DOG owners who walk their pets on windy beaches risk giving their animals horrific 'sandblast' eye injuries, leading vets have warned.

Many beaches across the UK are subject to a summer-time dog ban, with walkers fined £75 for breaching local council rules by taking their pooches onto the shores.

Those divisive bans– which typically run from May 1 to September 30– were officially lifted on October 1.

But, according to veterinary surgeon Iain Booth, founder of www.vetuk.co.uk, you should still think carefully before venturing back onto the sands with your four-legged friend.

With winter just around the corner, dog owners are being warned about the dangers of 'sandblast' injuries to their pets eyes caused by exposure to windy beaches.

Iain explained vets see severe irritation and inflammation of the eyes caused by sand being blown into dogs' eyes and is urging pet lovers to seek an alternative location for walking their dog during the stormy season.

He said: "When the conditions are right, there's is absolutely no better place to walk your dog than on the beach.

“Yet it's also vital owners see things from a dog's eye view.

“You might venture onto the beach and think it's not particularly windy.

“But try putting your head on the floor next to the sand and you'll experience things from a different perspective."

He added: “It can be a really shocking and scary situation for both pets and owners.

“And on a windy day you're doing the equivalent of putting their heads into a sandblasting machine.

“It causes severe irritation, interferes with their tear film, and a vet will have to introduce eye drops – essentially false tears – to restore balance.

“I don't want to take away the joy of playing around on the beach, but I do think dog owners need to be better aware of the risks.”

Mr Booth's www.vetuk.co.uk sell a range of eye gels, ointments and sprays to protect your animal's eyes, but products like hypromellose or Viscotears need to be dispensed by a vet.

For more information, visit: www.vetsuk.co.uk.