Dogs on the Beach Policy

[Tupelo Honey]

But out of curiousity, are there any reasons (besides the principle and your interpretation of the constitution) why you want to see all dogs outlawed from the beach?

e.g. Safety, Health, Cleanliness, etc

GW

Because if the owner does not pick up after their dog, it can endanger the water quality.Dog waste can also get buried under sand then stepped on in bare feet. I am sure you would pick up after your dog, but other people don't, and no one is there to monitor that.

That's how it is up here in Atlanta at the Chattahoochee River Park. Not all dog owners pick up after their dog and the poop gets pushed into the river during a hard rain. Then the river becomes infested with e-coli bacteria.

 

[Mango]

I don't know what the big deal is. :roll: Doesn't everyone bring their ducky in the water with them?

 

[Geo]

Kathydwells addressed this one to me directly-

"As a visitor and/or tourist.....

May I ask you why you are glad about this?

I mean, let's say I have well behaved dog's, AND I have paid all fees, and obtained all permits to have my dog's legally on the beach, why would I not then be able to be afforded the same privilge as you? Just curious."

**************
Let me start by saying that if I was not a resident (but rather a frequent visitor) that I too would be upset that I cannot have my well behaved dog on the beach. Kinda messed up, I know...

But because I *am* a resident, I come from the perspective that I personally don't want each and every visitor to be able to bring their dogs on the beach. IMHO, (here comes a generalization) I don't think visitors would be as respectful of doody duties, the leash law and all other general etiquette related to having dogs on the beach (compared to locals). Are there visitors more respectful/responsible than locals? ABSOLUTELY. That's the problem with generalizations- they are only generally true (if there is truth to them)...

I think we need to draw the line someplace so that the beaches aren't inundated with canines. I apply my same logic to cars on the beach in Grayton. I love it that locals can get the permit and drive on the beach and I am glad that visitors aren't afforded the same priviledge...

Even if you don't agree with my reasoning, do you understand where I am coming from?

2 cents, GW

 

[Bobby J]

It would be "funny" to get a citation for having your dog on the beach!!!! Please... I bring my dog to the beach with no permit all the time! Arrest me!

 

[RiverOtter]

It would be "funny" to get a citation for having your dog on the beach!!!! Please... I bring my dog to the beach with no permit all the time! Arrest me!

Yes, but you have achieved "Rock Star" status in the area which gives you special privileges ................ much like SJ

 

[Jdarg]

I saw the FUNNIEST yesterday at the beach- somebody brought their dog to the beach- a dachshund. The sand is so soft and deep at Grayton- and this poor dog was literally having to snow plow through it since his little legs were so short. The poor thing must have been exhausted.

Later another family brought a little white fluffy dog to the outflow- and it promptly messed up it's grooming job in the water and sand. After that, they tried to put the poor dog in a zip-up tent thing. I'm sure that dog was having such a great time.:roll:

All of this during "non dog hours". Sorry y'all, but I am a rule follower. And the permits are a good thing because proof of vaccinations have to be shown to get them. I don't want my kids or dogs around a bunch of unvaccinated dogs.

 

[30A Skunkape]

If people were given carte blanche with respect to bringing dogs to the beach, some idiot would bring his pit bulls and another his German Shepherds, etc. Then there would be controversy over which breeds to exclude, firing off the old 'pit bulls are sweet but misunderstood' debate. I like the fact that there are restrictions in place.

 

[Jdarg]

And I wish there was more enforcement. I love dogs (I have 2!) but I really don't think it's cute when Muffy or Skippy run over and jump on me and lick while I'm sitting on the beach. Why do some dog owners assume that everyone else on the beach wants to interact with their dogs? I guess the same principle would be the loud boom boom music blaring from open windows of cars- the driver's assumption that everyone else wants to hear their bad music too.

 

[ShallowsNole]

I may have mentioned this earlier in the thread, but prior to the beach ordinances being enacted, pet owners from other counties and other states were coming here specifically to take their dogs to the beach. While there are many responsible pet owners, the majority failed to clean behind their animals. I *personally* take issue with animals on the beach, as even though many people scoop the poop, I have never witnessed anyone scooping yellow sand. However, I have seen a dog hike his leg on the remnants of a sandcastle, and two hours later, saw a toddler trying to eat the same sand. Plus, there is the incident I mentioned earlier.

Funny story...several years ago, a large pipe washed up on the beach near Eastern Lake. One Sunday morning in late January, my family decides to go take a peek at it ourselves. ShallowsFuzz throws on his "plain" green windbreaker, as it is a little cool outside.

We arrive at the beach, and we notice many winter guests on the beach with their dogs, mostly small and toy breeds. All are on leash, and I begin to think that the horror stories I hear every day ("but FeeFee likes to play in the surf!") are not true. We look at the pipe, take pictures, and decide to walk back the same way we came.

All of the aforementioned dogs are now OFF leash, and running willy-nilly all over the beach. On our way back up, one of the ladies we passed earlier tells Fuzz "we're sorry, we saw your green jacket and thought you might be one of those police officers that come down and harrass us." At which point, Fuzz reaches into his jacket pocket and pulls out his badge...:funn:

Note: we are not seeing as many citations for DOTB as we used to, but they are fairly expensive when they do happen. So please follow the rules...or wave and say hi when you come in to pay your ticket.

 

[Teresa]

oh, dogs used to be more than welcome at the beach, without leashes or permits or poop scoops. it was a great place to romp, and many dogs from grayton took themselves out on the beach each and every day to enjoy their playground.

growth and progress brings many new people to the area (tourists and residents), meaning that restrictions become necessary for the protection of people as well as dogs. it was truly a sad day in Walton County when the beach was legally retricted for our dog friends. we were all just furious! probably one of the most attended commission meetings ever. after all, people are the ones that trash the beach, not animals. poop doesn't hurt the beach (if left unscooped ) - the crabs love it. but the trash deliberately and unnecessarily dumped on the beach by humans definitely does.

however, even I must admit that the restrictions are necessary at this point, with so many people - some are responsible dog owners and some not so much. some people don't like dogs at all and would rather not share the beach with them. what dog wants to go to the beach on a leash? we don't take our dog to the beach anymore because its just not worth it. I'm not paying the county for the privilege of taking Lulu to the beach at only certain hours and on a leash!

When we're vacationing at Indian Pass, always and forever a pet friendly beach, Lulu can play all day - unleashed and without a permit! :clap_1: