Dogs on Florida beaches?
 

Will be travelling to the area of Ft. Myers/Naples. Is my well-behaved pooch allowed on the beaches? How about Key Largo? (planning a day trip there). Thanks!

Each town/beach will have its own rules.

Any ideas on how to find this out ahead of travel time?

Try calling each Citys Chamber or the beach(es) themselves.

Thanks - will do!

To the best of my knowledge dogs are not allowed on the beach unless you are a permanent resident and obtain a special permit. Then they are only allowed on the beach during certain hours.

As A permanant resident and not a "snowbird" I would like to say just one thing......KEEP YOUR DOG OFFOUR BEACHES!!!

I feel the same way. No offense to dog lovers but we've got enough "crap" on our beaches as it is (!) Thanks, John.

Thanks for the warm replies; can't wait to visit such friendly people!

What beach in Key Largo are you planning on visiting?

Jen, ignore the bad comments. Call the City and find out the info on your own. John and Meg are not the majority.

XXX, let's take a poll. I'd bet that John and Meg ARE in the majority (although that majority is NEVER as vocal as the pet owners). I throw in my hat with them (and just in case they can't catch very well, I'd prefer it to land on a CLEAN beach).

I love dogs, I really really do. But unless you have your own private beach, dogs just don't belong there. You have to understand that and not take it personally. People let their dogs poop on the beach and don't clean it up, they let their dogs off the leash and they knock over drinks, food, and spray sand. They get into fights, bark at people and seabirds, scare people and even bite them sometimes. The make doggie love and embarass mom and the kids. It's hard enough to keep people under control but when you add animals to the equation its an impossible situation. I hope you can understand this because I say it with best intentions and with all the love in the world for animals and dogs in particular.

What if an owner picks up after his/her dog ? Regarding the other 'problem', what if a dog is sterilized ? And what if a dog is on a leash ? Would you let one in onto one of your beaches ?

Why does everyone have well-behaved dogs and well-behaved kids? Who owns/is responsible for all those that are otherwise? I have never met anyone who thinks their kid is a brat or who admits their dog is vicious. People don't seem to be very good judges of their own behavior, much less that of their children or pets. So while setting strict rules for dog behavior would be fine, since people don't follow rules for people, why would you think dogs would? Rude dog owners around here like to walk their dogs on school playing fields and not clean up the mess, so why do you think people would clean up on a beach. At least on a playing field you would be wearing shoes when you stepping in dog cr-p. So sorry, I hope no beaches allow dogs.

To "Dog"...alas, it is always the "good" people who pay for the behavior of the bad. What community would have the time or money to individually screen each dog and their owner?

Dogs and beaches were made for each other -- there is no portrait of joy that is more perfect than a dog racing down a beach, playing with waves, chasing a frisbee. <BR><BR>I hate the owners that don't clean up after their dogs just as much as all those crabby people who posted anti-dog posts above -- probably more, because they ruin it for the responsible dog owners.<BR><BR>But I have one last question for the anti-dog people: Do you expect the sea-gulls, terns, crabs, clams, or the wild ponies on NC beaches to wear diapers?

This is to everyone who is against dogs at the beach. How about the filthy people who smoke who leave cigarette butts in the sand. Do you think that's sanitary? No matter how many times a machine goes by to pick them up, I always see them. Why can't people bring an ashtray or cup to the beach. Dirty filthy pigs.<BR><BR>Jen:<BR><BR>Unlike the Northeast beach town, summer in Florida is the off-season so maybe you'll have some

To Marlon and Steph,<BR>Paws up to you! <BR><BR>To all of the dog haters,<BR>I hope my buddies leave something in your yard

Where do we stand on a) rednecks (or whomever) who work up a big hocker and then spits it on to the beach;<BR>b) people who smoke and leave the cig. butts on the beach;<BR>c) people who change their precious babies' diaper on the beach, in plain view. Not to mention those who have actually LEFT the dirty diaper on the beach; and<BR>d) those people who really, really shouldn't be wearing revealing bathing suits but do. Hmmmm? Any answers? Are the beachs just for the super-tidy, super-thin, super-arrogant people.

I would rather a bunch of dogs on our beaches instead of these loud, rude and dirty spring break kids.

I think a lot of you are missing the point, probably on purpose. We all realize that all bad behaviors can't be banned from the beaches, but most people can see the benefit of doing what we can to limit them, i.e. keeping dogs off the beaches, banning glass containers, automobiles, motorbikes, nude bathing (except where designated), etc.

Doglover you need to go back to your dog house. You missed the point. Even with rules, the beaches are a mess. There will always be a problem.

Jen-Key West has a dog beach.<BR><BR>Check out:<BR>www.geocities.com/Heartland/3961/dog-love.htm <BR>or<BR>petswelcome.com

Nobody missed the point dog lover - not even on purpose. There was a simple question asked and people like you took offense to it.

I gave a reasonable answer to the question of dogs on beaches, how do you think I took offense, "x"?

Oh and by the way, who are "people like me?"

Hey! Doglover! If you cant answer the original question dont say anything at all.

I do not see what dog lover said that has anyone upset. Here in the NE, the beaches always are dog free during the day, some allow dogs in the evenings.There are big fines if caught not picking up after dogs.<BR>You have to remember, that sand not only has a lot of bare feet on it during the day, but a lot of babies and small children digging in it.Would you like your little ones sitting in urine soaked and whatever else, sand and playing, sticking their hands in their mouths?<BR>There should be some places that you can bring dogs, and some places just for people.

As you can see by the above responses to doglover's reasonable and measured posts, many pet owners are at least irrational, and can't be relied upon to control themselves, much less their pets. THAT is why so many of us don't want dogs on the beaches; it's not the dogs, it's YOU!

Thats the silliest post yet. You must own a cat.

which post is silly?<BR>dogs don't pee in the sand?<BR>actually, it has been my unfortunate luck to be in the Hamptons when a man peed in the sand, so maybe we should let the dogs loose and leash the owners.

Some of the prettiest beaches in Florida are also state parks.<BR>They do not allow dogs on them at anytime.<BR><BR>Key West has a dog beach.<BR>Check around, I'm sure there are some on FL's west coast as well.<BR><BR>

Dog-gone it! You guys are cracking me up. There are no bad dogs, just bad dog owners. I take my pooch for a walk daily at 6 a.m. and even though it's still very dark outside, with no witnesses in sight, I always scoop the poo (even in the snow and ice, you sand snobs). Anyhow, Fido and I will be visiting the beaches of sunny Floriday, scooper in hand (or paw?). . . . .but I will be looking for some of those ponies and seagulls to diaper. Thanks for the funny replies (see, I took none of the vile remarks seriously from those posters who are obviously latent cat-lovers).

LOL Jen!!

Jen, I would seriously advise you to check the beach you are at regarding their dog laws. In Destin the fine was around $500 for taking fido on the beach.