order, allowing a dog in a prohibited designated area" on Seaburn beach on May 24.

McGowan of Kenton Lane in Newcastle was found guilty of "failure to adhere to a Public Spaces Protection Order, allowing a dog in a prohibited designated area" on Seaburn beach on June 23.

Both failed to appear at court and the cases were found proven in their absence, resulting in a fine of £660 each and further costs of £235 each.

Between May 1 and September 30, 2021, 61 dog walkers received penalty charges for breaching the beach zones.

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