After Months of Heated Debate, Board Adopts Dogs On Beach Law

Residents who want to take their dogs for a walk on the beach, can now do so legally — but they will have to abide by Southold Town rules.

On Tuesday, after months of contentious public discussion, with residents weighing in on both sides of the heated issue, the Southold town board voted 5 -1 to adopt the new legislation.

Councilman Jim Dinizio was the lone "nay" vote.

Until now, the town code has not allowed for dogs on public beaches — but it was a law that was not enforced.

For months, residents have turned out to discuss the issue at packed public hearings and one community forum.

After the vote, the board adopted regulation for dogs on the beach, which state that dogs are permitted in parks, picnic areas, children's play areas, trails and athletic fields, if the dog is restrained on a leash not more than four feet in length.

They are allowed on town beaches, if the dog is restrained on a leash, from May 1 through October 1, between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Dogs can run free on town-designated dog runs, with no leash required.

Dogs are prohibited from any town park, picnic area, children's play area or athletic field or trail posted with signage that says dogs are not allowed.

They are not permitted on designated bathing beaches while a lifeguard is on duty.

Town bathing beaches include Goose Creek Beach, Kenny's Beach, Norman E. Klipp Marine Park Beach, McCabe's Beach, New Suffolk Beach, the Southold Town Beach, and any bathing beach so designated by the town.

In addition, dogs can't walk on any land that is within an area posted for protection of piping plovers and other endangered species.

Leashing requirement do not apply to hunting dogs, in areas where hunting is allowed, or to servie dogs.

All dog waste must be removed, the law continues.

At the time of the vote, Dinizio read a statement, saying that he'd listened intently to both sides of the story and found that there was a reason why the current law allowed no dogs on the town beaches.

"The current law is the simplest to enforce — no dogs on town-owned beaches," he said. "Dog waste on town beaches is a health problem."

And, he added, while there were "more good dog owners than bad," there are enough thoughtless dog owners to assume dog poop would be left on town beaches where children walk barefoot.

"Can anyone guarantee waste isn't going into the water? Is there anyone who hasn't tasted salt water?" he asked.

In addition, he said, there was no way to judge with confidence how a dog would react with strangers.

The proposed legislation, he said, was no closer to ensuring enforcement than the current law on the books — and then, Dinizio voted "no."

Councilman Bill Ruland voted for the new legislation.

Councilwoman Jill Doherty, who has spearheaded the current effort to create a compromise with the new legislation, said she agreed with much of what Dinizio had said, and anticipated revisiting the law in the future.

"After listening to a lot of people talk, I feel this is a good compromise with how we want to live.  Beaches are a big part of everyone's lives out here."

With compromise in mind, she voted "yes" to the new law.

Thanking Doherty for taking on the contentious issue, Councilman Chris Talbot said the current law had proven to be unenforceable.

"With any good compromise, both sides are going to be a little unhappy," he said, adding he was willing to move forward with the possibility of revisiting the law down the line.

Councilwoman Louisa Evans voted "yes."

Finally, Southold Town Supervisor Scott Russell echoed the sentiments of the board and said the loosening of the rules placed a new burden on dog owners, to show they were responsible — as well as a burden on the town, to ensure enforcement.

Before voting "yes," Russell added: "I'm willing to revisit this if dog owners don't prove themselves."