Like most seashore towns, Avalon and Stone Harbor have restrictions for dogs on the beach.
In Avalon, leashed dogs are permitted on the the beach only in the off season-Â between September 30th and March 1st.
Stone Harbor allows leashed dogs on the beach between 7pm and sunset from June 1st through September 30th; and this year, installed doggie clean up bag dispensers at some beach paths.Â
Now for my rant: my early morning walks on the beach technically should be “dog free”.  I am not a dog owner, but I understand the appeal of taking a dog for a run on the beach, or a swim in the ocean.  And dog owners may genuinely feel they can control their pet, and therefore, remove the leash.
Unfortunately, when a dog is charging at me, I see aggression. I don’t believe “he is just saying hello”, or “she won’t hurt you”.  I have even tried Dog Whisperer techniques- avoid eye contact, walk farther away, make the chhhhttt noise…without success. My fear may not seem rational to the dog owner, but it’s based on prior experiences with other “friendly” dogs.
So I will appeal to my readers. If you own a beach dog, please follow the local leash laws. It will make for happier blog posts 😉
Comments
4 responses to “Dogs on the Beach”
oh, how I agree. I am NOT much of a dog person. Even though, as the owner, you know your pet and trust him, I do not. Keep your dog under control, and if that means a leash, so be it.
I’m a dog person and I love that there is place we can take the dogs onto the beach. But I totally agree with the leash rule…I love to allow my dog to run free, but when there are others on the beach, we always leash him. It’s a courtesy – not everyone likes dogs running up to them, friendly or otherwise.
Thanks! I’m sure this issue follows the 90/10 rule: 90% of dog owners respect others using the beach, but the 10% offenders stand out and cause the problem. See you on the beach 🙂
It is just like people who smoke cheap cigars on the beach or people who make holes in the sand and let their children pee in them. Or the time I told someone to not bury their child’s diaper in the sand. Consideration and common sense. By the way, where did you set out with your kayak and what are the restrictions in Stone Harbor?