Where and When Are Dogs Allowed On the Beach?
Photos
Did you know... that dogs are never, ever allowed on all ocean beaches that are part of the New Hampshire state park system?
That includes Hampton Beach, North Beach in Hampton, North Hampton State Beach, and Jenness Beach and Wallis Sands in Rye. That includes summer and winter, fall and spring. That includes dawn and dusk, and days when the weather is so awful that almost nobody wants to go to the beach anyway.
You are amazed, right? Because you see dogs on some of these beaches a lot. Okay, for proof here is a link to the NH State Parks Pets Policy. If a park isn't on the list, no pets are permitted. None of our ocean beaches make the list.
This is a dumb law, for two reasons.
1. It is inconsistent with dog rules in effect at all town beaches in the Seacoast. Town beaches and state beaches are sometimes immediately adjacent to each other, with no visible boundary mark. This is especially true on either side of Jenness Beach and the southern end of North Hampton State Beach, and these state beaches are important access points onto these town beaches.
2. The no-dogs rule is so inconsistently enforced that people don't realize it is a law. People see dogs on strands like North Beach after dinner on pleasant summer evenings, for example, and think dogs must be allowed there - so they bring their own dogs to the beach too.
At North Hampton State Beach, there is just one sign that says “No Dogs” (and for several years it was too faded to read). If you don’t happen to enter the beach through an opening in the wall near that sign, you would not know it’s the rule.
The town laws make more sense. In general, owner-supervised, well-behaved dogs are permitted at all times in the off season; in summer, they are allowed to romp and play and swim and sniff on town beaches in the early mornings and in the evenings.
From the Hampton Police Department Animal Control Ordinance page, Sec. 1:111: "A. Animals will be permitted on the Town of Hampton beaches from Labor Day to Memorial Day any time. Section 1:110 (Animal Waste) will be enforced throughout the year. B. Animals will be allowed on the Town of Hampton Beaches from Memorial Day to Labor Day only after 6 p.m. in the evening and before 8 a.m. in the morning."
In North Hampton, "It shall be unlawful for any dog to run at large an any bathing beach between the hours of 10:00AM and 6:00PM from June 15th to September 15th of each year." But that does not supercede the state no-dogs rule at North Hampton State Beach, so presumably it only applies at rocky Bass Beach.
From the Rye Police Department Beach Information page: "Dogs are prohibited from town beaches from 9am to 7pm beginning the Saturday before Memorial Day and ending the Saturday after Labor Day. Dogs are never permitted at state beaches and parks. Dog waste must be picked up immediately by its owner."
In my dreams, every beach in the Seacoast permits dogs after hours in summer (with dates and times consistent from town to town!) and at all times in the off season. And of course my dreams include consistent enforcement, clear signage and, most importantly, conscientious dog owners who pick up after their (polite and non-scary) pets.
Sunny
8:51 am on Wednesday, June 13, 2012
I disagree with you. Dogs should NOT be allowed on beaches. They P everywhere and then some poor person winds up sitting in it or walking in it-it's disgusting. There are many people who dislike dogs, are allergic, or are simply afraid of them. It's disrespectful. They are not people-they are dogs, and the law says they're not allowed on beaches. Same goes for the people who bring their dogs into retail stores-it's against the law and it's disgusting when the owner lets it P in the floor.Keep your pets at home where they belong!!
V
12:51 pm on Thursday, October 11, 2012
You're a miserable ignorant idiot. I'm allergic to dogs and I have two. I also keep them leashed and pick up after them. I have been to many beaches where inconsiderate parents allow their children to pee and they leave soiled diapers on the beach for all to see and smell. Most of the garbage and debris that is strewn everywhere is the inconsiderate result of humans. So take a pill, get a hold of reality and stay off the beach! You're annoying my dogs!
angela g
12:58 am on Tuesday, February 12, 2013
The same could go for some children that are allowed on the beach.
doglover
9:27 am on Wednesday, June 13, 2012
You know what is also disgusting? Kids that pee in the water and others have to swim in it. Should we keep kids off the beach too? I think they are even more disgusting and misbehaved than most dogs.
V
12:53 pm on Thursday, October 11, 2012
I love it!!! LOL!! I completely agree.
june white
10:22 am on Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Most dog owners take their dogs off their leashes the minute they hit the beach, so he can run free, my grandson was attached by one of those dogs. I see dogs on Hampton Beach all the time and plenty of owners do NOT pick up after them. The signs at Hampton Beach that say No Dogs Allowed are at every entrance onto the beach but dog owners ignore them. It's the law and their waste contaminates the sand and water. They don't belong on our beaches and people should respect that.
angela g
12:59 am on Tuesday, February 12, 2013
not all dogs are attackers. anyone who says otherwise is one of those people who train then to attack.
june white
10:23 am on Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Most dog owners take their dogs off their leashes the minute they hit the beach, so he can run free, my grandson was attacked by one of those dogs. I see dogs on Hampton Beach all the time and plenty of owners do NOT pick up after them. The signs at Hampton Beach that say No Dogs Allowed are at every entrance onto the beach but dog owners ignore them. It's the law and their waste contaminates the sand and water. They don't belong on our beaches and people should respect that.
Itsme
11:23 am on Wednesday, June 13, 2012
I believe that well-controlled dogs with conscientious owners should be allowed on the beaches at all times. You people who complain about dog urination and defecation make me laugh - have you ever considered how many gallons of whale pee and tons of fish poop are in the ocean?! Not to mention the sewage and pollution dumped in by humans...
Amy Kane
11:33 am on Wednesday, June 13, 2012
A dog that attacks people should not be off a leash anywhere, beach or otherwise. Dog owners should pick up, bag and remove their dog's poop from beaches, as well as sidewalks, parks, etc. There are state and local laws about dog waste and dogs at large in all public areas (not just the beach) that should be respected and enforced, for public safety. Banning all dogs from beaches at all times (the middle of winter??) seems like a draconian response to a specific problem of bad behavior by just some dog owners.
Itsme
11:41 am on Wednesday, June 13, 2012
I agree. The dogs are not to blame; it is the owners who must be held responsible. In Europe there are 'dog waste bins' conveniently located just about everywhere; cities and towns provide bags and places to dispose of the waste. I can't imagine it would cost the tax-payer that much - perhaps it could come out of the dog licensing fee?
Amy Kane
11:59 am on Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Blue Ocean Society recently started a Pet Waste Outreach Program, with funding from NHDES and local businesses. They have installed biodegradable bag dispensers at some local beaches for bagging pet waste. More info: http://blueoceansociety.org/Research/pet_project.html (Maybe I'll do a post on this topic soon!)
Kyle Stucker
12:21 pm on Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Thanks for the great information, Amy!
Yvonne
4:48 pm on Wednesday, June 13, 2012
I have seen dogs defacate on the beach, in the ocean & on the rocks. Owners laugh & keep on walking. For this reason dogs do not belong on the beach. Also dogs are never suppose to be off a leash. Until the laws are enforced, we beach lovers will have to put up with lots of crap.
BEACH
8:35 pm on Wednesday, June 13, 2012
The Horses dumping all over the beach, in the water are worse than the dogs. The responsible dog owners, do take the time to pick up their dogs mess. The HORSES and their riders should be banned. Horse waste is more of a hazardous waste, more contaminated waste, than dogs. The horse persons NEVER clean up their waste. Plus they run so fast on the main beach they eventually will hit and hurt someone, severely.
Chris M.
10:02 am on Thursday, June 14, 2012
I see two issues at play here - cleaning up after your dog and dogs generally being allowed at the beach. I'll address the first issue as I think most people (including dog lovers) would agree that any animal waste needs to be picked up and disposed of correctly. I walk my dogs on the beach almost every day and always make sure I bring poop bags with me. I do think the town of Hampton and the State could do a better job in "enabling" dog owners--they remove all trash receptacles at the beach for the off-season which means I have to carry the poop back home with me.
Yvonne
9:17 am on Saturday, June 16, 2012
Chris M.
Admitting to breaking the law is not O.K.
Our Beaches are more like a doggy park
Amy Kane
5:32 pm on Thursday, June 14, 2012
In the off season at North Hampton Beach, I have seen lots of bagged dog poop left near the wall and bathrooms where people expect trash cans to be. Our beaches are becoming a bit more of a year-round destination, as the population grows.
Julie
8:44 pm on Friday, June 22, 2012
I would like to simply say children, yes human children, poop and pee on the beach. Teenagers leave trash and junk evrywere. Oh and let's not forget wonderful adults, they allow their children do the above and worse. You may ask why well that's simply because said children learn from their parents. Parents will leave trash and cigarette butts everywhere. Hello that's down right puke worthy! Yes, I agree dogs should be on a leash for cases of attacks and such because most children should be taught not to run up to a dog with their arms out acting all crazy. I also agree that a select few dog owners put a bad name out there for others because they are too lazy to pick up their dogs poop. However said owners are probably the ones with the naughty gross children. :-)
Hampton resident
3:47 pm on Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Our former town (Evanston IL) had extensive beaches along Lake Michigan. One of these was designated as dog beach. It was divided from the other sections of the lake by jetties, and from the other beaches by chain link fence. Owners paid an annual fee to purchase a beach pass for their dogs, and gate staff served during the season to check passes and enforce good dog/owner behavior, including cleaning up. Seemed to work well for all concerned.