However, dogs are still banned from the beach from April 1 to October 31, "in order to ensure sanitary cleanliness, compliance with hygiene requirements and the quality of bathing water, as well as not to pose a threat to people's safety," according to a release from the Jūrmala municipality.
The welcoming o dogs during the winter season came as a result of a signature-gathering initiative on the ManaBalss.lv open democracy site.
The author of the initiative, Inga Kondrāte, said that without such a platform, it would have been almost impossible for her to collect the necessary signatures, because manually collecting signatures while walking from house to house seemed time-consuming and difficult. "ManaBalss.lv helped not only technically, but also with advice - such a platform gives residents a real opportunity to achieve changes and defend their needs without leaving home," said Kondrāte.
The initiative was considered in the Jūrmala City Council after 479 signatures were collected on the ManaBalss.lv platform in 2020. The changes came into effect on September 24, 2023, and from November 1 to March 31 of this year, it will be allowed to be with a dog on a leash in the territory of Jūrmala near the beach of the Gulf of Riga. This decision is based on both the collective submission and the results of the public consultation, where the majority expressed support for the possibility of allowing the presence of dogs on the beaches in the autumn and winter season, referring to similar practices elsewhere in Europe.
The initiator of the initiative, Inga Kondrāte, states that such a solution has already been implemented in other Latvian cities, for example Saulkrasti, where animal owners are allowed to walk their dogs by the sea in certain areas. She emphasizes that walking on the beach not only promotes physical activity and allows residents to spend more time with their pets, but also improves the overall quality of life.
This decision is a step forward not only in the interests of animal owners, but also in strengthening democratic participation, as it shows that citizens' initiatives on digital platforms have the power to bring about change.
Additional information is available on the Jūrmala City Council website: https://www.jurmala.lv/lv/ news/no-1-novembra- jurmalas-pludmale-vares- atrasties-ar-suniem/
