Dogs at the beach
Frolicking with your dog on the beach is one of life’s greatest delights.
But between leash laws and all-out bans, the rulemakers have made that simple joy nearly impossible.
This Sunday's Modern Life section in the Sun features a story (find it here) on bringing your dog to the beach — as I did a couple weeks ago. We got in some frolicking, but then we had inside information from spending last summer on Indian River Inlet in Delaware.
For those unfamiliar with the rules, a trip to the beach can turn out to be a big disappointment — from finding a hotel that accepts their pooch to locating a beach that will permit him to set a paw in the sand.
Beach towns need to give their dog rules another look, and lighten up a bit, and I’d bet those that did would be rewarded by that ca-ching sound they so like to hear.
As it is now -- (I have yet to hear back from Ocean City on my proposal for a “dog week,” see earlier post) — only a few opportunities exist to hit the surf with your dog.
As previously promised, here are the dog rules, from north to south, at Delaware and Maryland beaches, all of which urge you to stay off the dunes and require you to clean up after your dog ...
Lewes: Dogs are allowed on the beach before 8 a.m., or after 6:30 p.m., from May 1- Sept. 30, and at all times during the rest of the year. Leashes are required.
Cape Henlopen State Park: Dogs are allowed in most areas, except for nature trails, fishing piers, park buildings and guarded swimming areas. They are allowed at the campground, but leaving them there unattended is prohibited.
Rehoboth Beach: Dogs are not allowed on the boardwalk or the beach from April 1 to Oct. 31. Off season, dogs are allowed but must be leashed.
Dewey Beach: Dogs are allowed on the beach before 9:30 a.m. and after 5:30 p.m. during the summer months, but only with a city dog license ($3).
Delaware Seashore State Park: Dogs on leashes are allowed on most beaches where surf fishing vehicles are permitted. These include the access points marked Three R’s Road, Conquest Road and Key Box Road.
Bethany Beach: Dogs are banned from the boardwalk and beach from May 15 to Sept. 30; in South Bethany, they are prohibited from May 1 to Sept. 30.
Fenwick Island: Dogs are not allowed on the beach from May 15 to Oct. 15. At other times, leashes are required.
Ocean City: Dogs are prohibited on beach and the boardwalk from May 1 to Sept. 30. The rest of the year, leashes are required.
Assateague: Dogs on leashes are allowed year-round at the Assateague National Seashore (except for nature trails), and in the beach campgrounds there; they are not allowed in Assateague State Park.
Comments
We love to camp on the beach at Assateague, and we're tent campers. There are a few things to keep in mind if you plan a camping trip there with your dog:
1) There's no shade anywhere on the ocean side. Plan to rig a shady spot for your dog, both while you're at the beach and while you're at your campsite. Small dogs can try crawling under the picnic tables; for big dogs, that's not possible. You can get some shade on the bay side, but not much.
2) When you get the shady spot rigged up, make sure there's always lots of fresh water there. As well, take a collapsible bowl and extra water along when you head for the waves.
3) Remember that there are wild horses there, and dogs and horses don't always coexist harmoniously. Since the horses live there, the rules pretty much say that they're always in the right. Bring the dog into the tent with you at night; the horses roam through the camping areas at all hours.
4) Under no circumstances should you plan the drive to the wildlife refuge at the south end of the island--the one that's accessed via Chincoteague. Dogs aren't even permitted to go to that area in cars.
5) Ticks and mosquitoes abound. Be sure the meds are up-to-date.
While it's fun to stroll or run in the surf with your dog, you can also end up with a hot, dirty, miserable best friend who's either scared of or annoyed by the local wildlife and who's really wheezed off because you've had to tether him while you're messing around at camp.
Posted by: Anne | July 1, 2007 11:21 PM
Your site is very out of date, Dewey Beach dog licenses are now $15 (lifetime) not the $3 you state.. This has confused at least one dog owner intending to come for a visit.
See dog licensing on our town web site at http://www.townofdeweybeach.com/ and recently passed ordinance 650 which increased the price from $5 to $15 this past February.
Webmaster, Dewey Beach
The post you are looking at is dated 6/30/07. But thanks for the idea. With summer coming, it's good for us to do a roundup of fees. Thanks, MC
Posted by: Cleaveland | April 5, 2009 8:37 AM