Animal Protection Act

All animal owners and keepers must make sure that the animal has sufficient freedom of movement and is in good health, so that it does not suffer from injuries or is subjected to pain.
The animal must be provided with appropriate shelter, care, and nutrition.

Dogs in public domain

Dogs are permitted everywhere in the public domain, provided that they are kept on a leash.
Exception. Dogs are prohibited from entering:

• cemeteries
• municipal centres
• municipal swimming pool
• Only assistance dogs, guide dogs, and police dogs are exempt from this rule.

Dogs on a leash

Dogs must be kept on a leash:

• on public roads and in public places
• in the dunes
• on trails
• on camping sites
• in parks
• on the seafront
• In built-up areas (indicated by traffic sign F1 ‘bebouwde kom’)

Dogs on the 'regular' beach

From 16 September to 14 June, dogs are allowed on the beach.  However, the dog must be kept on a leash. Any dog excrements must be picked up and disposed of by the dog’s supervisor.
 
In the summer time, between 15 June and 15 September, dogs are prohibited from entering the beach.  Only blind people with guide dogs and police officers with police dogs are exempt from this rule.

Dogs on the dog beach

You can walk your dog all year long on the designated dog beaches, without any obligation to keep it on a leash.

These dog beaches are located:

• at breakwaters 5 en 6: the beach next to supervised area Sint-Laureins, in the direction of Nieuwpoort.
• at breakwaters 23 en 24: the beach next to supervised area ‘Carlton’, in the direction of Oostende.

Any dog excrements must be picked up and disposed of by the dog’s supervisor.

Dogs in the park

In the park, dogs must be kept on a leash.
It is prohibited to let dogs swim in ponds or other waters in public parks.

Dog excrement

Dog supervisors, except blind people, must always and everywhere remove their dog’s excrements with a dog waste bag.  The used bag must be disposed of in a garbage bin or, if available, a specially designated dog waste tube.

Dog waste bag

When you are walking your dog, you must always be in possession of a dog waste bag.  Blind people with guide dogs are exempt from this rule.
The bag must measure at least 7.87 by 11.8 inches and must have the possibility to be closed with a knot.
The bag must be presented to the police upon first request.

New: dog waste disposal tubes

There are about 30 dog waste disposal tubes spread across Middelkerke municipality.  Dog walkers can now dispose of their dog waste bags in these specially designated dog waste disposal tubes.

Dog field

There is a dog field in Middelkerke, where dogs can roam freely in the company of their owners. The dog field is located at Klein Kasteelstraat next to the Infrax buildings.