Dog holidays on Rügen: Conflicts on beaches are increasing!

Dog holidays on Rügen: Conflicts on beaches are increasing!

Rügen is enjoying growing popularity among holidaymakers who want to take their four-legged friends with them on holiday. But this trend also brings challenges. The number of dogs on beaches has increased significantly, causing conflicts between dog owners and other bathers. According to the Baltic Sea newspaper Overnight stays with dogs on Rügen have increased by an impressive 30% in recent years. In 2024 alone, 53,000 dog overnight stays were recorded.

Kurt Rößel, the beach steward of Mönchgut, reports numerous difficulties that the increased number of guests brings with it. What is particularly tricky is ignoring the leash requirement, which often leads to tension. Despite comprehensive information and educational campaigns by the spa administration, such as flyers about dog beaches and rules of conduct, the regulations are often ignored. And sometimes things are anything but friendly: Rößel has already experienced aggressive reactions and threats from dog owners.

Leash requirements and dog beaches

The rules regarding keeping on a leash on Rügen's beaches are complex and vary depending on the location. In the Southeast Rügen Biosphere Reserve, dogs are required to be kept on a leash all year round to ensure that nature is protected. In Sellin, for example, there are two dog beaches that require dogs to be kept on a leash from April 1st to October 31st. Here the number of overnight stays with dogs rose from 22,000 in 2020 to 32,000 in 2022.

For dog owners who would like to enjoy the freedom of their four-legged friends, there are six dog beaches in Binz where leashes are not required from May to September. However, it is important to note that these beaches are also only accessible to dogs that adhere to local rules. A notice that dogs are allowed in the respective beach area does not always mean that they are allowed to run without a leash. The right combination of freedom and consideration is required here.

Cleanliness is the be-all and end-all

A big issue that comes up regularly when using dog beaches is cleanliness. Many bathers complain about dog waste that is not disposed of. There are special bag dispensers and trash cans available on the beaches that dog owners should use to fulfill their obligations. Unfortunately, dealing with dog poop is often ignored, which not only leads to hygiene problems but also conflicts with other beach visitors. Loud Paw love Fines can be imposed if dog feces are not removed.

Overall, the behavior of dog owners is crucial for harmonious coexistence on the beach. It is important to maintain a distance from other bathers and ensure that dogs do not interact inappropriately with others. This also includes avoiding feeding dogs on the beach and paying attention to the animals' digging behavior. This is the only way to ensure pleasant beach fun for everyone.

A look at the total number of visitors shows: In Baabe, the number of guest dogs rose from 1,126 in 2013 to 4,757 in 2022. Such increases present Rügen with the challenge of meeting both the needs of holidaymakers and the requirements of nature conservation. The spa administration is required to take appropriate measures to enable harmonious coexistence between people and animals.

Different rules often apply in the off-season. Dogs are allowed to run off-leash on many beaches, but the leash should always be within easy reach in busy areas. For many animal lovers, dogs are already family members that cannot be missed on vacation. This makes it all the more important to always keep an eye on the applicable regulations. bussgeld-info.de makes it clear that a lot of consideration is required on heavily frequented beaches.