Dogs to get some summer time on town’s beaches

| April 17, 2012

(Town of Kitty Hawk photo)

The other towns:

Kitty Hawk – Between the Friday before Memorial Day and the Day after Labor Day, dogs have to be on a leash no longer than 6 feet between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Kill Devil Hills – Between May 15 and Sept. 15, no dogs are allowed on the beach from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Nags Head – Dogs are allowed on the beach at all times as long as they are on a leash.

Duck – Dogs are allowed on the beach year round as long as they are under control.

Southern Shores dog owners finally found a majority on the Town Council to allow their pets on the beach mornings and evenings in the summertime.

It took two votes, but the council OK’d changing the long-time prohibition against taking dogs to the beach at any time during summer months.

Dogs will be now be allowed on the sand before 9 a.m. and after 6 p.m. between May 15 and Sept. 15.

The animals must be on leashes no longer than 10 feet. Owners will be responsible for picking up after the dogs. The same rules apply during all hours in the offseason.

A suggestion to try out the morning and evening hours for a season was turned down last March. A group of citizens had petitioned the council in August 2010 for the change, but the vote was put off until more information could be gathered.

With two new council members, the vote was 3-2 on Tuesday. The second vote was needed because a four-vote majority is required for such an ordinance amendment to pass on the first try.

Southern Shores had been the only beach town in Dare County with a total prohibition against dogs on the beach in the summer.

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See what people are saying:

  • ekim says:

    Good dogs love time at the beach to. I do know this dog folk, the poo I see in the winter is ours. lets not give them a reason

    • on April 17, 2012 @ 6:32 pm

  • Abby says:

    I don’t get it, I can bring my dog to the beach but I have to leave it on a leash? How can she swim & play??

    • on April 17, 2012 @ 7:54 pm

  • Haterade says:

    Abby, according to the file photo you should go south to Kitty Hawk.

    • on April 17, 2012 @ 9:33 pm

  • RnR says:

    Abby, you can let him swim, but you must have voice control of him…if he doesn’t listen to you, then you need to train him more. Keep him on a leash until you get to the water, release and let him swim…stay with him to leash him as soon as his paws hit the beach.

    • on April 18, 2012 @ 7:09 am

  • obxdad says:

    Duck is for Dog Lovers!

    • on April 18, 2012 @ 8:56 am

  • Gay R. says:

    This is such good news! My family generally stays in Southern Shores and I admit we would “sneak” our dog on the beach early in the morning. Now we won’t have to! Unfortunately, we are already booked in Duck this year because of the relaxed leash laws.

    And Abby, honestly, if you are going to let your dog swim in the ocean, you should have a long lead (20′) attached to him/her anyway in case a big roller comes along and swamps him/her. Dogs can be grabbed by under currents just like people and be GONE in a flash. When you are on the beach, use the 10′ foot leash and make sure you have poop bags with you!!

    • on April 18, 2012 @ 2:00 pm

  • KDH Rezident Evil says:

    Until KDH allows chickens on the beach, there will be no equality for animals!

    • on April 18, 2012 @ 4:41 pm

  • Beached Bum says:

    Don’t screw it up remember to clean up after your mutt

    • on April 18, 2012 @ 7:04 pm

  • KHer says:

    I’ve had chickens on the beach. In a bucket. From the Colonel.

    • on April 19, 2012 @ 6:56 pm

  • john says:

    Great, now dogs have more access to the beaches of southern shores than dare county residents do.

    • on April 23, 2012 @ 11:13 am

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