Public Debate Continues About Dogs On Town Beaches

Another public hearing will be held in Southold Tuesday night to allow the public to speak their minds on the matter of dogs on public beaches.

For months, residents have been fiercely debating the contentious issue at public hearings and at a community discussion organized by Southold Town Supervisor Scott Russell in June.

The next public hearing is scheduled for Tuesday's town board meeting at 7:30 p.m. at town hall.

The proposed legislation, which has gone back to the drawing board for revision, would prohibit dogs running at large in recreational areas, including parks, picnic areas, children's play areas, trails and athletic fields, unless they are restrained on a leash not more than four feet in length at all times.

Dogs would be allowed on town beaches if restrained on a leash from May 1 through October 6 between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. At any time before or after those hours, dogs would be able to remain unleashed on the beach. They would be allowed on town designated dog runs with no leash.

Dogs would not be permitted on town recreation areas that feature signage stating that dogs or domestic animals are prohibited.

They would not be allowed on designated bathing beaches during times when a lifeguard is on duty, including Goose Creek Beach, Kenny's Beach, Norman E. Klipp Marine Park Beach, McCabe's Beach, New Suffolk Beach, Southold Town beach and any other bathing beach designated by the town board.

Dogs permitted on town-owned recreation areas would need to be under supervision, with the owner or custodian able to immediately leash the animal.

All dogs permitted on town-owned recreation areas would be required have a collar that displays a valid dog license.

In addition, all dog poop will remain the responsibility of the owner to remove; if not removed owners would face a fine beginning at $250.

At the community discussion in June, the supervisor reminded that currently, Southold Town code does not allow for any dogs on beaches. "We have to do something -- and we want to pass a code that's amenable to everyone's concerns," he said. 

The proposed legislation would not apply to nature preserves, which have stewardship plans, he said.

Russell said if the town decides to become "more permissive" with dogs on beaches, allowing them at certain times, it would be necessary to clearly indicate with signage where private property begins, to protect property rights of homeowners.

One resident asked if dogs would be allowed on the area of a town beach that was not within the area that was roped off for a lifeguard. For example, he asked, would he be able to bring his dog to the boat ramp and bring the dog on the boat.

Russell said the park and recreation committee's recommendation was for the area to include the whole beach where lifeguards and attendants were working, so that they would not have to be involved in "mini civil wars" among residents.

Southold resident Mariella Ostroski said she believed the town should purchase containers for dog refuse and said she supported having a uniform policy with set hours for all town beaches during which dogs would not be allowed on the beach. "I think it's a compromise worth considering," she said.

Ostroski said dog owners who don't pick up refuse are "another whole issue."

Russell said even though receptacles are placed at town nature refuges, waste bags are found on the trails; some dog owners, he said, do not pay attention to signs. "We are looking for accountability," Russell said. "The leashing issue addresses the issue of accountability."

Dr. Nancy Pearson, a pediatrician in Southold, said the law needs to be simple. "I don't know why we can't enforce the law we have now," she said. A mother on the beach with her children who sees a dog will not be able to relax and enjoy her time, she said. "One person's rights infringes on another's safety."

Every year, Pearson said, 4.5 million dog bites are reported. "I'll bet 90 percent were preceded by the words, 'Oh, he never bites,'" she said. "It's a health and safety issue." Pearson said she has seen a child's face bitten off by a dog. "Why can't we keep the law we have, and enforce it as it is? We have to protect our children," she said. 

Whatever law is adopted will need to be enforced, she said.

"I suspect when all is said and done, the town board will move in a direction that will make everyone a little unhappy," Russell said. The reality is, he reminded, that no dogs are allowed under the current town code, and limited hours "doesn't seem unreasonable."

Compromise is key, Russell said. Currently, there are "clashes" among community members who are demanding that dog owner get their canines off the beach. "Under the current code, they are allowed to ask that. Let's come up with something reasonable everyone can live with."

Asha Gallacher, a dog trainer in Southold, said dogs can be "unruly. We can't curtail their instincts." She said she supported time restrictions on town beaches because it would appease non-dog owners and allow for accountability. 
 
New Suffolk Civic Association President Paul Cacioppo said his community had a separate issue. New Suffolk's beach is small, he said. "On weekends during the summer, it looks like Coney Island, with blankets touching blankets."

A big problem is dog owners who don't clean up the poop, he said.

Linda Auriemma agreed. "We have a big problem in New Suffolk," she said. "I picked up 30 loads of dog poop in two weeks."

Cutchogue resident Jeff Smith suggested a traffic control officer be stationed at the New Suffolk beach and asked if a TCO could write tickets.

Residents said whatever solution was agreed upon, public outreach and education was key, especially during summer months, so tourists unfamiliar with area legislation could be made aware of the rules.

Russell asked if imposing time restrictions seemed to be a reasonable compromise residents could live with.  The group shouted "yes" and applauded.

Peconic resident Peter Terranova said the time constraints would not work for him because he is not able to get to the beach until later in the evening in the summer; many residents like to stay late on the beach in the summer to enjoy the sunset and unleashed dogs might be an issue, he said.

However, Terranova said he believed as long as dogs were leashed, they should be allowed access on any town beaches, even those with lifeguards.

Another Mattituck resident, however, said he found that idea "completely unreasonable," as his dog was a golden retriever and liked to swim.

Russell said any leash law would not apply in the water; dogs would still be allowed to swim as long as they were leashed on the beach.

Residents agreed that any new law must be enforceable. One woman asked if any dog owner had ever received a ticket for not picking up their dog's waste; Russell said not to his knowledge.

Southold resident Dawn Bennett said one way to combat the New Suffolk issue with dog poop would be to say "no dogs, period" on that beach. She agreed with Smith that a TCO would be a good idea. Once residents started getting hit with hefty fines, she said, "word will get around -- don't let your dog poop there."

Bennett suggested residents use their cell phones to embark on a community campaign, with residents banding together to take photos of individuals violating the law.

Other residents embraced the idea of a community watch, and "self-policing."

Councilwoman Jill Doherty and others said they did not feel comfortable with residents taking photos of each other; some said a "vigilante" mentality could emerge.

"We don't want the community at war with themselves," Russell said.

Mattituck resident Dan Catullo said he agreed with residents taking photos, and that he supported a leash law.

Councilman Chris Talbot said he did not know if a judge would accept cell phone photos as evidence and added there would be no way to prove a dog owner did not go back later and pick up the waste.

Residents said signage would be critical, to alert dog owners to the fines that would be imposed if they left dog poop on the beach.

Another resident suggested a second dog park.

Russell said in tough economic times, other priorities would have to come first, such as new lacrosse fields for kids. Besides, he said, "No amount of money I could spend would recreate the beauty of a beach."

Others asked for receptacles at town beaches for waste.

Pearson suggested designating a "dog beach" in town; Russell said the town did not have the assets to devote a beach to dogs.

When asked about a time frame, Russell said before any new legislation could be adopted, a public hearing would need to be noticed and held, and a vote taken. 

Residents agreed that Russell's draft, with time restrictions, and requiring that dogs be leashed during the summer season within those hours, was a good compromise, and thanked him for organizing the meeting.

"The town has a lot of work to do," Russell said. "I didn't come with answers, I came to listen to all of you."

Once the new legislation is adopted, he said, enforcement would be critical, and the plan would be to work with Police Chief Martin Flatley to that end.

Where do you stand on the issue of dogs on beaches in Southold?