Do you think dogs should be allowed on public beaches?

[thegreenyogi]

I see a lot of people bringing their dogs to the beach and that's absolutely fine if it weren't for the fact that I see dog owners not really capable of having control over their dogs. And if there are people who are scared or if the dog attacks someone it could be a problem. What are your thoughts?

[MuddyMole]

Where I live, dogs are banned from nearly all popular beaches during the day, throughout July and August (the school holidays). The exceptions are generally more remote / less accessible beaches, or sometimes the less attractive of two beaches that are close together.

The beach I live next to is extremely popular with dog walkers the rest of the year, and every year the local dog owners campaign (unsuccessfully) to have dogs allowed on one end of the beach (there's already kind of a natural divide between the family/swimming end of the beach and the surfing/dog walking end).
Honestly, and even as someone who walks a dog there myself, I'm glad they're banned. It's bad enough at the weekends during the winter, as the dog owners here are awful - they don't control their dogs, they don't pick up after them, and they're rude, unpleasant people. And it's not just a few bad apples - it's the majority. With the number of extra tourists around in the summer, and given that dogs are banned from the other beaches in the area, if they were allowed here, the beach would be completely overrun.
It's too hot for dogs in the summer anyway, and there's no shade.

eg. A post from the local FB group just a couple of days ago:

[Zack-Bann]

Back when I had a crippling phobia of dogs I would have said absolutely not.


But since then I managed to cure that phobia and actually love dogs now


In my mind: dogs on a beach are fine


But knowing that many people do have phobias I believe they should be respected as well.


So my opinion would be:
Let the dogs come but not loose dogs going around licking anyone trying to get a tan
Dog owners should keep them on a leash and close by (or off the leash but only when they are trained to the point of not wandering away)


Another option would be splitting the beach in half with a dog area and no dog area
Letting people chose where to go depending on what experience they want

[PBandJ_Nerd]

The beach would have to have signs with explicit rules to follow and if they're not then those people should have their dogs banned from the beaches. Things such as: They must be on a leash, if they have a tendency to bite they should wear a muzzle, owners must keep an eye on their dogs, make sure the dogs don't consume anything harmful, and clean up any poop & pee they make. It's the owner's responsibility to make sure their dogs behave, much like they should in any other public space/area. Beaches in general already have rules that people's trash & recyclables need to be picked up and stuff. There's rules for people so nothing wrong with them having rules for dogs if they allow them to be there.

[Babygirl_S]

No! I simply don’t have the energy to tell so many dogs of some people to avoid biting me. That dog should be kept by her in her home unless she can pull his collar and keep that dog under control. I wouldn’t deal with so many barking dogs roaming free when I’m just trying to relax. I might even want to meditate and what if I close my eyes and that dog tries to bite me? I need freedom from that fear. Her pet should be kept on a leash , never free to come bite me as that could be a rabid dog.

[OneViewpoint]

I think these people have a right to own a dog. But their dog is not my responsibility or my problem. Clean up after your dog. If your dog is friendly and having a good time, they are great to have around. If your dog tries to attack me, I will kill it. You should have properly socialized your dog and controlled your dog.

[DeeDeeDeVour]

What I mind more are owners not properly or not at all cleaning up after their dogs since I have never witnessed any violent dog-on-human or dog-on-dog attacks on the beaches I've visited.

Most of the dogs on the beach are as friendly as their human owners.

[Screenwriter]

There's the control issue you cite and the fact that dogs poo and pee on sand that people walk through, sit and lie on. It's unsanitary.

I wish people would stop treating dogs like auxiliary children. They're not. Some places are for people alone.

[Kaneki05]

I don't like dogs so automatic bias answer No. Though logically it makes no sense to ban them, makes more sense to actually just arrest those who don't clean up problem solved. Give them 10 years prison time and all the sudden... people will clean it.

[HawkPerception]

Truthfully, no. We shouldn't have to worry about people's dogs at the beach or stepping on their shit that some owners won't pick up.

I love dogs and all, but beaches aren't good for them either. It's easy for them to invest saltwater, waves and strong tides can easy make it too dangerous, they might ingest garbage, step on sharp objects, gets tons of sand that's really hard to get out of their fur and they can also easily ingest it.

[purplepoppy]

I can understand a ban on heavily used beaches but around here there doesn't seem to be any logic as to which beaches are dog friendly and which aren't. Then they divide beaches up into sections and mark the boundary with flags 100m apart just so they can fine tourists when Fido wanders over the invisible line.

[Staximus]

They are not allowed on most beaches here. Some beaches have designated areas for people to walk their dogs, or to let them off the leash and run around. There's like 20 damned dogs running around. Dogs are like people, every one is different. There is always going to be one dog or human that a particular dog is just not going to like and want to attack.

[NoDecision]

I don't know about dogs, but certainly not cats. Nothing worse than your kid playing in the sand and sifting up kitty croutons. On the island of cats, the beach is the only litter box they have. 🤢

[CupcakeTheDestroyer]

It’s a public space, shit happens in public. Fights happen, drunks happen, children happen. If you ban dogs because they can’t be controlled 100% of the time, then you should also ban children for the same reason.

[chrissykerdock]

i used to have a 100 lb dog she was sweet but could've destroyed you if provoked but in a public i don't think i'd like rottweiler's on the beach

[Shiprex]

Absolutely, as long as they're well behaved (especially the humans). Other's fears should not be allowed to limit the freedoms of families (adopted animals are family here) to enjoy the natural climate and environment.

[AndrésC64]

In theory, yes. But unfortunately there are too many inconsiderate people in the world. They would let their dogs run wild chase people and shit all over the place and not clean it up.

[alice55]

No in France they're only allowed on certain beach, dog owner never take care of their dog they let them roam free and they keep o bothering everyone and even biting without reason.

[Nikki1989]

Not when they are pooping on the beach and owners just walk away and leave it. I have seen that happen dozens of times.

[KostasKouvalis]

On SOME. I think people who want to bring their dog to the beach should be able to do so, but there should also be "dog-free" beaches for people like me.

[SotiCoto]

Of course. It isn't like people own the beach. No reason dogs wouldn't also be able to go there... or cats... or seagulls... or hedgehogs if they really want.

[Massageman]

Some beaches allow it, some don't. Too bad the doggos get the bad end of the stick due to inept owners.

[exitseven]

As long as they are tied up I do not mind. I do not know why people bring dogs to Home depot.

[MannMitAntworten]

If the beach allows dogs, then yes. If it doesn’t, then no.

[genericname85]

i think if it's not explicitly a beach for swimming, then sure.

[Arcadian222]

Not at all. And its more to do with the owners not being responsible enough to take care of the beast

[beefcakebradybatson]

Sure, if you want to walk on crap in while barefoot !!!

[Jeff51]

I dont want to get bitten or a dog humping my leg.

[Panthero80]

Take your dog to a dog park and leave beaches for people.

[itsannalee]

It’s public, so it should be allowed

[dustybiker2]

It's human feces that freaks me out

[TheSpaceGnome]

Yes, all pets are fine.

[douride2]

The short answer is no.

[Wise4myage]

Yes, but always on a lease.

[msc545]

Dogs need to be on leashes.

[Anonymous]

No, I don't think so.

[Shabooms926]

Yes, only on a leash.

[Anonymous]

Yes of course they should be.

[Briennette]

Yes, they should.